Lowcountry Joe Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 My boat was left unattended for a few months, covered and on a lift. When I returned rats had invaded beneath the cover, chewed the leaning post seat, and my seadek pad. is there anything that can be done to discourage a return of these PESTS !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 I would suggest rat poison, providing there are not many birds of prey in your area. Another idea would be a reasponsible 12 year old with a BB gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VsteveV Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 Get a couple ferrel cats from the Humane Society. Ask if they paticipate in the barn program. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 Had that as well. Be careful with the kill stuff. Rats love to hide in the bilge and die. They also love to chew on the wiring in the bilge. I did a couple of spring type (old style for rats) rat traps in the cockpit and got one a night for 4 straight nights. No more issues. I do like the cat idea but I don't like cats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawgfan Posted October 14, 2017 Report Share Posted October 14, 2017 If you have access to 120 volts, I have used this ultrasonic varmint repeller for years. It must work as I've never had any problems with any critters. (They say it works for spiders too but that's a far reach. It don't work for spiders.) https://www.crowdcontrolstore.com/transonic-pro-heavy-duty-sonic-ultrasonic-low-profile-repeller?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4oW75p_w1gIVTgeGCh3U7w1aEAYYASABEgK_efD_BwE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted October 14, 2017 Report Share Posted October 14, 2017 Without going into great detail, once you get rats, you'll have them for years. They don't have any control of their bowls or urine, so they just drop stuff everywhere they go. And, that's how their friends and family find them, they follow the sent trail. Traps work and so does poison, but like Headhunter says they will die in the most inaccessible places. You'll have to use traps or poison for years to break the cycle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tall Tails Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Moth balls might deter them. Not sure if having a boat smelling of moth balls beats rats or not.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunstone Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 I was a nuisance animal trapper for 20 years and have seen moth balls used for everything without success. Maybe it works on moths but not animals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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