Top Tips to Keep Critters out of Your Boat During Storage

If you want to keep critters out of your boat during storage, start with simple prevention steps. Critters like mice and insects can sneak in and cause damage or even health risks. You can protect your boat by taking action before you store it. A study from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center found that inspecting and cleaning your boat makes a big difference. When you check for critters, clean off plants or mud, and dry everything well, you keep critters out of your boat. These tips are easy for anyone to follow. Try using peppermint as a natural way to keep critters away. With a little effort, you can enjoy a clean, critter-free boat and worry less about storage.

Key Takeaways

• Clean your boat well by taking out all food, trash, and water. This makes your boat less interesting to critters.

• Seal up any holes or spaces near doors, windows, and compartments. This stops critters from getting inside your boat.

• Use natural repellents like peppermint oil, dryer sheets, or soap bars. These help keep pests away in a safe way.

• Open storage compartments and cushions when you store your boat. This lets air move around and stops mold and hiding places.

• Check your boat often for pest signs and take care of it. This helps protect your boat and keeps it free from critters.

Clean Your Boat

Remove Food and Trash

You want to keep your boat as uninviting as possible for critters. Start by removing all food, snacks, and drinks before storage. Even small crumbs can attract mice, ants, or other pests. Take out all trash, wrappers, and empty containers. Don’t forget to check under seats and in hidden corners. If you leave anything behind, you might find a mess when you return.

• Throw away all food and drink items.

• Wipe down surfaces to remove crumbs.

• Check coolers, drawers, and storage bins for forgotten snacks.

• Dispose of trash on the mainland, not in the water.

Cleaning your boat this way helps stop critters from moving in and keeps your boat fresh for your next trip.

Dry All Areas

Moisture can cause big problems during storage. Critters love damp spaces, and mold or mildew can grow fast. After cleaning, dry every area of your boat. Use towels to soak up water in the cabin, storage lockers, and under seats. Open hatches and let air flow through the boat for a while.

Tip: Clean any biological growth on the hull every 6 to 10 weeks and before you leave the harbor. This keeps your boat in top shape and stops hitchhiking organisms from tagging along.

Don’t forget to dry marine equipment like anchors, ropes, and fishing gear. When you keep things dry, you make your boat less appealing to pests.

Open Compartments

When you store your boat, open cabinets and compartments. This simple step lets air move around and helps prevent mold and mildew. Good ventilation keeps your boat smelling fresh and protects the interior from moisture damage. The SkiSafe maintenance guide says that opening compartments during storage helps stop mold and mildew from growing. Vault Storage also recommends opening vents or windows to let air circulate. You avoid musty odors and keep your boat’s inside in great condition.

If you leave everything closed up, you might find dampness or even critters hiding in dark corners. So, give your boat some air during storage and enjoy a cleaner, healthier space next season.

Seal Entry Points

Check for Gaps

You want to stop critters before they get inside your boat. Start by looking for any gaps, cracks, or small holes. These spots can let in mice, insects, or even snakes. Walk around your boat and check for openings near doors, hatches, vents, and cables. Shine a flashlight in dark corners. If you see daylight coming through, you have found a possible entry point.

• Look under seats and along the floor.

• Check around windows and storage lockers.

• Inspect the engine compartment and wiring holes.

Nextgen Pest Solutions recommends a careful inspection to find every spot where pests might sneak in. They focus on finding entry points and hiding places, which helps you stop a rodent problem before it starts. You do not need fancy tools—just take your time and look closely. If you find a gap, mark it so you can fix it later.

Tip: Make a checklist of places to inspect each time you store your boat. This habit helps you keep rodents out and protects your investment.

Block Holes

Once you find gaps or holes, you need to block them. Use marine-grade sealant, steel wool, or foam to fill small spaces. For bigger holes, try a patch kit or ask a professional for help. Sealing these spots keeps critters from getting inside and causing trouble.

• Stuff steel wool into small holes to stop mice.

• Use silicone or marine sealant for cracks around windows and doors.

• Cover vents with mesh screens to let air in but keep pests out.

If you block every opening, you make your boat much less inviting to unwanted guests. This simple step can save you from a rodent problem and lots of cleanup later. Always check for openings before you leave your boat in storage. You will feel better knowing you did everything you could to keep your boat safe.

