Spiders

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Jun 1, 2010
5
Oday 222 Sebago, Maine
This is the first year that I have docked my O'Day. Previous years we have moored her. What can I use on the docking lines to discourage spiders from climbing aboard? I have heard that lemon or lavender works but I cannot find this in a spray. Any hints?
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Spiders don't climb aboard, they arrive as babies on the wind. I have seen all of my standing rigging streaming silk or gossimer from the masthead to the lifelines.
 

PeteK

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Nov 3, 2008
30
Clipper CM4/c Nordland, WA
Dryer sheets seem to keep the spiders out of my boat. Learned that from some other folks who learned that from some other folks who.....well anyway it works for me!

Pete
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,980
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
Dryer sheets work as well as ...

some stuff we got in a can from Lowe's. Really helped keep the incidence of them down.
 
Sep 21, 2006
280
-Hunter 35.5 Washington, NC
Re: Dryer sheets work as well as ...

Bounce dryer sheets. Put some in the boat about 3 years ago and haven't seen a spider since.
 
Feb 10, 2004
4,235
Hunter 40.5 Warwick, RI
Dryer sheets also work to repel wasps- not your problem but possibly useful info anyway.

I used to have wasps move into my mailbox every spring (the mailman was not pleased...), but a dryer sheet in the box keeps them out.
 
Oct 14, 2005
2,191
1983 Hunter H34 North East, MD
Spiders...

at the "Top of the Bay" find their way aboard the boats on mooring at our club, so it isn't a matter of climbing the dock lines. They get carried aboard by the wind. I've knocked them off the boat, only to see them walk on the water surface tension and climb back aboard up the hull side.

We use Home Defense spray around the docks and under the toe rail. I've had good luck with the Oceanics "Spider Away" from WM. I've found that dryer sheets don't work for much more than a week.

The most effective way I've dealt with them is to go on "spider patrol" after dark with a flashlight and a can of Raid insect spray. Hit them in their webs and use a wire wheel brush in the morning to clear away the web residue. Look on deck for "spider poop spots" to find out where the buggers are hanging out during the day--come back at night and you'll find a web above these spots.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Re: Spiders...

I rather like the spiders on deck they put the insect screens up every night and eat bugs that would bite me. In the morning they hide and when I find them inside or in the sails I squash them.
 
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