Keeping out of the boat

marka · Post by **marka** » May 24th, '07, 11:35

Has anyone figured out how the keep the spiders out of the boat?

I seem to remember talking to a guy at our marine who recommended hanging dried Basil in a mesh bag in the cabin.

Any experience with this or other remedies (high or low tech).

plumber · Post by **plumber** » May 24th, '07, 12:47

Good luck with that one!! I've had some good luck with non-airasol foggers, the ones you drop in a little water to activate. It leaves a residue in the daytime hiding places and seems to work for the better part of the season. I have heard of other ways but this has worked well enough not to look into them and I've only had to do again later in the season once.
Plumber

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » May 24th, '07, 13:05

How about dirt/mud dobbers???????

Have a great weekend and boat safe

Russell · Post by **Russell** » May 24th, '07, 19:37

If spiders are all you are getting, then I would leave them be, they may well be keeping the other bugs out! I used to have spiders aboard, but never any other bugs, now though I have not seen a spider in months, instead I have roaches, ugh! Now there is a critter that is tough to get rid of, this is becoming an endless battle.

Sailing Soldier · Post by **Sailing Soldier** » May 25th, '07, 07:27

I have also had good luck using a fogger. I think it was made by raid. Just button up the hatches & add a little water. Works great!

plumber · Post by **plumber** » May 25th, '07, 07:34

Using the fogger takes out just about all insects inside the boat and keeps them out for a wile. As far as keeping the spydees! You haven't lived until you have seen my wife leave a moving car when a spider dropped down in front of her!!!!!!!!!! She was driving!!!!
We have sat at anchor at dusk and watched them come down from all those places you can't see by the dozen.
Plumber

s-dupuis · Post by **s-dupuis** » Jun 1st, '07, 11:57

I remember reading an article in cruising world (several years ago) about a fellow in Florida who had a roach problem. The solution: He purposely put a particular spider aboard. I don't recall the type but I believe the word 'hunting was part of the spiders name - type. It was a rather large variety, as I recall.
This spider apparently was not harmful to humans, would build its nest in a nearly inaccessible locker area (where he found several cocooned roaches), and found it necessary to inform guests not to whollop his new 'crew member' if they should see it. Occasionally he would feel it scurrying across his face while lying in his bunk at night. A small price to pay for a permanent, live - aboard exterminator

Steve

Craig Curtis · Post by **Craig Curtis** » Jun 1st, '07, 14:32

Mark,

Not sure if you stay connected to shore power when in your slip, but there is a product you can plug into an electrical outlet about the size of a nightlight that does a fine job of keeping the spiders away, at least in Chicago where not a night goes by without several webs being strung in our standing rigging and lifelines. I can't recall the name of it offhand but a dock neighbor mentioned it to me about two years ago and I haven't had any 8 legged visitors inside my boat since. I believe we bought it at Home Depot for a few dollars.

Best Regards,

Craig Curtis
1990 Cape Dory 40 "Coalescence"
Belmont Harbor, Chicago

Bill Goldsmith · Post by **Bill Goldsmith** » Jun 1st, '07, 14:39

s-dupuis wrote:Occasionally he would feel it scurrying across his face while lying in his bunk at night. A small price to pay for a permanent, live - aboard exterminator

And if you get a spider bite, not to worry. After that, you will have the ability to point your wrist at the dock and pull the boat in from great distances without even needing a dock line!!!!!!

Angela and Tom · Post by **Angela and Tom** » Jun 1st, '07, 22:05

Are you all tied to slips? If you're on a mooring, how do the spiders and roaches get aboard? Swim from shore? Stow away in luggage?

A

Neil Gordon · Post by **Neil Gordon** » Jun 2nd, '07, 07:13

Angela and Tom wrote:Are you all tied to slips? If you're on a mooring, how do the spiders and roaches get aboard? Swim from shore? Stow away in luggage?

A

Slip or mooring, roaches are most likely to come aboard with the groceries.

As for spiders, bats and snakes, I'd rather have them than what they eat. (Although sharing the boat with a bat or snake might upset the rest of the crew.)

plumber · Post by **plumber** » Jun 4th, '07, 08:17

I have always wondered how the little critters got on my boat at the mooring. Then, my mate and I were sitting on a friends boat one evening having a couple of coldies after a great day of sailing when I noticed what looked like a bunch of fishing lines flappin in the breeze from the light post at the marina. Well, it turns out that they were spyders catching a ride on the breeze and they were headin' for the mooring field. I guess the bugs on the moored boats are tastier than the ones at the dock. Who Knew!!!
Plumber

The Cape Dory Board

Keeping out of the boat

Keeping out of the boat

spydees

foggers

Cock roaches & Spiders

Spider-sailor-man!!!

flying spydees