Repellents

Keeping critters and pests out of your boat during storage can feel like a challenge. Luckily, you have some easy and affordable options. Many boaters use household items as a deterrent. Let’s look at three popular choices that can help you keep your boat critter-free.

Scented Sheets

You might have heard about using dryer sheets as a repellent. Many people place scented sheets, like Bounce, in storage compartments to keep pests away. The strong scent can confuse the sense of smell for critters such as mice and spiders. Some boaters report opening their boats after months of storage and finding no droppings or pests, just a fresh scent. Others say that mice sometimes use the sheets for nesting, so results can vary. Dryer sheets may work best as a short-term solution or when combined with other methods. Remember, if you leave food or cozy hiding spots, pests might still find a way in.

Tip: Place scented sheets in every compartment and replace them if the scent fades.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint is a favorite natural repellant for boaters. You can make a diy peppermint spray by mixing peppermint oil with water and spraying it in storage areas. Many users say this method keeps spiders and rodents away almost right away. Peppermint has a strong smell that most critters and pests dislike. You can also soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and tuck them into corners. Some products combine peppermint with other scents for even better results. Lab tests show that peppermint oil sprays can keep up to 92% of rodents away from boats and vehicles. Peppermint is safe for your boat, eco-friendly, and won’t harm your equipment. Try making a diy peppermint spray before you store your boat for the season. You might notice fewer critters and a fresher smell.

Soap Bars

Soap bars, especially Irish Spring, are another simple deterrent. Many boaters swear by placing bars of soap in storage lockers and under seats. The strong peppermint scent in some soaps helps keep pests and critters away. People often notice a big drop in mice and bugs after using this trick. Just unwrap the bar and leave it in a few spots around your boat. The scent lasts for months and does not make a mess. Soap bars are cheap, easy to find, and safe for your boat’s interior.

Note: While these repellents work for many, no method is perfect. Try combining scented sheets, peppermint, and soap bars for the best protection. Avoid using poison inside your boat. Poison can cause bad smells and bigger problems if pests die in hidden spots.

Tips to Keep Critters Out

You want to keep critters out of your boat during storage, right? Here are some simple tips that really work. These steps help you protect your boat and make sure you do not find any surprises when you come back. You can use these tips with other methods, like peppermint or scented sheets, for even better results.

Leave Cushions Up

Cushions can be a cozy spot for mice and bugs. If you leave them flat, critters might crawl underneath and make a home. You should stand your cushions up on their sides or even remove them if you can. This makes it harder for pests to hide. Air moves around better, so things stay dry and fresh. You also stop mold from growing under the cushions.

Tip: Before you leave, check under every cushion. If you see crumbs or dirt, clean them up. This is one of the best tips to keep critters out of your boat.

Open Storage Spaces

Closed storage spaces can trap moisture and create dark hiding spots. You want to open all your storage lockers, drawers, and cabinets. This lets air flow through your boat and keeps things dry. Critters like dark, closed places, so opening up storage spaces makes your boat less inviting. You can also place peppermint or soap bars inside these open spaces for extra protection.

• Open every storage compartment before you leave.

• Place a peppermint-scented item in each space.

• Check these spots when you return to your boat.

If you follow these tips, you will keep critters out of your boat and enjoy a cleaner, safer space. Remember, a little effort now saves you a lot of trouble later.

Traps

Bucket Traps

You want to catch critters before they make a mess in your boat. Bucket traps work well for this job. You can set up a simple bucket trap in places like the cockpit or near storage lockers. All you need is a bucket, a ramp, and a little bait like peanut butter or sunflower seeds. Place the ramp so mice or small rodents can climb up and fall into the bucket. The bucket keeps them from escaping until you check it.

Many boaters like bucket traps because they do not use poison. You avoid bad smells and keep your boat safe for pets and kids. You can find ready-made traps at the store, or you can make your own with things you already have. Try placing a few traps in different spots if you have a big boat. This way, you catch critters early and stop a rodent problem before it starts.

Tip: Check your traps every few days. If you leave them too long, you might find a mess or even attract more pests.

Regular Checks

You cannot just set traps and forget about them. You need to check your traps often. Look at each trap every week, or even more if you know your area has lots of critters. Remove any animals you catch right away. Clean the bucket and reset the trap with fresh bait.

Regular checks help you spot new signs of pests before they get out of hand. If you see droppings or chewed wires, take action fast. You keep your boat clean and safe by staying alert. Checking traps also gives you peace of mind. You know you are doing everything you can to protect your boat during storage.

