Do any of you know?

[midwestfisher]

I have gotten my boat out of storage and for the first time in a while I had mice in it.
I think I have gotten them all out however when I went to reinstall my batteries I could smell mouse.
I had pulled off the front casting deck to inspect and all was well.
I am thinking of using a hose thought the drain plug hole and through the drain in the cockpit area to flush the bottom of the boat to hopefully remove remnants. Has anyone done this and would there be possible pitfalls. Just don't want to have to tear out anymore of the decking. (2004 Tracker PT175)
Thanks

 

[LDUBS]

I once needed to flush the bilge. Ran a hose through each of the seat pedestal bases. Had the trailer tongue elevated so everything would drain.

In your case pouring a jug of disinfectant might be worthwhile.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

They like to nest in the floation foam. In my case, it was under the floor. There were telltale signs of bits of styrofoam around the boat, I had an opening to reach down for the drain plug and for the bilge pump. Might as well have posted a "Welcome" sign. Heavy mesh screening would have probably prevented it.

What you smell, is probably mice piss. They don't want to stink up the nest, but too lazy to leave the boat. Search on some remedies for that, and just make sure it is not a chemical that reacts with aluminum.

One spring, we had a mouse hitchhiker, that showed himself while we were shooting down river. Tossed em overboard with a net. Hoped a finned critter got to enjoy em.

 

[DaleH]

Next year ... place mothballs around in plastic containers in a few places ...

Note there must be enough for it to be noxious for you to be around it, for them to work.

 

[sonny1]

Mothballs will also discourage wasps.

 

[airshot]

There are numerous bilge cleaning solutions that you pour in and add water, Take it for a ride around the block a few times then drain and flush. Removes odors, safe for your hull, the chemicals will not agree with the mice at all. When finnished, do your best to dry it out after !!

 

[gtodd]

When I stored my boat on a buddy's farm, I would get either rats or field mice. I looked for a product that wouldn't kill any farm cats or dogs if they happened to eat one that I had poisoned. I came across a product that worked really well at deterring them from moving in. Google "Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent". I can't guarantee it'll work for you and if you read the reviews, it didn't for some. Before putting the boat cover on I would staple a couple of bags to my transom and put one in each compartment.

 

[Markisozarkis]

When I stored my boat on a buddy's farm, I would get either rats or field mice. I looked for a product that wouldn't kill any farm cats or dogs if they happened to eat one that I had poisoned. I came across a product that worked really well at deterring them from moving in. Google "Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent". I can't guarantee it'll work for you and if you read the reviews, it didn't for some. Before putting the boat cover on I would staple a couple of bags to my transom and put one in each compartment.

Still using mothballs in my camper....

 

[Skunked again]

When I stored my boat on a buddy's farm, I would get either rats or field mice. I looked for a product that wouldn't kill any farm cats or dogs if they happened to eat one that I had poisoned. I came across a product that worked really well at deterring them from moving in. Google "Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent". I can't guarantee it'll work for you and if you read the reviews, it didn't for some. Before putting the boat cover on I would staple a couple of bags to my transom and put one in each compartment.

Fresh cab, good stuff. I keep a bag by each side of our garage doors, in the boat, any openings in the shed, in the travel trailer (when we had one). No issues since I started using it.
It does have a “forest” odor to it, However, I like it.

 

[midwestfisher]

Appreciate all your help folks