In my part of the country, we are constantly trying to keep the critters out from under our sail/bimini covers, as they love to get in there, build a nest and make a big mess, especially on white sails. Even when we knock down the nests, they leave brown stains. About two months ago I started putting strips of Bounce fabric softner on each snap along the bottom of the sail cover and on the part of the cover that is secured along the forward part of the mast. They work...have not had a critter of any sort get up in my sail yet this summer.
Mud Daubbers
- Thread starter Big Windy
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Mud Daubbers!!...Cormorants
Now these critters make some SERIOUS shit. I use my boat at least twice a week. Two weeks ago a gang of these guys decided my boat was their home,... and toilet!! The entire boat was covered(in just three days). Now I consider myself an animal lover, but this can lead to hate in a hurry. Spent 4 man hours cleaning the decks and put up yellow construction site tape and monofilament line on top of the spreaders so they can't land and bomb from above. Now they're using someone elses boat.
Now these critters make some SERIOUS shit. I use my boat at least twice a week. Two weeks ago a gang of these guys decided my boat was their home,... and toilet!! The entire boat was covered(in just three days). Now I consider myself an animal lover, but this can lead to hate in a hurry. Spent 4 man hours cleaning the decks and put up yellow construction site tape and monofilament line on top of the spreaders so they can't land and bomb from above. Now they're using someone elses boat.
Moth Balls
also work in reducing mud daubbers. I hang several small mesh bags in my sail cover and in various lockers filled with moth balls. This doesn't bother the wasps thou. And the spiders just laugh at the moth balls.
also work in reducing mud daubbers. I hang several small mesh bags in my sail cover and in various lockers filled with moth balls. This doesn't bother the wasps thou. And the spiders just laugh at the moth balls.
Mud daubers love tank vent thru-hulls...
Especially holding tank vents. So check 'em regularly and keep 'em cleaned out. They'll build a nest in any small enclosure that they can pack with mud--which is why they like your furled sails. I even had mud dauber nests in my grill piping!
Especially holding tank vents. So check 'em regularly and keep 'em cleaned out. They'll build a nest in any small enclosure that they can pack with mud--which is why they like your furled sails. I even had mud dauber nests in my grill piping!
No Pest Strips!
We use no pest strips in the sail cover and in the lazarettes to control the insects. Doggie flea collars help in the stanchions and pulpits. It is just a constant problem so stay after it. You may also want to clean out your tank vents periodically to prevent nesting in them. If it is a water tank or holding tank just flush them out. Obviously, you cannot do this with the fuel!!!
We use no pest strips in the sail cover and in the lazarettes to control the insects. Doggie flea collars help in the stanchions and pulpits. It is just a constant problem so stay after it. You may also want to clean out your tank vents periodically to prevent nesting in them. If it is a water tank or holding tank just flush them out. Obviously, you cannot do this with the fuel!!!
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