Keep Bugs Away: Boat Packing Essentials

Keeping bugs off your boat is an important consideration for any boat owner. Insects can cause damage and potential infestations, and can ruin an enjoyable boat ride. Bugs can enter boats through thru-hulls, vents, and drains, and they are attracted to food and drink residue, as well as cardboard storage containers. To keep bugs off your boat, it is important to maintain cleanliness, use plastic storage containers instead of cardboard, and store food properly. Additionally, natural remedies such as peppermint oil spray, Irish Spring soap, dryer sheets, and stainless steel scrubbers can be effective in repelling insects.

Keep the boat clean and tidy

Keeping your boat clean and tidy is essential for preventing bug infestations. Here are some detailed tips to ensure your boat remains clean and pest-free:

Maintain a Clean Boat

Keep your boat clean at all times. Cleanliness is key to preventing bugs and pests from being attracted to your boat. After a day out on the water, be sure to hose down the boat to remove any crumbs, residue, or spills that may have occurred. Ask your guests to be mindful and pick up after themselves, disposing of any food waste properly.

Avoid Cardboard Storage

Avoid storing items in cardboard boxes on your boat. Cardboard serves as the perfect nesting site for pests such as cockroaches and ants. Additionally, certain bugs like silverfish will feed on the damp cardboard. Instead, opt for plastic containers to store your items. If you must bring cardboard on board, ensure it is removed promptly.

Proper Food Storage

Only keep dry foods on board, such as rice and pasta. Even then, make sure to use up a package of food before opening a new one. Half-used food items can attract bugs and pests over time. Wash any produce you bring on board immediately and dry it before putting it away. This helps eliminate any bugs and also maintains food hygiene.

Use Plastic Containers

Store flour, sugar, and other food items in sturdy plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Plastic bags are prone to tiny holes, which can invite critters. Additionally, use sealed plastic bins or doubled resealable plastic bags to store bottles of honey, syrup, or any other sugary substances. This prevents ants from reaching any leaks or spills and makes cleanup easier.

Regular Inspection and Maintenance

Regularly inspect your boat for any signs of bugs or pest infestations. Check for termite swarmers, which are the only type of termites that can fly and will do so to find new places to start colonies. Keep an eye out for kick-out holes, which are about the size of a ballpoint pen tip, where termites eject waste that resembles sawdust or pellets. If you spot any signs of bugs, act promptly to address the issue and prevent a full-blown infestation.

Don't store items in cardboard boxes

Cardboard boxes are a haven for bugs and should be avoided when storing items in a boat. Cardboard is highly attractive to pests, providing an ideal nesting material or food source for insects and rodents. The last thing you want is to find a family of rats or termites feasting on your precious possessions.

Cardboard also absorbs moisture, which can be a problem in boats. If the cardboard boxes are stored in humid environments, they are at risk of developing mould and mildew, which can then transfer to the items inside. This is especially problematic if the boat is stored near water, where moisture levels can be high.

Cardboard boxes are also difficult to store in boats due to their bulkiness. They take up valuable space and are not always easy to stack neatly, making it hard to access items stored within.

Additionally, the lack of visibility into cardboard boxes can lead to disorder. You may have to dig through multiple boxes to find what you're looking for, and the boxes themselves may be challenging to locate if they are not properly labelled or stored in an organised manner.

Finally, cardboard boxes deteriorate over time. They are not built for long-term storage and will degrade, especially in humid or fluctuating temperature environments. This can cause the boxes to break when lifted or moved, potentially damaging the items inside.

For these reasons, it is best to avoid storing items in cardboard boxes in a boat. Instead, opt for clear plastic bins or containers that are stackable, moisture-resistant, and provide visibility into the contents. This will help keep your possessions safe, organised, and easily accessible.

Use stainless steel scrubbers to block thru-hulls

When a boat is in storage or in a work yard, bug intrusion can become a major problem. Bugs often enter boats through the thru-hulls, which cannot always be closed. Vents for the fuel and water tanks, for example, cannot be closed. Even the thru-hulls that do not directly open to the boat interior can cause issues. Paper wasps and mud daubers, for instance, can close off tank vents, and their nests can cause the bilge pump to stop working.

