Pest Control Tips for Your Boat

Pests at sea? Yes, pests are found on board ships, yachts and boats of any size. Find out what are the most common boat pests, and how you can avoid an infestation.

Most common pests found in boats

Cockroaches and Ants

These are the most common pests found at sea. They easily come on board (mostly through hitchhiking), and all they need is food, shelter, and fresh water – found on all watercraft.

Rats and Mice

Like a home, sea vessels are vulnerable to rat and mice infestations. Whether docked on water or land, rats and mice can board your vessel through holes as small as a 10-cent coin. Rats can swim and scale mooring ropes and chains – so getting on board is a common occurrence.

They can cause serious damage to wiring, fixtures, and fittings due to their incessant need to gnaw. Physical damage can lead to costly repairs and even pose a fire hazard.

Fleas and bed bugs

Commonly associated with pets and hotels, fleas and bed bugs can also find their way on boats. Bed bugs are great travelers and often hitch a ride on luggage. Fleas can travel on human or animal hosts. Bed bugs hide in hard-to-reach places like in appliances, clocks, bags, beds and other furnishings.

Termites

Most people think that termites only attack structures on land, however, watercraft are also at risk. Although this is not a common occurrence, infestations of termites do occur from time to time. If an infestation does occur, it can also be a quarantine issue if you dock at international destinations.