Three Ways To Keep Birds From Roosting
Owl Scare Kits: This option is highly effective for preventing roosting on both canopies and boat covers. One of the easiest ways to spook birds away from your boat cover or canopy is by creating the illusion that a larger bird is guarding the area. Affordable and effective, owl scare kits serve with the scarecrow mentality in mind as most birds are found prey to the owl. These kits are easily assembled in a few steps, have long-lasting durability, and deters birds through rain or shine.
Electric Deterrents: This type of deterrent requires more effort and installation but has also proven effective for a variety of bird species. Through a series of metal tracks lining your canopy, electric bird deterrents provide a mild shock to the bird as it lands, educating it to stay away.
Spikes and Nets: Though these dont add to the appeal of your boat cover or canopy, spikes and nets keep birds from perching as they give off the impression that the landing is harmful for them. A downside, however, is that spikes and nets work well except when birds roost under your boat canopy near the interior structuring.
How Do I Maintain A Spider
If you want to ensure that spiders stay away from your pontoon boat, try using mothballs.
These are used as spider repellents, but there is a need to practice a lot of carefulness.
Indeed, for ages now, mothballs have been successfully used to repel all creepy crawlies. The good thing is that they also work against spiders.
If you leave an open jar with mothballs, it will be handy in keeping spiders and other insects away from your boat.
However, you need to know how to use mothballs since they release poisonous vapours into the air.
These vapors repel spiders, but if inhaled, they could be harmful. Therefore, they should only be used if the boat is not occupied.
When you come back to your boat, you need to air out the place well to ensure that there is no risk of inhaling the poisons.
If you are leaving your boat for an extended period, this is the best option to use to have a spider-free pontoon boat.
Why Do I Have Dock Spiders
Water > flies > spiders.
You have dock spiders because youre next to a stream, sea, river, ocean, pond, lake, or other body of water.
These attract aquatic wildlife and thats what fishing spiders eat.
Since their food source is bountiful, you can expect that spiders will hunt the area to forage for bugs to eat and breed in the same place. Its not possible to get rid of them completely, but you can greatly reduce their numbers by practicing some control techniques.
Water attracts flies, nematodes, mosquitoes, crane flies, and more, which attracts spiders to the pier, boathouse, or boat.
They spin tent-like webs to catch their prey, known as nursery webs which have a distinct appearance. They also fish on the water surface to reel in bugs.
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How To Keep Seagulls Off A Boat
Your boats either moving or will be moored or docked, so you need a solution that suits both scenarios.
Any shapes that spin and bounce in the wind should be your first line of defence. Any type of boat bird deterrent that rotates or has wire legs will work just as well.
Here are just two such mechanical devices you could consider.
#1: ScareGull Seagull Sweep
This is exactly the same device that I use on my pontoon boat. Ive used it for a year now with zero complaints.
I think you will love it too and you can .
Before you get started, do your clean up job, as I am sure youve got all that seagull poop to get rid of. Once thats done you can get this bad boy fully operational.
As the propellers sweep around in the wind, seagulls wont even consider landing on your boat again. It will work whilst youre out on the water or docked up.
You dont need to wire it up to your boat battery either. It is fully wind powered.
Its relatively cheap too.
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Is Spider Netting An Effective Way To Keep Spiders Off My Pontoon Boat
When it comes to spider netting, the fundamental principle is the same as that of screens.
The underlying principle is simply creating a barrier that makes it impossible or hard for the spider to find their way into the boat.
When you prevent the spiders and their droppings from getting into the deck, their population will be insignificant in your boat.
However, the use of netting is considered more advantageous than the use of screens. This is because nets easily achieve full coverage, unlike screens.
With full coverage, there is a slimmer chance of any spider squeezing its way into the boat.
Indeed, nets are easily customized to take the exact measurements of the boat, ensuring all gaps are sealed.
Additionally, nets can protect your boat from birds as well. Birds do not wish to land on unstable surfaces and avoid the boat if it is netted.
With fewer spiders and fewer birds, you will also notice a reduced quantity of bird poop.
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How Do I Keep Bugs Off My Boat
Use a combination of the DIY technique listed throughout this guide.
Dont just use one at a time, that takes far too long and is extremely inefficient to get rid of pests. Instead, combine the different techniques at the same time and see what works to get rid of the spiders.
For example, line your dock lines with spider sticky tape while you hang silver stringers on your boat. Keep the entire boat clean and wrap it with a cover when youre not using it.
Set up mothball traps or hang dryer sheets around the outside. Spray peppermint oil in the cracks and crevices around the boat to keep spiders out.
