No shrink wrap for winter ?

[SkiTundra]

Our boat was in the shop since 19 June getting repaired from storm damage. The guys at Midwest Winterizing who usually shrink wrap it can't come to my place to do it this late in the season and I'm not sure I want to haul it the 55 miles each way to their shop where they can. This given some stuff that needs repair on this 16-year-old trailer (tires are old, brakes not working so well, bearings likely need to be rebuilt).

How risky to just have it stored under a covered shed with the canvas cover on it? I'm thinking I can wrap the lower edges of the cover with packing stretch wrap to maybe help keep critters out.

Thoughts? Too risky and not worth it?

Thanks,

[MN Ryan]

It's winterized but just not wrapped? If so, I honestly wouldn't have a problem storing it like that. Maybe strap a tarp over the top of the boat cover?

[SkiTundra]

Thanks. Yeah, the engine, bilge and ballast pumps were all winterized.

What's your thinking on the tarp?

FWIW, here it is in the shed:

[MN Ryan]

You may get differing opinions, but yeah, I would not have a problem storing like that. My thought on the tarp would just be to keep wind-blown dirt, bird crap, etc from accumulating on the cover. Probably not necessary but just another layer of protection.

[SkiTundra]

If I do it, I'm trying to think through what else to do. Some cloves inside might be a bit of a deterrent? A Kness Ketch-All or three nearby?

[MN Ryan]

If there's no food in it and it's cold, there's not much to draw them in there. I would probably put poison bait stations in it and call it good. I don't think shrink wrap would keep mice out, anyways.

[Scooter G]

Umm, maybe skip the poison (good idea Ryan). As they bleed to death internally is search of hydration they will crawl into some obscure location to die. You will discover the stench of death sometime in March, but the location of the corpses will remain a mystery. 20 years in pest control, made a lot of coin on odor control (thanks D-con).
Go with glue boards, stops them in their tracks, and easy to dispose of. I still buy these by the case, for the motor home, enclosed trailers, sheds and shop. Last time a heard of mice will ever chew up something of mine, little fetchers. You could throw some mechanical enclosed traps along the side of the shed if you want to be a little over the top.

[SkiTundra]

Thanks guys.

For repellant inside the boat for mice & squirrels… Irish Spring soap? Clove? Vinegar? Ultrasonic?

[MN Ryan]

Will glue traps still work when it's -10 F for a high? This is MN. Honest question--I have no clue.

Scooter G's post reminded me of a story. Fall is prime time for mice to invade our house, despite everything I do to ward them off. A few years ago, I went down into my furnace room/workshop for something and instantly knew there was a dead mouse. I know exactly where I have traps, and one just happened to be missing. It took some time sniffing around, but I finally found that little SOB. It had gotten its hind leg stuck and dragged the trap 20' across the room and up on top of the compressor of our chest freezer where it had died. A valiant effort, indeed, but I was glad I'd found it rather quickly.

[Scooter G]

Bahaha, good story, the tenacious trap dragger. We all know the smell.
Glue traps, good point, we've used them in walk in freezers, but I think they tap out at about 0 degrees, but pretty sure the mice aren't moving either at the -10 point.
Now for Irish Springs, I know you can repel the opposite sex with that stuff, so maybe...

[SkiTundra]

From reading a bunch of stuff it sounds like ultrasonic doesn't really work.

[Michael Crouse]

I keep mine under the boat cover in my shed. I have had good results with dryer sheets stuffed in various locations around the interior. I have never had a critter yet, and the bonus is the boat smells fresh when I pull the cover in March.

[Scooter G]

I forgot I used to do that with the dryer sheets, thanks for the reminder Michael Crouse. Nothing like the spring fresh smell of Bounce when you open the lockers next season. Not sure if they work for critters, maybe

[MN Ryan]

We have always used dryer sheets in our winterized cabin. Multiple times, I've found mouse nests with chewed up dryer sheets incorporated into them.

[Scooter G]

If you are going to have mice, crucial that they have fresh breath.
I read that it is a misconception that they work, but I don't want to jinx anyone if they are having success.