How to Deter Ducks From Nesting on a Boat

Ducks may be a majestic site flying through the air, but that same majesty transforms into a mess when they nest in your boat. Ducks nest for an average of 21 to 35 days depending on the species, and will charge and attack intruders that venture too close to their fragile eggs. Deterring ducks before they nest on your boat not only keeps your boat clean, but encourages ducks to nest someplace safer.

Things You'll Need

  • Wild bird seed
  • Motion sensor spot light
  • Motion-activated sprinkler
  • Bird netting
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed the ducks away from your boat. Toss a few handfuls of wild bird seed on the ground away from your boat to encourage ducks to nest closer to a readily available food source.

    • 2

      Set up motion sensor spot lights on your boat. Ducks are frightened and will fly away when the spotlights turn on. Move the lights every two or three days to prevent the ducks from becoming familiar with their locations.

    • 3

      Attach motion-activated sprinklers to the edge of the boat. As the ducks fly in to land on the boat, the sprinklers will blast them with powerful jets of water. Ducks may be aquatic birds, but they dislike being squirted and will nest elsewhere.

    • 4

      Cover your boat with bird netting. Drape the netting over the boat, fold it together around the hull and bow, and tie it to the underside of the boat trailer to keep ducks from flying under it. The netting is strong enough to keep the birds out, but soft enough not to scratch your boat.