Mice can be a huge problem on boats in the winter. Not only can mice cause a lot of damage to a boat in storage, but no one likes to deal with the extra cleaning before getting their boat in the water for the next year.
In this blog post, we will discuss tips and tricks for keeping mice out of your boat during the winter. We will also provide information on how to get rid of any mice that may already be on your boat. Follow these tips, and you can rest assured knowing that your boat will be mouse-free this winter!
Why Mice On Your Boat In The Winter Is An Issue?
Mice are attracted to warm, cozy places in the winter. This is why they often seek shelter in garages, barns, and in this case boats. Unfortunately, boats can provide the perfect environment for mice looking to escape the cold weather.
Once on a boat, mice will nest in any soft materials they can find. This includes insulation, upholstery, life jackets, and more. Not only is this a huge pain to deal with when you’re trying to get your boat ready for the next season, but it can also cause a lot of damage.
Mice may even chew through wiring, hoses, and other essential boat components in their quest to build their nests. This can lead to costly repairs that no one wants to deal with. This is why it’s so important to take steps to keep them off your boat in the first place.
Store Your Boat Properly To Prevent Mice
One of the best ways that you can deter mice from making a residence on your boat over the winter is to make sure that you are storing properly ahead of time. The easier the access a mouse has to enter your boat the more likely you are to stumble across damage when you are ready to put it in the water.
Here are some of the key recommendations for storing your boat to help prevent not only mice but pests in general:
Indoor Storage Can Help Keep Mice Away
One of the best ways to keep your boat mouse-free is to store it indoors. If you have the option to store your boat in a garage or shed, take advantage of it! Not only will this help protect your boat from the elements, but it will also make it much harder for mice and other critters to get access.
Professionally Wrap Your Boat
If you want to keep your boat at home instead but don’t happen to have extra space in the garage, or aren’t quite confident that mice won’t stay away from your garage, you can also look into getting your boat wrapped. This is a process where your boat is completely covered in shrink-wrap material eliminating rodent access.
Other Tips To Keep The Mice Away
In addition to proper storage, there are a few other things that you can do to keep mice away from your boat this winter. Try the following tips:
- Remove food before storage: If you have food onboard the mice may likely be searching for their next meal. Removing the desire to board can go a long way.
- Use a mouse-repellent spray around the perimeter of your boat.
- Mousetraps
- Dryer Sheets or Mothballs: While this one seems a little unorthodox, many boaters swear by dryer sheets to help keep mice at bay.
What To Do If You Had Mice Over The Winter
Unfortunately, you may have stumbled across this article after just having discovered a mouse nest that was made in your boat over the winter. Now that you know how to prevent the damage, what do you do with the aftermath?Well, if you may need some maintenance if any significant damage is present. If you are lucky, at a minimum, a boat detailing service is in order. Either way, give the team here at Hagadone Marine a call and we’ll help you get your boat ready for a day out on Coeur d’Alene Lake!