Bird Droppings
Bird droppings are one of the less pleasant aspects of boat ownership, but it’s something every sailor has had to deal with. They love the high-up perches provided by your mast and spreaders where they can gather to rest and eat. Unfortunately for your poor boat, this means that everything they leave behind – poop, fish entrails and more – can wind up encrusted on your boat’s paintwork, deck, and canvas. Returning to your boat and finding it smeared with droppings doesn’t just mean hours of cleaning; it may even cause lasting damage to the canvas and bodywork of your vessel. Bird droppings are notoriously difficult to clean off and, if left awhile, can eventually bleach textiles, leaving unsightly white stains.
Mess aside, bird poop has also been found to harbor large numbers of potentially dangerous bacteria, such as E. coli. With all the risks and inconveniences associated with gull droppings, the best way to protect your boat is to make sure birds don’t land there in the first place.
Deterring them is easier than you might think, and the methods of doing so are often low maintenance and easy to implement. There are several simple methods when it comes to repelling birds! There is a wide range of anti-bird devices for boats to choose from, or you can opt for a simple home remedy, such as stringing up monofilament fishing line to prevent birds from landing. Or try using bird spikes or CD’s hanging from your lines.