Does anyone have a good method of eliminating the proliferation of spiders on a boat? I thought I saw something about an additive that could be added to your boatwash water, but can't seem to find anything on it (may be mistaken).
Getting Rid Of
- Thread starter Allan R
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Bounce
Yeah, the fabric softener sheets that you put in the dryer. Stick them in your sail cover, in the furled jib, behind the zippers at the ends in your bimini and dodger, anywhere the sucker like to hide. Works like a charm.
Yeah, the fabric softener sheets that you put in the dryer. Stick them in your sail cover, in the furled jib, behind the zippers at the ends in your bimini and dodger, anywhere the sucker like to hide. Works like a charm.
No Pest Strips
The Bounce trick does seem to work pretty good and it makes everything smell fresh. I also use No Pest Strips. I hang them inside the boat. I also put them under my sail cover in small pockets we sewn in. It has worked very well so far.
The Bounce trick does seem to work pretty good and it makes everything smell fresh. I also use No Pest Strips. I hang them inside the boat. I also put them under my sail cover in small pockets we sewn in. It has worked very well so far.
spiders
Personally, I like my spiders. They eat other, more toublesome bugs, and the kids are careful about what they grab.
On the other hand, I could swear that some mega spider tied up my wind vane with its web. (it finally moved again after a stong gust) Maybe I'll try bounce, but I'll need a bosun's chair to put it in the right place. Alan
Personally, I like my spiders. They eat other, more toublesome bugs, and the kids are careful about what they grab.
On the other hand, I could swear that some mega spider tied up my wind vane with its web. (it finally moved again after a stong gust) Maybe I'll try bounce, but I'll need a bosun's chair to put it in the right place. AlanDemon
I’ve tried the bounce sheet. I’m not impressed. Maybe you need to change them more often. The no-pest strips do work in enclosed spaces. I haven’t been able to find them lately though. The best thing I have found is Demon. It’s a pesticide that is water-soluble and doesn’t stain fiberglass like most household insecticides that are oil based. I spray beneath the rubrail and other places they like to hide. I spray some of the exposed areas around the push-pulpits but I figure that weather will wash away most. I also spray around the dock. Even as mobile as they are, I can see the difference around my boat compared to my neighbors. Some powerboat friends told me about this stuff. Under their covered slips it is magic. S/V Anodyne Catalina 36' #34
I’ve tried the bounce sheet. I’m not impressed. Maybe you need to change them more often. The no-pest strips do work in enclosed spaces. I haven’t been able to find them lately though. The best thing I have found is Demon. It’s a pesticide that is water-soluble and doesn’t stain fiberglass like most household insecticides that are oil based. I spray beneath the rubrail and other places they like to hide. I spray some of the exposed areas around the push-pulpits but I figure that weather will wash away most. I also spray around the dock. Even as mobile as they are, I can see the difference around my boat compared to my neighbors. Some powerboat friends told me about this stuff. Under their covered slips it is magic. S/V Anodyne Catalina 36' #34
Spider-free cabin
We haven't had any spiders or bugs in the cabin since we got our boat. We use a couple of Spectracide No-Pest Strips inside the cabin. After a few months, we replace them and throw the "spent" ones in the dock box. No bugs there either. We don't use the strips in the mainsail cover. Haven't had critters in there yet. On the outside, we just clean the webs off the shrouds and out of the cockpit when we go out for a sail. The rest of the time, the spiders own the exterior of the boat.
We haven't had any spiders or bugs in the cabin since we got our boat. We use a couple of Spectracide No-Pest Strips inside the cabin. After a few months, we replace them and throw the "spent" ones in the dock box. No bugs there either. We don't use the strips in the mainsail cover. Haven't had critters in there yet. On the outside, we just clean the webs off the shrouds and out of the cockpit when we go out for a sail. The rest of the time, the spiders own the exterior of the boat.
Final solution
Lots of good suggestions here. If they don't work, try this: 1) Wait till hurricane season is over (Nov) 2) Go to Costco, Sam's Club etc. and buy all the provisions the boat can hold. 3) Cruise the Caribbean until all the spiders are gone. 4) Repeat as needed.
