Ah! Mouse on my boat

Do not panic, read our tips and tricks, and keep sailing smoothly…
Mice  live almost everywhere. Usually they will climb on the boat by themselves, or they can hide in the luggage and have a free pass on-board.
If you are reaching a smaller and less populated islands, the chance of having mouse on the boat is increasing. Having one around will definitely create discomfort, but there shouldn’t be greater harm unless they go for the electric installations. Usually, they will attack food, unless there is no food on board.
Imagine…you are sailing in the Adriatic or any other sea, you will desire to moor in the wild and lonely coves. You will enjoy silence, dinner will be served on aft deck of the boat, the boat will be tied with the shoreline… That shoreline is the red carpet invitation for our little friends.
That’s why it’s important:
• first, put a paratop (Italian for mouse guard)… a wide round smooth board with a shoreline diameter hole in the middle to install on a shoreline itself or tie a larger plastic bottle to the shoreline to make it difficult for rodents to reach the boat.
• remember to clean all food leftovers from the aft deck, and storage food properly
• do not leave garbage in the cockpit or in the lockers
• while you are away, close all the hatches and doors
• if you are moored ashore, remember to take the plank off, rodents are more active in the evening

How to recognize that you have a mouse on the boat?
• noises during the evening
• tiny mouse droppings in the interior
• a strangely bitten piece of food
• small bites on the food containers
• if you notice torn paper napkins or newspaper, it will indicate that most likely you have female breeder on the boat, with nest probably under the deck
How to catch a mouse?
• establish a location of your little friend, close all the cabin doors, hatches… you are trying  to restrict his movements…leave the main entrance of the boat open, so he can leave the boat
• the easiest method to catch a mouse is by using the mouse trap special glue, a thin layer needs to be applied on a cardboard surface or a smaller wood
• the latest food trend in mouse lifestyle, is a cocktail which includes plum, bacon (pancetta) and tomato on a mouse trap
• mouse do not like the smell of petroleum and gasoline, maybe you can try to use it
• in the market , you can buy electronic and ultrasonic rodent dispensers…ultrasound waves are attacking the rodent’s auditory and nervous system…for humans and most pets  it is harmless, but we advice you not to be there while device is on
Safety comes first!