|
Home | Forums | Gallery | Webcams | Blogs | YouTube Channel | Classifieds | Calendar | Register | FAQ | Donate | Members List | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
03-13-2018, 05:45 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: N/A
Posts: 36
Thanks: 2
Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts
|
Keeping otters out of boathouse
We have struggled with unwanted otter "presents" in our boathouse for quite some time. It can get very frustrating: the smell, having to scrape the stuff off the boathouse floor.
The previous owner was so frustrated he sat in a hide all night with a gun. No comment on whether that was a good idea, but at least the otters figured it out and no shots were fired. We tried leaving a boom box running all the time. This worked for several weeks but they figured it out and went back to their old habits. We've now installed a PestZilla animal repellant, which is an alarm and strobe light attached to a motion sensor. Surprisingly for such a simple solution, it has totally cured our problem. But knowing these animals to be loath to give up, does anyone have any suggestions for a more robust solution? Thank you! |
03-13-2018, 06:37 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Alton Bay
Posts: 5,547
Blog Entries: 2
Thanks: 2,398
Thanked 1,918 Times in 1,061 Posts
|
You can try a wildlife exterminator. They can trap and relocate in many cases.
Here is one. I do know the owner personally, but have never used his service. Contact Scott at: Http://estatewildlifecontrol.com If he can't help you, I'm sure he will try to advise you on what to do. Dave Sent from my SM-T580 using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app
__________________
I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!! |
03-13-2018, 11:36 AM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 20
Thanks: 8
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
We have the same problem, nothing has seemed to work. This winter we ran fencing around the top of the boat slip in the boathouse on the deck and that has kept them out. A good solution for the winter, but I’m sure they will be back when we take the fencing down when the boat goes in......Any chance you are in Alton Bay and we can share the trapper in their territory?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
03-13-2018, 01:53 PM | #4 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 391
Thanks: 20
Thanked 130 Times in 93 Posts
|
Quote:
|
|
03-13-2018, 04:26 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,411
Thanks: 719
Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts
|
Dwight Pennell in Tuftonboro is a trapper. I am not sure if he traps otters. His number is a 539- number.
|
Sponsored Links |
|
03-14-2018, 11:53 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH
Posts: 3,752
Thanks: 1,966
Thanked 1,071 Times in 676 Posts
|
Are there any otters? That's an otter joke.
|
03-14-2018, 12:30 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Gilford, NH and Florida
Posts: 2,897
Thanks: 644
Thanked 2,153 Times in 900 Posts
|
Just otters?
Just otters? Do you have trouble with any other creatures taking up residence in the boathouse?
I had a big problem with birds and they would perch on lights or ceiling beams and leave their droppings all over the boat. It only occurs for the first month or so of the season. The overhead door in the boathouse comes down to about a foot above the water at the spring water level and they would just fly under it. I finally made a wood beam with lattice attached that goes across the opening below the door and hangs down and blocks their access. It only has to stay there until mid June. I assume that by then the birds have found another place to hang around. |
03-14-2018, 01:17 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 962
Thanks: 495
Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts
|
Home Tweet Home
In the spring, we have had robins build nests on the beams under our porch roof. To prevent this, we install pieces of wood to fill these ledge areas. If a nest has been built prior to opening our place on East Bear Island, we do not disturb it. When no longer needed, we remove the nest. 🐻
|
03-14-2018, 04:50 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Moultonboro, NH
Posts: 2,860
Thanks: 461
Thanked 666 Times in 366 Posts
|
|
03-14-2018, 05:15 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,411
Thanks: 719
Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts
|
|
03-16-2018, 09:29 AM | #11 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: N/A
Posts: 36
Thanks: 2
Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts
|
Quote:
It's interesting your fencing solution worked. We had been thinking about something similar but received wisdom was that they'll get through anything. If things get really bad, I'd be interested to run netting to the ground inside the bays and have a mechanized way of running it to ground in front of the bay doors. If the otters aren't too persistent, this might convince them to look elsewhere. So far we've had four good months with the little motion sensor / annoying sound box. We're lucky in that the otters always do their business in the same place, which apparently is a known behavior. Putting the box in that area has really spooked them. As a second tactic, I've considered cleaning the floor in that area with Pine Sol. The Internet says that keeps them away too -- they prefer areas that have their smell, and Pine Sol apparently repulses them. I'd be very interested to see if the motion sensor box works for you. Would build conviction it will continue working in the future. |
|
03-16-2018, 09:52 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 301
Thanks: 539
Thanked 39 Times in 23 Posts
|
This thread
This thread is otterly ridiculous
|
03-16-2018, 11:01 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH
Posts: 3,752
Thanks: 1,966
Thanked 1,071 Times in 676 Posts
|
|
05-15-2018, 12:40 PM | #14 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: N/A
Posts: 36
Thanks: 2
Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts
|
Just a quick update for anyone who is also struggling with otters (or wants an excuse to post more puns):
We initially started with a radio (on 24 hours a day) and the animal motion detector. This worked for about two months, but then they returned. Moving the motion sensor (not necessarily closer to where they like to go, just for surprise) bought us another month. In the last month we turned off the radio and moved the motion sensor right where they like to go, and so far we've had no incursions. I spoke with our pest control fellow. He said he knows a specialist and will do some research, but in general trapping doesn't work because the otter population is too large. |
05-15-2018, 01:58 PM | #15 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough
Posts: 1,485
Thanks: 337
Thanked 212 Times in 116 Posts
|
Quote:
One year, we had a beaver problem under the boathouse (crib dock). That was annoying, but it was fun to see the beaver around now and then. Never did figure out that otter problem...now the house is someone else's.
__________________
"When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it." |
|
05-18-2018, 07:16 AM | #16 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 20
Thanks: 8
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
The top deck fencing worked this winter. Now that it’s down I’m sure they will return, but it was nice not having to deal with their “mess” and smell all winter......
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
05-18-2018, 08:46 AM | #17 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: N/A
Posts: 36
Thanks: 2
Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts
|
Quote:
What do you mean by "top deck fencing?" Did you put a fence around your boat bays? How did you secure it to the floor? Thank you so much! |
|
10-29-2018, 02:35 PM | #18 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 20
Thanks: 8
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
This is how I fenced them out, it worked last year and so far this year as well. It’s nice not having that smell in the boathouse...
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
Bookmarks |
|
|