Mouse on a C-Dory

C

CaptMac

New member
I went out to check on the boat the other night and noticed a few unusual looking pellets which I later confirmed as mouse droppings. I don't store any food or drink on board. How did a mouse get inside, I wondered, because the door was shut and the window screens were closed? I found the access point by looking under the starboard gunnel at the rear of the cabin where the steering cable passes through. I soon found the little fella by looking in the sb battery compartment before he squirmed out of sight.

Questions: (1) What is the best way to seal off the steering cable opening from a mouse having access? (2) Any ideas for a solution to ward off the pests in the future? I understand poison is not the preferred method because they'll crawl under something and die. Baited traps left on the boat are probably not the answer because my backyard borders on hundreds of state park acres and the smell of food will likely attract other pests.
 
Mac,

Your best bet to get rid of mice is a .44 Magnum...oops, maybe not in the boat!!!

Seriously, think about an ultra-sonic emitter. It will not only chase the little bugger out, but keep others from boarding.

Until then, stuff any openings with steel wool sprayed with corrosion block and wrapped in plastic. Mice won't chew through steel to get in and the other two will keep it from rusting.

Two new TomCats in stock...and can order your blue one at any time!

Charlie
Wefing's Marine
 
I seal that opening with a sponge to keep insects out. Dampen it, stuff it in the hole, and it will expand and dry to seal the area, but is easily removed. Spray it down with some awful tasting stuff if the little bugger chews on it.
Al
 
Mice can get in the anchor rode hause pipe--alse they are able to squeeze thru incrediably small places. I would consider foam, like "great stuff"--but put a couple of pieces of PvC pipe in first for furture wires or cables.--Put a pvc cap over the outboard end of the pipe.
 
I use scotchbrite pads in the cableway holes to the cabin under the gunwales. Just wrap around the cable(s) and slide into the hole. I don't think mice or rats find the material appetizing and it won't rust.

Cheers - Dave
 
hey capt. mac
there is a spray foam substance, i believe it's called fire stop. works great and should you need access to the port hole, easy to penetrate. doesn't mean they can't chew thru it but has worked thus far. also, i was concerned with this problem so in addition to the pass thru under the gunnel i also glassed over the water vent at the bottom of the aft cabin bulkhead, where the cockpit water flows to the bilge pump reservoir, under the galley cabinet. hate those little creatures, also the little lady wouldn't sleep in the boat with the possibility of mice crawling about.
need the little lady aboard for proper ballast.
hope this helps
pat
 
CapMac-
The best way to catch the little buggers is to use glue boards with a piece
of chocklat for bait. Check the glue board every day, they sure do start to stink if left very long.
I used scotchbright pads to fill small entry ways. It's worked so far. Good luck and happy hunting.
 
Poison the rotten little buggers! :amgry Then also use the sticky traps. Poison the boat storage building if you use one............DON'T BE NICE TO MICE! They are very destructive to boats and wires :amgry :amgry . An all out genocide of the local mouse population is necessary to control them. Its a war to me.

The potential down side to the poison is a smelly little dead mouse........ Easier to fix than new wires and chewed upholstery.

Good Hunting!!!!

Chris Bulovsky
 
pcator":1y112e78 said:
We have 12 cats = zero mice.......
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I think I'd only have room for 8 cats, or so, on my 22. You're lucky you've got a 25 and room for all those cats! :shock: :cat :cat :cat :cat :cat :cat :cat :cat :cat :cat :cat :cat

Darn, that's lots of kitties!!

We've found also, in our camping trailer (28' Coachmen) that those Dryer Softner Sheets (Bounce) work well too. Just spread them around. Don't have to feed them or change their litter boxes either... :cry

Charlie
 
CaptMac":incohd46 said:
<stuff clipped> (2) Any ideas for a solution to ward off the pests in the future? I understand poison is not the preferred method because they'll crawl under something and die.
Click to expand...

Snakes!!!

Snakes on a boat - could be a great movie....
 
rogerbum":1368laeh said:
CaptMac":1368laeh said:
<stuff clipped> (2) Any ideas for a solution to ward off the pests in the future? I understand poison is not the preferred method because they'll crawl under something and die.
Click to expand...

Snakes!!!

Snakes on a boat - could be a great movie....
Click to expand...

Wasm't there just a movie about snakes let loose on an airplane? (Didn't see it, just the ads on TV.)

Joe.
 
When we had our 16', I removed the engine cover on our Honda 50, and saw shredded paper towels packed in various places. As I was cleaning the mess, a mouse appeared and then squeezed down where I couldn't see him. As I was sucking up the finer pieces of the shredded towels, I saw his beady little eyes peering out at me. I took the nozzle of the shop vac and sucked him up against the nozzle, then turned off the vac, dropping him to the garage floor and stomped on him. A close inspection of all the wiring, revealed no damage and the engine ran fine.

(Now, I remove the engine covers periodically and check for signs of stowaway mice).
 
DaveS":10g6ssi7 said:
When we had our 16', I removed the engine cover on our Honda 50, and saw shredded paper towels packed in various places. As I was cleaning the mess, a mouse appeared and then squeezed down where I couldn't see him. As I was sucking up the finer pieces of the shredded towels, I saw his beady little eyes peering out at me. I took the nozzle of the shop vac and sucked him up against the nozzle, then turned off the vac, dropping him to the garage floor and stomped on him. A close inspection of all the wiring, revealed no damage and the engine ran fine.

(Now, I remove the engine covers periodically and check for signs of stowaway mice).
Click to expand...

I have alerted PETA to the unconscionable actions of this big brave man with the Suction Machine from Hell and the size 15 Army Boots!

Wishing you plesant dreams and found remembrances for our little furry friends,

Joe. :unlove
 
Sea Wolf":1d7b8b1x said:
I have alerted PETA to the unconsciable actions of this big brave man with the Suction Machine from Hell and the size 15 Army Boots!
Joe. :unlove
Click to expand...

Joe, I'll have you know that I utilized every part of the intruder. His pelt was made into a dandy throw rug, his internal parts fertilized the garden and at the next CBC, I'll be bringing a tasty snack for you to dine on. :smilep
 
DaveS":36jnrhho said:
Sea Wolf":36jnrhho said:
I have alerted PETA to the unconsciable actions of this big brave man with the Suction Machine from Hell and the size 15 Army Boots!
Joe. :unlove
Click to expand...

Joe, I'll have you know that I utilized every part of the intruder. His pelt was made into a dandy throw rug, his internal parts fertilized the garden and at the next CBC, I'll be bringing a tasty snack for you to dine on. :smilep
Click to expand...

MOUSE MOUSSE???

JOE.
 
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