Is your time aboard being bugged by bugs? If you, which critter is causing you problems? The winged variety like mosquitoes, bees, wasps, or flies? How about the ever-unpopular spider? Are they crawling into your quite times aboard? Or, do you live in a climate where roaches are your bane? How do you cope with problem and what are you most effective solutions? Share your solutions here then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
L
LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
Bugs
Right now my boat is a moving mass of black bodies, of the eight legged variety. Luckily, and mysteriously, they pretty much keep the the outside. If they're dumb enough to come inside, they get it! But I don't really mind the outside spiders too much cuz I know they keep the other, more annoying bugs in check. What I really hate are wasps (mud-daubers). They're always trying to find a home in my boat. LaDonna
Right now my boat is a moving mass of black bodies, of the eight legged variety. Luckily, and mysteriously, they pretty much keep the the outside. If they're dumb enough to come inside, they get it! But I don't really mind the outside spiders too much cuz I know they keep the other, more annoying bugs in check. What I really hate are wasps (mud-daubers). They're always trying to find a home in my boat. LaDonna
B
Bill
A
Alex
Those Damn Gnats
It seems that every time i take my boat off the dock, i get attacked by gnats or look alikes of the things. They won't leave me alone, except when we go below deck, but that doesn't always do the trick since they always. One way or another, find their way in.
It seems that every time i take my boat off the dock, i get attacked by gnats or look alikes of the things. They won't leave me alone, except when we go below deck, but that doesn't always do the trick since they always. One way or another, find their way in.
K
Ken Palmer
ankle biters
Small black flies inhabit Lake Ontario. If you are caught out on the lake with little or no wind, you better have a fly swatter. They attack your anles, and boy do they ever bite!
Small black flies inhabit Lake Ontario. If you are caught out on the lake with little or no wind, you better have a fly swatter. They attack your anles, and boy do they ever bite!
M
Mark Hirschman
Flying Biters
Flying objects which bite are my primary pest. Green headed flies bite hard but are slow and generally easily killed .... unless they bite while you are trying to complete a turn into the dock or while you are coming about!! While docked.. gnats and mosquitos are the biggest disturbers of R
Flying objects which bite are my primary pest. Green headed flies bite hard but are slow and generally easily killed .... unless they bite while you are trying to complete a turn into the dock or while you are coming about!! While docked.. gnats and mosquitos are the biggest disturbers of R
M
mark stevens
keep them ashore
We cant do much about the fying variety other than screens, but we make sure that all food stuffs are removed from boxes and pachaging at the dock or in the dingy and put into plastic containers before comming aboard. You would be supprised how many critters and their eggs get on board from packaging materials
We cant do much about the fying variety other than screens, but we make sure that all food stuffs are removed from boxes and pachaging at the dock or in the dingy and put into plastic containers before comming aboard. You would be supprised how many critters and their eggs get on board from packaging materials
B
Bob
Bug Bother
Hi Here in RI the biggest problem is biting flies, and they're not really numerous.I have purchased a 3-set of personal electronic repellers by Coleman but haven't had the opportunity to try them out yet. .........Bob
Hi Here in RI the biggest problem is biting flies, and they're not really numerous.I have purchased a 3-set of personal electronic repellers by Coleman but haven't had the opportunity to try them out yet. .........Bob
K
Kevin
Fighting bugs with sound
My biggest problem is no-see-ems. Between them and mos. I stay pretty well chewed up. What I have found is that on my catalina 22 if I put one of those ultrasonic devices right on the lip of the companion way that it keeps them away. Not only will it make cockpit lounging enjoyable, but also makes sleeping in the V-berth bit free. It has a range, so they say, of about 15' and I picked it up from those junk catalogs that you get in the mail. Of course the question is if you can't hear it, how do you know it's on?
My biggest problem is no-see-ems. Between them and mos. I stay pretty well chewed up. What I have found is that on my catalina 22 if I put one of those ultrasonic devices right on the lip of the companion way that it keeps them away. Not only will it make cockpit lounging enjoyable, but also makes sleeping in the V-berth bit free. It has a range, so they say, of about 15' and I picked it up from those junk catalogs that you get in the mail. Of course the question is if you can't hear it, how do you know it's on?
T
Ted
Spiders
Spiders hate fabric softener strips. Put em in your drawers behind stuff in sail bags, everywhere and they seem to chase them away. Last about a month.