Its all about seeing what works then scaling it up. Itll take patience and persistence to find out.
But if youre able to control the flying insect population, you can greatly reduce the spider population also. Remember that fishing spiders float on the water to eat their prey.
Reducing the numbers of them on your actual boat can be done by exclusion methods, repelling them, and blocking entry.
But the insects in the water, which is rich full of their food, cant really be eliminated.
Youre not going to kill everything in the vicinity of your docked boat.
So dont worry about that. Just look after your boat because thats all that you can control. This is the only way to keep spiders off your boat.
Do Dock Spiders Infest Homes
They can make their way into your home but rarely will stay inside.
Similar to barn spiders, dock spiders cant sustain themselves inside a typical household because theres no water supply for them to hunt and theres not enough food.
They need to be outside in the pool of water skimming on the surface to hunt.
They also have huge appetites, so even the most bug-infested household isnt likely to provide them with enough insects to eat. Thus, dock spiders rarely infest homes.
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Remove Spiders From Your Dock
Instead of adding extra work to your weekends, let our team at Abra Kadabra keep your boat, dock, and marine equipment free from spiders, pests, and other insects. Our goal is to help you enjoy your lake time even more without worry and hassle.
For years now, our professional staff at Abra Kadabra has been providing this service to our customers on the many lakes throughout our great state of Minnesota. We used to just offer this service in conjunction with our other pest packages, but now we are looking to offer this as a stand-alone service to the boaters on Lake Minnetonka and surrounding lakes.
If pests have been a dock downer for your family and your boat, its time to make a change. We only have so much lake time in Minnesota. Its time to make the most of it. Keeping our lakes clean is essential here in Minnesota. As one of our most important natural resources, we know how vital protecting our fragile environment is, even when getting rid of pesky problems and spammy spider webs. Thats why we only use, environmentally-friendly products when servicing docks and marine environments.
Eco-Friendly Pest Control Methods
Our mean-and-green products will keep your boat, dock, and equipment without any common pest problems, like:
The eco-friendly formula that we are utilizing consisting predominantly of:
How Our Marine Spider Removal Service Works
Now its time to control the pests, spiders, and insects at the lake. Heres how it works:
How Do I Keep Spiders Off My Dock And Boat
Its no secret that many people are afraid of spiders, and for good reason. These eight-legged creatures can be found in dark corners, lurking around waiting to pounce on their unsuspecting prey. But what if you dont want them lurking around your dock or boat? How can you keep these creepy crawlers away?There are a few things you can do to deter spiders from making your dock or boat their home. First, try to eliminate any potential food sources that may be attracting them. This means keeping the area clean and free of debris, as well as sealing up any cracks or crevices where insects could be hiding. You should also remove any stagnant water from the area, as this can provide a breeding ground for pests.If you still find spiders hanging around, there are a few chemical treatments you can use to get rid of them. However, its important to note that these chemicals can also be harmful to humans and animals if not used properly. Be sure to follow the directions on the label carefully before using any kind of treatment.In general, the best way to keep spiders away is to create an environment that isnt conducive for them to live in. Keep the area clean and free of potential food sources, and seal up any cracks or crevices where they could potentially hide. If all else fails, there are chemical treatments available that will help get rid of these unwanted guests.
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How To Keep Ducks And Geese Off Your Dock
Ducks and geese are attracted to bodies of water so it is common to find them around docks.
They stay there to look for prey and rest.
However, this may prove to be a problem because they are a bit difficult to get rid of.
They can rest on your dock, start nesting there, and the next thing you know your dock is filled with these birds.
Nobody wants this and neither do you.
Of course, there are some measures you can take to keep ducks and geese off your dock.
And here I have listed down everything you need to know about it.
But before getting to the ways on how to keep these birds off, lets check what does attract them most to your dock
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How To Keep Spiders And Insect Mess Out Of Your Boat
Previously on Pontoonopedia I have written a guide on how to pest-proof your boat from critters such as rats, mice, ants, and other assorted vermin. But what I didnt cover in that guide was insects and in particular spiders.
Spiders love a warm and covered boat, and its really hard to keep them from getting in. They leave web, trails, and also tiny pin pricks of poop on your vinyl seating yes, thats what those little black dots are. Spider poop.
Is there a way to keep spiders and other insects out of your pontoon boat, or any type of boat for that matter?
Honestly there is no 100% guarantee that you will stop them completely. They are small enough to get through tiny cracks, and as you know with your house, they always find a way in.
But there are some steps you can take to reduce the chances of spiders and insects getting into your pontoon and messing it up.
Heres an original question that was posed on Facebook in 2017, with my responses and answers shown below.
