Mice in Boat

[Cape Daysailor]

Hello. My 1976 Helsen 22 is being stored on a trailer with a cover on it. I am not sure if this is an issue I would have, but what are the chances of mice or rats nesting inside? Like I said, the boat is covered, and there is no food inside.
Thank you.

 

[uncledom]

Don't worry, they'll bring their own food.

 

[shemandr]

At least it isn't raccoons.

 

[dlochner]

Is this like snakes in a plane?

I"ve never had a problem with mice. If you are concerned try putting mothballs in the boat or use some Decon poison, if they enter, they'll eat the poison and go look for water before they die.

 

[31seahorse]

"I hate those meeses to pieces!"
On more than one daysailer we have found that mice have chewed the cushions, the foam flotation, and/or the wood. They are not very particular concerning what they gnaw on. The boat also suffers from their presence because of their reluctance to use the portapotty.

The best removal technique I have found is baiting mouse traps with peanut butter. It probably tastes better than Styrofoam or wood. As an alternative you could probably submerge your boat for several hours!!!!!

Best wishes on solving any mouse/squirrel/rodent housing problems.

 

[jwing]

.. what are the chances of mice or rats nesting inside? Like I said, the boat is covered, and there is no food inside.
Thank you.

Based on my experience, I've derived that the probability is exactly 25%.

 

[jwing]

The best removal technique I have found is baiting mouse traps with peanut butter...
Best wishes on solving any mouse/squirrel/rodent housing problems.

To mice in Alabama, nothing says, "Welcome in, please visit more often, and bring your family and friends" than peanut butter served up on a mouse trap. There is no doubt in my mind that baited mouse traps attract more mice than they kill or capture, at least around here. After many winters of losing the rodent war, I have reluctantly gone the poison route. To the coyotes, foxes, hawks, owls, vultures, and snakes that eat the poisoned vermin, I send thoughts and prayers.

 

[JamesG161]

If you are concerned try putting mothballs

In a netted type bag in at least 3 locations. Also helps with mildew.
Repeat often.
Jim...

 

[Cape Daysailor]

Thank you. I am going to see if they are in there, and then use these methods.

 

[Cape Daysailor]

My only concern using poison is that they might die in the boat in some hard to reach spot.

 

[williamtl]

Have your neighbors get a cat. Works for me. Now if I could just train it to get the moles...

 

[Benny17441]

If there are mice in the area where you store your boat the chances of their getting in are higher. Many RV owners use dryer sheets at the usual points of entry to deter them. Dock lines are the usual point of entry for a boat in the water; but for a boat in a trailer it can be the straps and tie downs. The problem with mice is that for some reason they love to chew on the insulation of electrical cables. I advocate for the use of poison as even if they die in a hard to locate place the smell will not last long. The sooner you get rid of them the better.

 

[Cape Daysailor]

Thank you. The easiest way I can see a mouse getting into the boat is climbing up the trailer and somehow squeezing its way up past the swing keel and into the boat.

 

[Cape Daysailor]

Also, besides for the lines holding the cover on the boat, there are no tie downs.

 

[Rick Webb]

Poisoned bait works well along the periphery not in the actual location you are trying to keep them out of. I was told with what I remember as a credible explanation that the poison is of no danger to whatever consumes the unlucky rodent. Not sure where I heard that but I do remember it changing my thoughts on the poison route.

Keeping the vermin under control is only thing cats are useful for rescue a couple and stick them out there.

 

[dlochner]

My only concern using poison is that they might die in the boat in some hard to reach spot.

Make sure the poison is warfarin. This is a blood thinner, it causes internal bleeding and before the critter goes on a better place it gets real thirsty and starts looking for water. If there isn't any water in the boat, it will search for it somewhere else and die there.

The problem with mice is that for some reason they love to chew on the insulation of electrical cables.

Plastics, like wire insulation, vinyl, etc. taste sweet. The mice think this is good. I believe it also causes problems with their digestive system and an untimely demise. Last year they put a hole in my Bimini which was stored in the garage.

To the coyotes, foxes, hawks, owls, vultures, and snakes that eat the poisoned vermin, I send thoughts and prayers.

The amount of warfarin that is ingested by eating a poisoned mouse is pretty small. I had a dog that ate some and he survived just fine. Warfarin is also used as a medication for heart patients. https://www.heart.org/en/health-top...rrhythmia/a-patients-guide-to-taking-warfarin

And: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-CON

 

[Cape Daysailor]

Thank you. There might be a bit of water in the bilge, that’s why I was concerned about how they will look for water after ingesting the poison.

 

[dlochner]

Thank you. There might be a bit of water in the bilge, that’s why I was concerned about how they will look for water after ingesting the poison.

Even if they die in the boat, they don't take long to decompose. About a week and most of the smell will be gone.

 

[Cape Daysailor]

Thank you. If I am lucky, they might not have been able to enter the boat. I just find it hard to imagine how they would climb up the trailer and then find a way inside the boat.

 

[capta]

I found out pretty quickly that for boats in a marina that mice won't hang around very long if the don't have fresh water to drink. I poisoned all the water in the bilges w/bleach and that seems to have chased them off. I'm not so sure that it will work on a trailered boat, but it is worth keeping in mind.