Spiders hate fabric softener strips. Put em in your drawers behind stuff in sail bags, everywhere and they seem to chase them away. Last about a month.
J
Jim Rushing
In North Texas
Here in North Texas we have mainly spiders and mud-daubers, with some hornets. Placing mesh bags with moth balls in them inside sail covers and lockers will chase away the Flying critters. However, I have yet to find anything that runs off the spiders. I use Vicor spider spray when I can, but the rain washes it off.
Here in North Texas we have mainly spiders and mud-daubers, with some hornets. Placing mesh bags with moth balls in them inside sail covers and lockers will chase away the Flying critters. However, I have yet to find anything that runs off the spiders. I use Vicor spider spray when I can, but the rain washes it off.
S
Steve Winkle
Spider Fighter
I stumbled across a spider repellant from Nautical in England that is essentially Oil of Cloves in water that is sprayed on fabric areas such as the bimini and sail covers. It tends to keep them away from those areas, however I have yet to find anything that keeps them off the boat. in general. I have heard that tick and flea collars, wrapped around dock lines will repel spiders, so I guess that's the next trick I'll try. It is a real "web" of intrigue.
I stumbled across a spider repellant from Nautical in England that is essentially Oil of Cloves in water that is sprayed on fabric areas such as the bimini and sail covers. It tends to keep them away from those areas, however I have yet to find anything that keeps them off the boat. in general. I have heard that tick and flea collars, wrapped around dock lines will repel spiders, so I guess that's the next trick I'll try. It is a real "web" of intrigue.
C
Camw
Reducing flying insect poroblems.
Something I read on the internet. I keep a package of Bounce (for drying clothes) on board. I hang a sheet near the hatch openings. So far it has kept the flying bugs away. Have not had a problem all summer (in Baltimore).
Something I read on the internet. I keep a package of Bounce (for drying clothes) on board. I hang a sheet near the hatch openings. So far it has kept the flying bugs away. Have not had a problem all summer (in Baltimore).
J
Joe Gooch
"Bomb THEM to the Stone AGE"
The spiders and others are trying to take over. Bomb them away with a gallon of "Home Defense" with a good spray nozzle. Works on sailboats, houseboats, etc. Soak the lines as well for they crawl up these lines to get onto the boat--some may arrive in the wind as well. It works--cleaner boats with less of you know what. Joe
The spiders and others are trying to take over. Bomb them away with a gallon of "Home Defense" with a good spray nozzle. Works on sailboats, houseboats, etc. Soak the lines as well for they crawl up these lines to get onto the boat--some may arrive in the wind as well. It works--cleaner boats with less of you know what. Joe
W
WHITE WHALE
KILL the ROACHES
HERE IN THE CARIBBEAN THE BIG PROBLEMS IS ROACHES BUT THE SULUTION IS EASY TAKE BEER BOTLE CAPS ALWAYS PLENTY ON BORD or you have to invide a friendly person for a day FILL THEM WITH A SUPSTANCE OF CONDENSATE MILK AND BORIC ACID LET THE MIX DRY FOR A DAY OR TWO OR TILL ITS LOOK GLASSY THEN PUT THE CAPS ALL OVER YOUR BOAT IN CABINETTE'S ECT. THE ROACHES WILL EAT THE STUF AND DIE IT WILL WORK ALSO PREFENTIVE BECAUSE IT ALSO KILL'S THE LITLE ONE'S
HERE IN THE CARIBBEAN THE BIG PROBLEMS IS ROACHES BUT THE SULUTION IS EASY TAKE BEER BOTLE CAPS ALWAYS PLENTY ON BORD or you have to invide a friendly person for a day FILL THEM WITH A SUPSTANCE OF CONDENSATE MILK AND BORIC ACID LET THE MIX DRY FOR A DAY OR TWO OR TILL ITS LOOK GLASSY THEN PUT THE CAPS ALL OVER YOUR BOAT IN CABINETTE'S ECT. THE ROACHES WILL EAT THE STUF AND DIE IT WILL WORK ALSO PREFENTIVE BECAUSE IT ALSO KILL'S THE LITLE ONE'S
S
Sean
Spider Bite
Here is another reason to keep those pesky spiders at bay. I sail in an interior lake in Central Texas (Lake Travis) where spiders are one of the biggest probs to deal with. I thought I had them under control (using "home safe" water based pesicide, as the webs were down to a minimum. Then about one months ago my ear started swelling and turning purple. I hate doctors so I just dealt with it figuring it would eventually go away. Well it finally started oozing after four or five days so I had my girl friend look at it and swab it down with alchohol. As soon as she lightly pressed on the spot, puss came running out of what she described as two side by side holes in the ear (spider fangs?) It continued to ooze for a week. I am just glad it wasn't a brown recluse (sp?) otherwise I would have lost my damn ear! I believe I was bit while I was sleeping in the cockpit, about a week previor to the first notice of swelling. Texas summer's usually require cockpit berths at night, plus the stars are a plus! Not sure I can get my girlfriend to sleep in the cockpit after this one though! Sean C27 Austin, TX
