Rodent Damage: A Hidden Threat to Boats in Storage (and How to Prevent It) By Northern Lakes Boat Company

As any seasoned Michigan boater knows, winter isn’t just hard on the weather—it’s tough on boats, too. And one of the most frustrating (and expensive) issues we see every spring?

Rodent damage.

Mice, squirrels, and other small critters love boats in storage. They’re dry, sheltered, and full of soft, chewable materials perfect for nesting. But the damage they leave behind can be far worse than a few chewed wires.

What Rodents Can Destroy:

• Wiring and electronics: Chewed electrical wires can disable navigation, lighting, ignition systems, and more.

• Upholstery and insulation: Seats, foam, and even headliners make perfect nesting material.

• Hoses and fuel lines: Damaged hoses can lead to leaks, malfunctions, or even dangerous conditions.

• Life jackets, towels & other gear.

• Foul smells and droppings: Rodents leave behind urine, feces, and decomposition odors that are hard to clean and even harder to forget.

Prevention & Mitigation Tips:

At Northern Lakes Boat Company, we take rodent protection seriously. Here are some effective strategies we recommend:

1. Keep It Clean

   Remove all food, crumbs, and scented items (like sunscreen or bait). Rodents have an incredible sense of smell.

2. Seal Access Points

   Close off all vents, gaps, and small openings with steel wool or mesh. Pay special attention to under-console areas and engine compartments.

3. Use Rodent Repellents

   Place mothballs, dryer sheets, or commercial rodent deterrents in key areas—but avoid placing them near air intakes or where pets/kids may be exposed. Many customers do this before dropping off their boats for storage,

4. Elevate and Cover

   Storing your boat on a trailer with the tongue elevated reduces access points. We never store boats on the ground. If they don’t have their own trailer, they are always on blocks which drastically reduces rodent intrusion.

5. Store with the Pros

   Our professional boat storage service includes rodent mitigation—because prevention is far cheaper than repairs. That’s why we hired Critter Control to maintain numerous bait boxes around our facility to keep rodent numbers as low as possible.

   Don’t let your boat become a winter home for unwanted guests. Trust Northern Lakes

   Boat Company for clean, green, secure, and rodent-conscious storage options.

Learn more or reserve your spot for winter storage at NLBoatCo.com

Call us today before space fills up!