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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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How to get rid of spiders

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/23/2006 : 13:47:13

Hi All, Al started talking about spiders on his boat in another thread and I thought it would be a good thread all by itself as I can't leave the boat for a day without having cobwebs EVERYWHERE. I take ten minutes every time I go to the boat just to knock the cobwebs down. SOOOOO, what do you do to keep the spiders and cobwebs off the boat? Cheers.

Dennis
No Boat
S.E. Michigan

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Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2006 : 13:55:26

I was always told that spiders on board make a sound boat, as the spiders will not come aboard a sinking ship? I too have a good number of spiders that make their home on our boat. They were worse when we were on the mooring (didn't really knew that spiders could swim) anyway..... I was told that if you use fabric softner sheets that it would keep them at bay getting into stuff (boom and main sail) The interior is sealed up pretty tight so I hardly never get them going down into the cabin. Most of the spiders I get tend to spin their webs at the rear pulpit, forward pulpit, and between the lifelines and shrouds.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2006 : 14:02:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...what do you do to keep the spiders and cobwebs off the boat?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Well, some birds will eat them, if you hadn't run them all off!

Try keeping lizards aboard.

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cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2006 : 14:18:38

The PO of our boat recommended spraying the rubrail (where they like to hide) and each of the dock lines with spider specific insecticide. We still get them, but not as many as we used to. It's mud dobbers that we have a heck of a time with. They have no manners and are constantly buzzing around in the cabin.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2006 : 14:28:04

spiders are good!!! They kill the other annoying bugs.

Pepper spray will get rid of them.... Ceyenne pepper etc. works too.

What is a Mud Dobber? I gurantee they don't come close to what Lake Erie (and other great lakes) deals with the early season with Junebugs, mayflies, midges, canadian soldiers or whatever the name dujour is for the darn things.

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cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2006 : 15:26:24

Duane,
Mud dobbers are wasps that like to build nests made out of mud. They like to put them in dark out of the way places. Like under sail covers, in the folds of curtains. I even found one between the table in the cabin and the bulkhead where it is stored. I have vent slots in my crib boards and have been considering cutting a piece of furnace filter and placing it over the slots. The air will still get through, but the wasps will be held at bay. I know there are other entry points, but this is one of the largest ones.

BTW: My father lives in Kent, OH, so I know what you mean about the bugs in your area.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2006 : 16:07:27

This is actually the first year that I have a spider problem this bad. I believe it can be traced to the fact that I have been traveling a lot this year and haven't sailed much, let alone keep it as clean as normal. Naturally a boat that just sits is going to attract critters.

Similarly, two years ago the boat sat for two weeks during intermitant periods of heavy rain and cold weather. Since the boat wasn't opened and aired out I got some nasty mildew inside the hull. Major scrubbing and complete interior paint fixed it up but it was a lessoned learned that I should have applied to the spider problem. The bottom line is if you don't keep a tight (clean) ship you'll end up with dirt, mildew, and vermin and other unhealthy stuff on board.
That's probably the best way to ensure you don't start with something you don't want.

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Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2006 : 16:40:57

I've found 2 products that work very well, but depend on the "care" you take in applying them. The first is very inexpensive and works quite well for about a weeks time. Mix 1/2 water and 1/2 clorox into a spray bottle. Spray your transom (boats on moorings) and watch the webs disintegrate! It break all the bonding points that the spyder has spun into the web. It will continue to stop the spyders from building webs for about a week. Spyders just give up and fall off.

The other product is Cynoff and is specifically for killing spyders. It works for about 2 months on whatever you spray it on. It will kill the spyders and you will never see them on your boat. One problem is that is is very dangerous to fish. It is a white powder that you mix with water (1/2 teaspoon to half gallon). I take care in spraying it on the upper transom and under the rub rail. It puts up a barrier that spyders will not cross and like I said before, you won't see them at all. Good for basements or spraying around foundations. Be carefull you do not spray in the water - you don't want a large fish kill in your marina. I have not noticed any problems with it. The powder "sticks" to your boat and is not washed off with the first rain.

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2006 : 18:34:56

Geckos love spiders

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2006 : 19:54:32

Poor Geckos would not like January in Michigan. I like the idea but don't think I could find them for removel. Cheers.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/23/2006 : 20:09:55

I like the idea of the fish kill, sometimes my lake smells like fish!

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2006 : 11:09:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 Poor Geckos would not like January in Michigan. I like the idea but don't think I could find them for removel. Cheers.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Removal? No problem. If there's no spiders left to eat, they just disappear to buggier pastures. You could import a new herd of geckos every spring.

Steve

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