Lots of good suggestions here. If they don't work, try this: 1) Wait till hurricane season is over (Nov) 2) Go to Costco, Sam's Club etc. and buy all the provisions the boat can hold. 3) Cruise the Caribbean until all the spiders are gone. 4) Repeat as needed.
Wasps
I don't have spiders probably because I have wasps. Any helpful hints on how to get rid of the stingers (stinkers)?
I don't have spiders probably because I have wasps. Any helpful hints on how to get rid of the stingers (stinkers)?
wasp balls
I got rid of the wasp problem with moth balls. Be sure to air out the cabin before use. I throw a couple balls in the bottom of each cockpit locker, and leave the open box down below. When I get to the boat, I put the box in a big ziplock bag, open the forward hatch, and I'm quickly habitable. My wasp abatement program is working great. But, spiders, the wasp's favorite food, are now overrunning my boat. Pest strips next week. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
I got rid of the wasp problem with moth balls. Be sure to air out the cabin before use. I throw a couple balls in the bottom of each cockpit locker, and leave the open box down below. When I get to the boat, I put the box in a big ziplock bag, open the forward hatch, and I'm quickly habitable. My wasp abatement program is working great. But, spiders, the wasp's favorite food, are now overrunning my boat. Pest strips next week. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
Amazing Problem Solver
Years ago, when I lived aboard my Coronado 35 and had the same pest problem I cam e across a very interesting article in Cruising World on onboard pests. The author revealed a cure for solving roach, spider, etc infestation problems on vessels. Simply, the recipe, which was environmentally safe worked quite well. What was recommended was taking bisquick, baking soda and coca-cola. You make small (pea sized) dough balls using the bisquick, baking soda and coke. Place these behind books, in corners and other DRY places where insects will lurk. What happens is that the coke attracts the insect, the bisquick binds the baking soda which is the "bomb". The insect will consume the pellet and the baking soda will expand in the abdomen killing the critter. I was amazed how many roaches I found dead after a few days that succumb to this simple safe killer. If that slow torture of a insect bothers you, the author recommended the use of "wolf spiders" that will not bite humans in favor of destroying everything on the vessel smaller then them. Imagine one of those guys crawling around your v-berth at night! Try the home-made remedy, it really works. Regards Bob
Years ago, when I lived aboard my Coronado 35 and had the same pest problem I cam e across a very interesting article in Cruising World on onboard pests. The author revealed a cure for solving roach, spider, etc infestation problems on vessels. Simply, the recipe, which was environmentally safe worked quite well. What was recommended was taking bisquick, baking soda and coca-cola. You make small (pea sized) dough balls using the bisquick, baking soda and coke. Place these behind books, in corners and other DRY places where insects will lurk. What happens is that the coke attracts the insect, the bisquick binds the baking soda which is the "bomb". The insect will consume the pellet and the baking soda will expand in the abdomen killing the critter. I was amazed how many roaches I found dead after a few days that succumb to this simple safe killer. If that slow torture of a insect bothers you, the author recommended the use of "wolf spiders" that will not bite humans in favor of destroying everything on the vessel smaller then them. Imagine one of those guys crawling around your v-berth at night! Try the home-made remedy, it really works. Regards Bob
Spider
Read a post eirlier this yr. about dryer sheets. Had spider webs in the bow section of the cabin around the head so I hung a couple of sheets. The next time I went back no webs. So replaced with fresh ones. The next time I opened the cockpit hatch there was that web with the Mr. Spider (good size) waiting for me. I wrestled the critter out. I have wondered if the scent of the sheets forced it to the hatchway and open air? There is something to the sheets.
Read a post eirlier this yr. about dryer sheets. Had spider webs in the bow section of the cabin around the head so I hung a couple of sheets. The next time I went back no webs. So replaced with fresh ones. The next time I opened the cockpit hatch there was that web with the Mr. Spider (good size) waiting for me. I wrestled the critter out. I have wondered if the scent of the sheets forced it to the hatchway and open air? There is something to the sheets.
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