Otter Control Suggestions?

[Gerry S.]

A marine otter is intermittently using my 28-ft. sailboat's cockpit and deck as a combination sushi bar and latrine. Scientifically, it's amazing to see what passes through an otter's digestive tract (crab shells, etc.), but it sure isn't pleasant to find the evidence in your cockpit!

Does anyone have any experience with a benign, yet effective way of discouraging such otter intrusions? Any help will be appreciated.
:confused:

[John Bell]

You could trythe Joshua Slocum approach and sprinkle carpet tacks all over the deck... ;)

Seriously, I wish I knew. This one will be interesting to watch unfold. Maybe you should just be glad you don't have those 500 lb sea lions on your deck like they sometimes get down in California.

[Alan D. Hyde]

Try scattering some old-fashioned Napthalene moth balls around the cockpit area. Replace as needed. It should work.

It works for skunks, and for peach borers.

I'm not sure whether or not the napthalene balls may stain surfaces as the rain over time dissolves them, but I suppose that's a possibility. Anyone here with direct experience???

Alan

[Ken Hutchins]

Visit your local farm supply store, get a cattle fence charger, insulators and some wire. :D After it gets zapped it will avoid your boat when it sees the wire, then you can sell the charger to another boat owner who will be needing it. :D

[JimM]

I second Ken's suggestion. Buy a solar powered or battery powered fence charger. Make a temporary frame the holds the wire away from the side of the boat but close enough that the otter has to through it trying to climb in the boat. Be sure to ground the charger with a wire overboard with a peice of hardware cloth to make a good ground. A charged electric fence with the wire 6" above the ground will keep beaver out of apple orchards. I have also used charged electric fences to keep mink and river otters out of hatchery ponds. Should work on a boat.

Jim McGee

[ 04-05-2004, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: JimM ]

[Paul Scheuer]

The folks on the ComPac mailing list are touting Bounce fabric softener sheets to discourage just about everything.

[Billy Bones]

Originally posted by Paul Scheuer:
The folks on the ComPac mailing list are touting Bounce fabric softener sheets to discourage just about everything.It sure repels me! What a good idea--I wonder how well it works. Apparently there is a lot of silicone in those things so make sure yourbrightwork is sealed so you don't have any later varnishing bugaboos.

[Mrleft8]

First try putting an inflatable Godzilla in your cockpit. Not only will it frighten the otter, but I'll bet it gets newspaper coverage as well...

[Greg H]

I don't meet many otters around here, but Michelle uses bounce fabric softener sheets to keep mosquitos away when she exercises outside. Seems to work somewhat.

[Mike Vogdes]

What does otter taste like?

[stevenj]

like chicken!

[Dale R. Hamilton]

Why not just shoot the damn thing and be done with it.

[Otter]

Um... I say be nice to him and give him some more fish. :D

[Gerry S.]

Thanks for all (well, most at least) the suggestions. I'm inclined to try the naphthalene idea. I'll probably put it in some sort of perforated container suspended from the boom, in order to keep it off the paint.

The cattle fence idea is interesting, but rather complicated. Also, there might be electrolysis ramifications if using the sea for ground.

Thank goodness we have no sea lions in my moorage area. Makes you count your blessings!

I'll report back later on effectiveness of naphthalene.

[paladin]

transplant some ALLYGATIRS

[Otter]

Gerry you'll just end up with a bunch of runaway teenage otters carrying paper bags hanging around the cockpit looking for some "napth time" as the young otters call it.