The peanut butter on a pop bottle cleaned out our moose camp pretty quick. Put one of these in a boat with antifreeze instead of water.....Quote:
Originally Posted by sawbill
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The peanut butter on a pop bottle cleaned out our moose camp pretty quick. Put one of these in a boat with antifreeze instead of water.....Quote:
Originally Posted by sawbill
I had the same problem, with mice. I like to store the boat ready to fish with rods, tackle boxes, etc under the custom fitted cover. After realizing some damage to cork handles and seat foam,etc. I discovered the cure, moth balls. I always have some in the compartments and load the boat with extras for the winter. No problems since. I now use the same method for winter storage of the camper.
Mothballs in every compartment of my boat. And also shaved Irish Spring in a margarine tub also in every compartment. No issues last year and the smell was still quite strong when we pulled the cover off.
Mothballs in open trays in each compartment. Then come spring air it out for 3-4 days and you are good to go.
I went with the mothballs and dryer sheets..... Just went to look at it the other day and it looks to be in good shape.... I guess when I pull it out next month we will know for sure....Quote:
Originally Posted by 410001661
Here's hoping for another good season
We use moth balls wrapped in dryer sheets. I have a 14 foot al. so make up about 10 of these packs to scatter around , works great.
My mechanic not only recommended moth balls in the boat, he said I should put several inside the motor itself to keep them from chewing the wiring!
That chewed wiring happened to one guy in our moose hunt crew - went to use his boat to head down the lake to hunt, and found momma mouse and babies inside motor, and wiring chewed!!
Problem with trapping, especially with the drowning in bucket method, is the stink of death when you return.
Rodenticide is good. Make sure you place way more than you you ever think the mice would eat. Also keep in mind the mice won't die till an average five days after first feeding. Accept a certain amount of damage to still occur to foam and removal of droppings. They will be the same colour as your bait. The dye in the mouse dropping is purposely added to indicate the rodent is in process of dying and help track travel.
Personally, I would do both of two methods:
1. Vicks Vapo Rub. Buy Vicks Vapo Rub and rub to tire rims, leaf springs, trailer framing, ropes, tarp, vegetation underneath, etc. The first line of defense to repel rodents plus animals such as raccoons. Focus on shaded/dark spots under and near the boat where rodents will tend to stop while foraging (work the shadows where they feel more comfortable). Also think how they will get from grass to boat interior and smear along the travel ways. Combination of mental vapour in their sensitive noses and the the Vaseline on their fur, paws, whiskers and taste, they won't bother to continue near your boat. Plenty of other structure to forage and investigate instead.
2. Second line of defense is the use of rodenticide inside the boat, just in case some got in. Moth Balls (naphthalene) inside the boat is good option too instead of bait.
Remember when choosing your game plan to protect against mice: Peanut Butter works amazing. I like Sunflower butter. Most rodenticides have about 23 different attractants. Keep in mind your bait/attractant may be attracting them in (you may be creating the problem). Focus on prevention. How can they get in? What are the travel ways to get in? What can you do prevent the mice from getting from the ground to getting inside where they can do damage.
I also use Vicks Vapo Rub around the house when needed. If I see raccoons on my deck, then I will rub Vicks on my down spouts so they don't get on the roof top (or will use 80W Gear Oil so they don't climb up). I have also used Vicks on base of my apple and pear trees on certain winters if rabbits start eating the lower bark and lower branches.
Need to wash off in spring other wise the Vaseline collects dust and leaves a dirty greasy look.
My aluminum boat has never been an issue as I remove the seats, life jackets etc. in the fall before storage.
Opened up the camper last week and zero mice again this year.
I completely sanitize it in the fall with all food and paper products removed.
Wash the floor with mop and glow.
Mothballs in every drawer and cupboard and then hang dryer sheets on all curtains.
I laid down gravel and there is no soil or grass underneath the camper.
It is parked next to my utility shed where I do all the mouse baiting and trapping.
Keeps them away and disinterested from the camper.
I have been doing this for years with success.
I have made several secure bait boxes . Out of plastic , drill or tool boxes. place mouse cubes inside . Put one along house wall , one in workshop. amazing how much bait gets used. secure against pets and kids. works well . old243