How to Keep Pests Out of the Boat

By MSW -

Imagine this... You drive for hours to your lake vacation home, put on your swim suit, get all packed up for a day on the water, walk out to the boat, and to your dismay... the seats have been torn apart by a pest while you were gone. Believe it or not, this happens all the time! Firstmate Controls was born to help keep you safe and be able to enjoy the amazing hobby of boating. So today, let's talk about how to keep your boat (and yourself!) safe from pests. 



Ditch the Banana 


There are several sunscreens and products out there that have an artificial banana smell to them. While it might be a pleasing smell for you, it is also a very attractive smell to a lot of different pests. In fact, some banana-smelling sunscreens smell so much like banana that racoons will shred the seats in your boat looking for a delicious banana to eat. Additionally, bees emit pheromones when they are angry that can smell similar to banana. While it's not perceptible to the human nose, other bees can smell it and try to come to the "angry bee's" aide. 


Treat Your Boat Too


When you have your pest control company come out and treat your dock, ask that they also treat your boat for bugs and spiders. If they don't, the spiders on your dock may migrate to your boat to escape the insecticide. 



Use Natural Bug Repellant


Most bug sprays have pretty toxic ingredients that can not only be harmful to you, but can also be really bad for the ecosystem when you jump in the water with all that bug spray on your skin. Instead, try some natural substances that repel bugs and aren't bad for you or the environment. Always read instructions on how to use these items before trying them. It can also be a good idea to try a small amount first to make sure no one in your group is allergic to them.

  • Lemon eucalyptus oil
  • Lavender
  • Cinnamon oil
  • Thyme
  • Citronella 
  • Tea tree oil

Dispose of Food & Drinks Properly


Don't leave food wrappers and empty cans in an open trash can. The smells from these items can attract ants, rodents, racoons, yellow jackets, and other scavengers looking for a tasty meal. Keep a trash can with a secure lid on it for the duration of your day out on the water with the boat or hanging out on the dock. At the end of the day, be sure to empty the trash can and remove anything from the dock and boat that would attract pests by the smell. 

Keep Your Dock Safe


When you're into boating, you want to be able to enjoy your hobby as long as possible and without getting yourself in a dangerous situation. Firstmate Controls can help you spend more time out on the water with our remote control boat lift system, built to keep you safe and to make your boating experience more convenient. Check out our website to learn more! 


Boat Lift Controls You Can Count On!

Firstmate Controls 
410 Century Business Drive
Labadie, MO 63055

Phone: (866) 570-9707


Location: Labadie, MO 63055, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LET'S GET READY FOR BOATING IN 2023!

By MSW -
Image
  The weather outside might be frightful, but this is the perfect time to get prepared for next year's boating season! Have you found yourself daydreaming or spending time staring out at the water reminiscing about the great times you had on the water this past season?  Firstmate Controls understands your frustration. We want to share some great ideas to occupy your time during these cold winter months that will get you excited and ready for next year's boating season! Inspect Your Life Preservers Lifejackets that don't get used much and spend most of their time tucked away in the wells of your boat may not be in as good of shape as they should be. Even though they might not get used that often, they still need to be in top shape if there were an incident that arises that you will need to use a lifejacket. If yours aren't in good condition they're not going to be much help in saving a life. Take time to visually inspect every lifejacket for rips, tears, holes, etc.
Read more

UNDERSTANDING COMMON BOATING TERMINOLOGY

By MSW -
Image
  Whether you are new to the boating life, or an experienced boater, the need for a good understanding of boating terminology is a vital necessity. Knowing how your boat works, the function of each part of the vessel, how to address issues when they arise, and a basic understanding of boating safety  is knowledge every boat owner should have.  Being able to properly communicate with those on your boat in case of an emergency situation is crucial to the safety of everyone on board. In the event that you need to call for help, knowing common boat terms will come in handy when speaking with dock staff and even the coast guard when the need arises. Firstmate Controls knows the importance of boating safety and would like to share with you some common boating terms every boat owner should know. COMMON BOATING TERMS: HULL: The Hull is the bottom part of the boat that sits partially in the water. With a V-hull boat, the hull is made of fiberglass and shaped like a V. With a pontoon boat, the
Read more