The key word is 'at anchor' when it pertains to critter like rats or
cockaroaches. The primary answer in the warmer climates is never tie up at
a dock or pier, always stay at anchor. The secondary answer is never bring
cardboard boxes on the boat. To be more defninitive I'll put it this way.
Go shopping and buy fresh fruits and vegetables and food in cans. Put them
in string type bags such as those onions come in. For larger items such as
stalks of bananas tie a piece of line around them. Prior to bringing them
aboard dunk the whole lot in the water and let them stay under for no less
than 10 minutes. Then bring them up and take the out of the net bag one at
a time and pass them on board. The banana stalk, should be green, leave
under for no less than 20 minutes. This will take care of the vermin .uh
erh uhh the vermon in fine style. The reason for no cardboard is most of
the items are stored ship's holds and warehouses for quite a while. The
little bugs, cockaroaches especially, lay their eggs in all the little
corrugated folds. You find out about them too late. The reason for not
tying up is . . . .rats climb mooring lines.

Now as to the other sort of vermin that may come aboard? If at anchor a lot
of them aren't tempted. No ready access or more importantly egress. For
those that make it that far the answer is . .I'm not telling. NEVER
advertise what you have until it's all over.

Which reminds me . . .did I ever tell the Rottweiler story?

M.




"Peter Wiley" wrote in message
. ..
In article , Joe
wrote:

Damn it! A mouse has invaded my wheelhouse. Last night I found a
potato that a mouse had half eaten. I set the traps with chuncky
peanut butter and the little sucker ate it without setting the traps
off. I heard him scampering across the decks the other night but
thought it was a bird. Tonight I will use sharp chedder cheese in the
rat traps and hope I get em.

Nothing worse than a rat jumping on-board.

Ill take the trash to the dumpster, arm all traps,load the 22 rifle
with a scope and rat shot, put out posion and listen for that pitter
patter of little feet on the deck.

What do you do to prevent rats from boarding?

Live in Australia.

What do you do at anchor to prevent boarders from killing you and
taking your boat?

See above.

PDW