Here is another reason to keep those pesky spiders at bay. I sail in an interior lake in Central Texas (Lake Travis) where spiders are one of the biggest probs to deal with. I thought I had them under control (using "home safe" water based pesicide, as the webs were down to a minimum. Then about one months ago my ear started swelling and turning purple. I hate doctors so I just dealt with it figuring it would eventually go away. Well it finally started oozing after four or five days so I had my girl friend look at it and swab it down with alchohol. As soon as she lightly pressed on the spot, puss came running out of what she described as two side by side holes in the ear (spider fangs?) It continued to ooze for a week. I am just glad it wasn't a brown recluse (sp?) otherwise I would have lost my damn ear! I believe I was bit while I was sleeping in the cockpit, about a week previor to the first notice of swelling. Texas summer's usually require cockpit berths at night, plus the stars are a plus! Not sure I can get my girlfriend to sleep in the cockpit after this one though! Sean C27 Austin, TX
N
Ned Strain
Flea Collars
This year we tried the pet flea collar approach. Cut and wired one around the base of each stanchion. Not noticible and seems to be doing the job - at least in comparision to neighboring boats. We also try to keep the boat clean - especially during August which apparently is a big month for spider celebrations. We do the other obvious things too - spray sail covers, dodger, etc. We also use a "kill strip" hanging in the cabin - works very well (although it's probably slowly killing us too!) Ned and Tani Strain s/v Family Therapy h366 1995 Chicago
This year we tried the pet flea collar approach. Cut and wired one around the base of each stanchion. Not noticible and seems to be doing the job - at least in comparision to neighboring boats. We also try to keep the boat clean - especially during August which apparently is a big month for spider celebrations. We do the other obvious things too - spray sail covers, dodger, etc. We also use a "kill strip" hanging in the cabin - works very well (although it's probably slowly killing us too!) Ned and Tani Strain s/v Family Therapy h366 1995 Chicago
B
Bill Robb
L
Larry and Carol Schroeder
Hot Shot!
So far, we've solved our spider problem with HOT SHOT (for spiders)---spray can in the pest section. We spray our lines, around the dock, dock box, under our bimini and dodger---and have pretty good luck. The big ones freak me out!!! Like the fabric softener suggestion---and the ultrasonic sound device. May try that next year. No-one mentioned the "Bug Buster" screen. We love ours for the mosquito months and highly recommend it (in the Chandlery). Only other real pests are the biting black flies that hit us in swarms once a year. Skin-So-Soft (Avon) does a pretty good job. They sure like to ruin a good sail. Even the wind can't keep them at bay.
So far, we've solved our spider problem with HOT SHOT (for spiders)---spray can in the pest section. We spray our lines, around the dock, dock box, under our bimini and dodger---and have pretty good luck. The big ones freak me out!!! Like the fabric softener suggestion---and the ultrasonic sound device. May try that next year. No-one mentioned the "Bug Buster" screen. We love ours for the mosquito months and highly recommend it (in the Chandlery). Only other real pests are the biting black flies that hit us in swarms once a year. Skin-So-Soft (Avon) does a pretty good job. They sure like to ruin a good sail. Even the wind can't keep them at bay.
J
Jim Shaffer
No Problem
We don't have a problem here in Baltimore Inner Harbor. When we are sailing and experience black flies or mosquietos, we use a NEW Avon skon so soft bug repellant extra mositurizer. It is available with or without sun block. It really works!
We don't have a problem here in Baltimore Inner Harbor. When we are sailing and experience black flies or mosquietos, we use a NEW Avon skon so soft bug repellant extra mositurizer. It is available with or without sun block. It really works!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.