We have a problem with spider poop on our seats. Its under cover but they still make their way inside. Does anyone know if peppermint oil is ok to put on the seats?? Or have any suggestions how to stop them getting in and leaving webs as well?
I know from bitter experience how spider excrement can make pinhead stains on white upholstery, such as vinyl boat seats. They can take some scrubbing to get off too.
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Can I Use Spider Spray On My Pontoon Boat
Spider repellant sprays are known to cut down on the number of spiders that can be found in your pontoon boat at any given time.
There are several of them, but the ones in the high-end category take down both spiders and other pests as well.
This is aimed at ensuring that the spiders will not have any source of food since pests and other insects are what the spiders feed on.
Therefore, without a food source, it becomes hard for the spiders to come aboard again.
However, it is important to tread carefully as you use sprays on spiders. It is very tempting to reach out to the use of insecticides we normally use at home.
Unfortunately, these are not what is recommended for use in marine settings.
Indeed, foggers and bug bombs work perfectly well at home but are discouraged from being used in small, confined spaces.
The chemicals in the devices are very harsh and will damage the interior of your boat if applied to them.
But in a best-case scenario where they dont damage the interior of your boat, you will have to do with the smell they leave behind for several weeks.
Additionally, these chemicals are known to affect the surrounding aquatic ecosystem negatively. So what options are you left with?
Some sprays have been formulated by the use of natural organisms. One such spray is peppermint oil, rosemary oil, and geraniol oil.
How Do I Protect My Pontoon Boat From Spiders
Many creepy-crawlies might come and try to infest your boat. Among the many, spiders stand out as the most unwelcome.
During summer, you will see many of these multi-legged miniature monsters.
It is at this time when the weather is warm when many of their eggs seem to hatch. During summer, the weather is generous to these creatures by bringing a lot of food to their surroundings.
They are especially common during summertime when the warm weather brings with it an abundance of food. Indeed, the food we are talking about here is other bugs.
However, these miniature monsters are not entirely bad. Indeed, they are touted for the control of mosquitoes, houseflies, and other bothersome insects.
Regardless of whether you fear spiders or not, when they attack your boat in large numbers, you will not take it lightly.
When they are many, all you will think of is them as being an excessive mess.
Unfortunately, they will not only leave their webs everywhere, but they also leave their poop behind and you can bet they poop a lot.
Their poop is grayish brown or even black. You will easily find this poop or droppings in corners as well as seat covers.
These drops will make your seats appear as if they have tiny dots.
Although it may not pose a problem when wiped immediately, they will harden if left for an extended time.
This results in a concrete-like hardness with which the droppings bond with the surface of your boat.
So how do you get rid of these mites and keep your boat safe?
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Well Handle Your Pest Control Deftly
At Deft Pest Solutions, our mission is to provide fast and effective spider extermination and control in Fountain, CO. Deft Pest Solutions has experience in dealing with all types of pests including harmful black widow spiders. We believe in doing the right thing for our customers every time, and we want to become your trusted provider that always has the solution. Our business has been built on a foundation of integrity and problem solving, and whether were providing black widow control or other pest control services, well take the time to help you understand our process in its entirety. If you suspect that pests or harmful spiders have invaded your home, be sure to get in touch with one of our team members to discuss custom solutions that will work for you. Contact us today to have your pest control problem dealt with deftly!
Critters Hate Irish Spring Soap
When I was growing up, my buddys dad used to swear by bathing with Irish Spring soap before every deer hunt. I always thought that was weird because youre supposed to be scentless whenever youre in the deer woods. But that joker killed more deer than any of us combined.
He didnt use it for the scent, however. He used that Irish Spring because he said a bug wouldnt come within 10 feet of him in the deer stand. This was long before Thermacells and what not we had to use whatever we could think of to keep those mosquitos from carrying us off.
During a conversation with my buddy and colleague Terry Brown, he mentioned putting an Irish Spring soap bar in the sump compartment of your boat. Not only will it almost ensure that mice, rats and other nasty furry things dont get in there, but he mentioned that the bugs hate it as well.
Adding that to my old hunting buddys dads beliefs, I had to try it. Honestly, I just tossed a bar somewhere down there and didnt really think much about it. But sure enough, the bug issue has nearly disappeared. I never had a rodent problem in my shop but Terry swears it works perfectly.
As an added benefit, Ive noticed that the Irish Spring significantly reduces the amount of fuel smell coming from the back compartment. I dont know if its because my boat is old or something, but it has a pretty strong fuel smell around the back-deck area. That silly soap bar, however, has really cut down the stink, though.
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