To prevent this, you can use stainless steel scrubbers to block the thru-hulls. Cut each stainless scrubber into a few chunks with regular scissors, depending on the size of the scrubber and the thru-hull. Then, stuff one chunk of the scrubber into each thru-hull, ensuring that the outer edge is flush with the hull of the boat. This will prevent bugs from entering the boat or building nests in the thru-hulls. It is important to keep the thru-hull firmly blocked off, while still allowing air and water to seep through.

Be sure to use stainless steel scrubbers, as these will not rust out. You can find them in most grocery stores or on Amazon. It typically takes two 3-packs to do an entire boat. Remember to remove the scrubbers and open any closed thru-hulls before putting the boat back in the water.

Repel insects with peppermint oil spray

Peppermint oil spray is an effective, natural way to repel insects. The strong scent of peppermint oil interferes with insects' sense of smell, which they rely on to find food and mates, and to sense danger. The scent also disorients them, making them want to vacate the area.

You can make your own peppermint oil spray by mixing 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil with one cup of water and one teaspoon of mild dish soap. The dish soap acts as an emulsifier, ensuring the oil and water mix together properly. You can also add a few drops of detergent to the mixture.

Once prepared, the spray will last for about a week. It's best to store it away from light and heat, which can reduce its potency. Before each use, shake the bottle well and spray directly onto pests or in areas where they are frequently spotted, such as entry points or infested regions.

For ongoing pest control, reapply the spray every few days. In areas with heavy pest activity, you may need to apply it daily until you notice a significant reduction in pest numbers.

In addition to its repellent properties, peppermint oil can also be directly toxic to certain insects. It can penetrate their exoskeleton and disrupt their respiratory function, leading to suffocation. It can also act as a neurotoxin, causing spasms and paralysis.

So, if you're looking for a natural and eco-friendly way to keep bugs off your boat, give peppermint oil spray a try! It's a potent and versatile solution that can help you create a bug-free environment.

Store food in airtight containers

Storing food in airtight containers is a crucial step in keeping bugs out of your boat. Insects such as ants, cockroaches, and weevils are attracted to food sources, so proper food storage is essential. Here are some detailed tips to ensure your food stays bug-free:

Use Airtight Plastic Containers

First and foremost, transfer all food items from their original packaging to sturdy airtight plastic containers. This includes items like rice, pasta, flour, sugar, and box mixes. Plastic containers with tight-fitting lids will create a barrier against bugs and prevent them from accessing the food. Make sure to completely fill and seal the containers to minimize air space, as some bugs can chew through thin plastic.

Avoid Cardboard Packaging

Cockroaches and other insects are known to lay eggs in cardboard, and the material can also harbour dirt and bugs. Therefore, it is best to avoid bringing cardboard boxes or packaging onto your boat. If you must store items in boxes, opt for plastic containers instead. Remove any cardboard packaging from beverages like beer and discard it before bringing them on board.

Wash Produce and Cans

When bringing fresh produce onto the boat, wash it thoroughly in a sink with a mild bleach solution before storing it. This will not only eliminate any bugs that may be present but also help prevent food-borne illnesses. Additionally, wash the outside of cans with the bleach solution to get rid of any dirt or bugs that may be lurking. Just be sure to rinse aluminium cans afterwards to avoid pinholes caused by a reaction with the bleach.

Treat Flour and Sugar

Flour and sugar are particularly susceptible to weevils and ants, so it's important to take extra precautions with these items. Treat flour by freezing or baking it before storing it in containers with bay leaves, which repel weevils. For sugar, place a whole clove or a sprinkling of ground cloves in the container to keep ants at bay. You can also add a drop of clove oil to the lid; it won't affect the taste of the sugar.

Promptly Address Any Signs of Bugs

Finally, remember to act quickly if you spot any signs of bugs in your food stores. Throw away any infested food by removing it from the boat entirely, not just placing it in a trash bag. Scrub out the affected food containers using a bleach solution, and wash and dry the surrounding lockers or storage areas. Refill the containers with treated food and don't forget to add fresh bay leaves and cloves for ongoing protection.

Frequently asked questions