Bilge Rats- Who'da thought

[shipwreck66]

Apparently during the recent remodel and reflooring of our marina restaurant the resident rat population moved out onto the docks and took up residence on the boats. I openned my boat Sunday and found that about a third of my interior cushions had been chewed on somewhere. A wicker basket we keep food in was shredded to pieces, ironically the rats didn't even touch the food. The varmits even shredded an entire roll of bilge sheets I had behind a cushion. And oh yes, little pellets everywhere. All of this took place in the course of a week. I removed all cushions from boat, scrubbed all surfaces with Simple Green and vacuumed out all the guana. I checked everywhere and they appeared to have vacated the boat for greener pastures, but I left a trap just in case. Any ideas how to keep them from ever returning? All marinas have them running underneath docks along water lines and electrical conduits, we just luckily rarely see them.

 

[stephen Penny]

This occurred to my ski boat in my garage. In my case I replaced all the foam, upholstery and carpet on the boat and washed the boat with white vinegar to remove the rat/mice urine and feces scent. I also washed the garage floor with white vinegar to remove the rat/mice urine and feces scent. I then sealed all the ingresses and placed steel wool, rat/mice bate and sticky pads at all possible ingresses to my garage where I store my boat. This eliminated the issue. I wish no one this experience.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Any ideas how to keep them from ever returning?

Two issues: How'd they get in, meaning cowls and vents, and How'd they get aboard docklines?

Examine those and you'll know.

How far can a rat jump if he's thrown out of the yacht club?

 

[rpwillia]

Reply for Stu

... How far can a rat jump if he's thrown out of the yacht club?

Stu, Some times it is a real bear to get that rats out of the yacht club!

 

[emilbec]

Solution

The best solution is for the marina to get a couple of cats and let them roam around the yard.

 

[Kermit]

...the rats didn't even touch the food.

The food must have been cooked by my ex-wife. I'm not kidding. She made lasagna once that the dogs wouldn't even eat.

 

[Steve Dion]

Funnels on all of the lines are a good way to start. I don't know if there is a SURE-FIRE method. We had an invasion a few years back that I never want to see repeated again so we "Try" to be be diligent about removing anything that may attract them. We either put stuff in the refrigerator or in the microwave.

PS: You may need a "herd" of cats to prevent all the invaders from boarding the vessel. arrrg!

 

[Ken13559]

I had rats visited my boat several times. The last straw, I suss out holes and cavaties where potentially they could enter the boat from and fitted SS wire meshing to prevent entry. I haven't seen them on my boat since ...fingers cross.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Sorry to hear this Shipwreck!
In a failed attempt to keep birds off my GS 41 bought the double bubble pack Black and Decker "ultrasonic pest repellant" from Wally World and placed one under the dodger pointing up. Didn't seem to bother the birds at all. Also tried them on my Morgan for wasps with the same result.
I think ultrasonic would work just not these crappy units.
Also, on rodent control from: http://eartheasy.com/grow_nat_pest_cntrl.htm#e

Rodent Control
First, secure any open food sources, especially the compost bin. Sealed compost bins, such as compost tumblers, are recommended if you have rodents in your garden. As a deterrent, soak a rag or cotton balls in oil of peppermint (found at most health food stores), and place in areas of rodent activity. Place under an eve or under a cover that will keep the rain from diluting the peppermint. Rodents are allergic to peppermint and will avoid it.
This method is also effective at deterring rabbits.



Got to keep those pesky rabbits off the boat!

 

[Benny17441]

That is a real problem as they like to chew on the insulation of electrical wires and hoses. There is a trick RVrs use and that is to stick those fabric softener sheets, used to dry clothes, in all the likely points of entry. There is something about the smell that drives them away. We have had our problems but traps have never worked for us. We had one causing havoc with our electronics and finally resorted to poison. It is not advised as the rat will probably die in a place that you cannot get to and it will stink but we were at our witts end. We never felt any smell but months latter found the dried out carcass of the rat in a stern lazarette. We always clean the boat after each use and never leave any food aboard but they still come in, probably to get away from the weather. The best thing to do is be observant for any droppings and attack them quick and hard. Traps, spray bombs and poison.

 

[RichH]

Sorry to hear this Shipwreck!
In a failed attempt to keep birds off my GS 41 bought the double bubble pack Black and Decker "ultrasonic pest repellant" from Wally World and placed one under the dodger pointing up. Didn't seem to bother the birds at all. Also tried them on my Morgan for wasps with the same result.
I think ultrasonic would work just not these crappy units.
Also, on rodent control from: http://eartheasy.com/grow_nat_pest_cntrl.htm#e

Rodent Control
First, secure any open food sources, especially the compost bin. Sealed compost bins, such as compost tumblers, are recommended if you have rodents in your garden. As a deterrent, soak a rag or cotton balls in oil of peppermint (found at most health food stores), and place in areas of rodent activity. Place under an eve or under a cover that will keep the rain from diluting the peppermint. Rodents are allergic to peppermint and will avoid it.

.... ditto peppermint oil ... and ADD clove 'heads' or clove oil to the 'mix'. Rats (and mice) probably HATE cloves more than they do peppermint. I use this mix in my barn for 'rodent avoidance' with good results.

 

[jrowan]

I wonder if the cloves & peppermint oil would work for getting rid of moles & voles tunneling in our garden. As I'm usually out sailing most of the summer months, they wreak havoc on what's left of the lawn. ps. We have quite a hunter of a cat & even he can't catch em all. I knew that rats are a big problem in big city ports. Haven't seen them in our lil' Gloucester marina, yet. YIKES!

 

[shipwreck66]

Oddly, the only food on boat was crackers and trailmix in sealed packages, and they didn't even touch those, just chewed on the cushions and crapped everywhere. I'll try the peppermint and cloves. Pretty sure they entered through the starboard vent that leads down to fuel tank compartment. Even found droppings around the stuffing box.

 

[Merlin Clark]

.... ditto peppermint oil ... and ADD clove 'heads' or clove oil to the 'mix'. Rats (and mice) probably HATE cloves more than they do peppermint. I use this mix in my barn for 'rodent avoidance' with good results.

Sounds like a plan, thanks!

 

[shipwreck66]

Just an update. Opened the boat today to find a very big long tail sticking out of the trap. Apparently the marina personnel didn't, as they said they would, check the trap earlier this week and his carcass has been in there all week. Luckily there was no further sign of another rat and I left peppermint oil soaked cotton balls in the air vents to discourage further spelunkers. I also deposited the trap containing rat with tail sticking out on marina managers desk with my compliments for his hard work.