Boat Storage And Mice

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Any tips on keeping mice out of your boat over the winter?

This will be my 4th winter storing my boat at this barn on a farm. First 2 years were no problem. Last year there were mice droppings everywhere. I completely empty out all my compartments so there is no "food" source in my boat. They however brought food into my boat.

My neighbor said Bounce sheets work? Anything else?

[slonezp]

Cats

I have a cat problem. I keep my boat in a storage lot and the people that run the place rescue cats. I ocassionaly find footprints in the boat. If I can catch one I'll put it in a box with some breathing holes and send it to you.

Try moth balls

[Traveler2586]

X2 on the moth balls; I guessing here but you could try sprinkling then around the boat on the ground, or, put some in old socks tied shut and place them in key areas that show mouse activity. If that doesn't work visit the mouse department in your local hardware store for ideas.

[wnybassman]

Moth balls here too. I go overboard and use two boxes. I fill up six or eight cottage cheese type containers (with the lid off) and put one in every compartment that a mouse could get in, one right under the console area and the biggest one back in that battery compartment. At the end of the storage season I pour them all back into a sealable container and use them year after year. Only takes a few weeks in the early spring for the smell to fully clear out, which is good, I get the boat out early enough where mice are probably still looking to get in somewhere and the lingering smell still keeps them out.

[DRBailey]

I have used bounty fabric softner sheets in each compartment and several on the deck before covering. Have done this the past 4 years for 5 months of storage and never found any sign of rodents in the boat

[BassnChris]

I have not had a rodent problem.....I used the bounce sheets in all of the compartments this year.

What I am going to do next year is fashion some type of shield at the jack wheel and on the jack stands I use to put the boat on for winter.

Something like the anti-squirrel devices they use for bird feeders but bigger. I will post up some pics next fall when I do it.

[Al Wolbach]

Pepermint oil will repell mice and smells good too.....................Al