Boat Pest Control Tips

Regular Inspections

You want to keep your boat safe from pests all year. One of the best pest control tips is to check your boat often, even when it is in storage. Walk around your boat and look for signs of critters, like droppings, chewed wires, or nests. Open compartments and peek under seats. If you spot anything unusual, take action right away.

• Look for small holes or gaps where pests might sneak in.

• Check storage lockers and engine spaces for spider webs or rodent tracks.

• Inspect ropes, life jackets, and gear for signs of chewing.

Many experts recommend following inspection protocols like those used in national parks. These include cleaning, draining, and drying your boat before and after storage. Some places even use special teams to check for invasive species. You can use these same pest control tips at home. If you find a problem, try peppermint oil spray or Irish Spring soap bars. These simple tricks can help you with effective pest control and keep pests away.

Tip: Make a checklist for your inspections. This helps you remember every spot and keeps your boat protected.

Maintenance

Good maintenance is another key part of effective pest control. When you keep your boat clean and in good shape, pests have fewer places to hide. Wipe down surfaces, vacuum floors, and remove any clutter. Store personal items in sealed bins. Use bed bug-proof covers on cushions if you want extra protection.

Professional pest control services can also help. They use safe treatments like heat or marine-safe sprays to get rid of pests. You can add these services to your regular maintenance plan for even better results. After any treatment, keep checking your boat and clean up right away. This makes sure pests do not come back.

• Clean and dry your boat after every trip.

• Fix any leaks or broken seals.

• Replace worn-out screens or covers.

If you follow these pest control tips, you will enjoy a cleaner, safer boat. You will spend less time worrying and more time having fun on the water.

Safety and Legal

Protect Pets

You want to keep your boat safe for everyone, including your pets. Some pest control methods can harm animals if you do not use them carefully. Always think about your furry friends before you set out traps or use repellents.

• Keep baits and traps out of reach. Place traps in spots where pets cannot get to them. If you use bucket traps, make sure your dog or cat cannot tip them over.

• Avoid poison. Poison can hurt pets if they eat it or touch it. Stick to natural repellents like peppermint oil or soap bars. These are much safer for animals.

• Check for hidden dangers. Sometimes pets find things you didn't notice. Look around your boat for any leftover bait, sharp objects, or small items that could be swallowed.

Tip: If you bring your pet on board, do a quick safety check before you let them explore. Remove anything that could harm them.

You want your boat to be a fun place for your whole family. A little extra care keeps your pets happy and healthy during every trip.

Follow Laws

You need to follow local laws when you use pest control on your boat. Some states have rules about what kinds of traps or repellents you can use. You might also need to follow special rules if you store your boat near water or in a marina.

• Check state and local rules. Look up the laws in your area before you use any pest control products. Some chemicals or traps are not allowed in certain places.

• Use approved products. Only use repellents and traps that are safe for boats and the environment. Look for labels that say “marine safe” or “eco-friendly.”

• Dispose of waste properly. Throw away used traps, bait, or dead pests in the right way. Never toss them in the water or leave them at the dock.

 Note: Following the law protects you from fines and helps keep the water clean for everyone.

You show respect for your community and the environment when you follow the rules. Safe boating means smart pest control, too.

You can keep your boat critter-free with a few simple steps. Clean out food, seal gaps, and use deterrents like peppermint or soap. Ashley Lizzi, a boating expert, says regular maintenance and preventive steps work best. Try these winter storage tips and check your boat often. When you winterize your boat, you protect your investment and enjoy peace of mind all season long. Take action now for a worry-free return to the water!

FAQ

How often should you check your boat for critters during storage?

You should check your boat every week if possible. Look for droppings, chewed wires, or nests. Regular checks help you catch problems early and keep your boat safe.

Can you use mothballs to keep pests away?

You should avoid mothballs. They smell strong and can harm pets or people. Try natural options like peppermint oil or soap bars instead. These work well and keep your boat safe.

What is the best way to seal small gaps?

Use steel wool or marine-grade sealant for small gaps. Steel wool blocks mice and other critters. Sealant keeps out bugs and moisture. Always check for new gaps each time you store your boat.

Do scented dryer sheets really work?

Scented dryer sheets can help, but they do not work for everyone. Some pests avoid the smell, while others ignore it. For best results, use dryer sheets with other repellents like peppermint oil or soap bars.