Imagine it’s the weekend, and you are finally going out on a boat trip with your family and friends that you’ve been planning for weeks. You walk down the docks with a cooler of cold beverages, bags of snacks, and towels. And you have your best friend playing some great tunes.
After sitting in your boat, you suddenly feel a little tickle on your neck. You can turn around and get shocked at the massive spider the size of a golf ball. And if there’s one, there’s bound to be more. Ready to traumatize a new victim.
If you don’t want this scenario, this article will help you how to keep spiders out of the boat.
Spiders are helpful arachnids that can control the insect population on your property. But there are not always welcome guests, especially in your boat.
Fortunately, there are ways you can repel them, like:
- Using spider-repellent spray.
- Routinely cleaning your boat.
- Installing bug screens and nets.
If spiders keep coming into your boat, the tips below should help you keep them away.
5 Ways To Keep Spiders Off Your Boat
There’s no denying how helpful spiders can be, especially in controlling the pest population. But there are some places where you don’t want them to be, like your boat.
Spiders love warm, covered boats. And it can be difficult to stop them. They can leave a trail of web and tiny dots of poops. Yes, those tiny black spots on your vinyl seating are poop.
Fortunately, you can prevent spiders from getting into you by using the methods below.
1. Spider Repellent Spray
This is typically the most recommended method for keeping spiders off your boat. But be cautious when using such products. You can find plenty of products that can repel spiders and insects.
However, there are products with chemicals that can damage the exterior and interior of your boat.
Harsh chemicals in spider sprays can:
- Poison pets and other animals.
- Discolor paint or vinyl seats.
- Leave an unpleasant odor.
- Cause harm to the environment.
So it would be best to use natural repellents like peppermint or lavender oil.
Below are the three best places for you to spray your spider repellent:
- Spray on connections you have with the dock or lift with your boat, like ropes and cleats.
- Spray on your boat’s doors and entrances.
- Spray on your boat’s nooks and crannies where spiders could build their web.
2. Routine Clean
Never miss a routine clean for your boat. Not only will it keep your boat clean and tidy so you can enjoy your boating experience. But it also ensures that no bugs and insects will make a permanent home, which decreases the spider’s food supply.
Despite some people’s beliefs, spiders will not get any crumbs on the floor. But they will eat the insects that eat those crumbs, like ants and flies.
Below are four tips for cleaning and organizing your boat:
- Ensure you have no leftover food and drinks on your boat, especially when you are not using them.
- Have a broom closet so you can clean up after when there are any crumbs and spills.
- Spray surfaces with a hose every once a week or after use.
- Use a vacuum for those hard-to-reach places to ensure you have no hidden crumbs.
- Keep clutters to a minimum to reduce the chances of spiders making a web.
It would be best to make it a habit for you to clean your boat. If you commit an extra 15 minutes to clean your boat after use, you’d be surprised at how effectively it can keep insects away.
3. Essential Oils
Essential oils work just like spider spray repellent you buy from the store. But one difference is it’s all-natural, meaning there are no risks of harming the environment. And you could already have some in your house.
Below are a few tips to help you out when using essential oils:
- Peppermint and rosemary are the typical extracts that can repel spiders and other bugs.
- You can soak cotton balls in oil and place them in dark corners or high-traffic areas.
- You can also dilute the oil with water in a spray bottle and spray the solutions in the same areas above.
- Using a diffuser can spread the scent in a larger area.
Besides keeping spiders and insects out of your boat, you’ll make it smell much better.
4. Fogger or “Bug Bomb”
Foggers or “bug bombs” will release a thick fog of microscopic insecticide if you use them. It lets you kill all the spiders and insects that hide in small nooks and crannies of your boat. You can typically buy this product on Amazon or your local hardware store.
But you should only use this product when you have a serious case because it can be difficult to set up and dangerous if you don’t follow instructions.
These products also have harsh chemicals that no human or animal should breathe. So ensure you know what you are doing before using this product.
After releasing the fog, let it settle and ensure no one gets it in until the process is over. Then, clean up the spiders and other insects on the floor and vacant spider webs.
5. Covers and Screens
This is probably the simplest way at keeping spiders out of your boat. Buying a boat cover and installing spider screens and nets will not only decrease the entry points to your boat. But make the other methods above more effective.
Boat Cover
If you own a boat, you most likely have a boat cover. Taking the time to put on the boat cover after using your boat will decrease the number of spiders making a home in your boat.
You can go one step further and spray essential oils on your cover to ensure no spiders will enter.
Bug Screens and Nets
Bug screens and nets work the same as a boat cover. But you can customize it, and it’s cheaper. You can choose multiple options in stores.
So it’s essential to buy something that fits your boat’s needs.
Conclusion
Spiders are helpful insects in controlling the pest population. But they can be a nuisance, especially when they make homes in your boat.
Fortunately, you can repel them using spray repellents or essential oils or by routinely cleaning your boat. So if you know anyone having spider problems in their boat, sharing this article should help them on how to keep spiders out of the boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Are Spiders Commonly Found?
You’ll typically find spiders in a dark and out-of-the-way place, like your attic and basement. Some like to hang out in moist places, while others look for dry areas.
Are Spiders Dangerous?
Most spider species are harmless and non-venomous. Some even have fangs too small to bite and penetrate the skin. But there are venomous species like the black widow that will require immediate medical care if someone gets bitten.
How Do I Get Rid of a Spider Infestation?
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to eliminate a spider infestation on your own. If you have venomous spiders, calling pest control would be the best course of action to avoid any accidents.
