Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
Every summer end of July to mid September, depending on the weather, dock spiders , big round fat spiders swarm the sailboats on our lake . They secrete some kind of black substance that leaves very hard to get out black spots on the gel coat . I've been using spray nine and a stiff brush to try get the spots out it's barely working , someone suggested FSR im trying that next ..If anyone has run into this seasonal plague and had any success dealing with the falll out or came up with a successful deterrent ( short of a flame thrower or 2-4 D ) feed back would be appreciated. I understand species would be regional .
Use straight bleach. Don't wear your Sperrys - the bleach will dry out the soles. If you don't wear gloves and some kind of shoes, the bleach will eat holes in your skin. Ask me how I know.
Starbright make a very effective, not toxic spider deterrent. It does work on the exterior but washes away with heavy rain. Starbright or WM non-skid cleaner works for me with a scrub brush or Magic Eraser, but it might not be as effective if it isn't used regularly before getting the black spots.
Dave B. aboard Pearl 1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399 Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle
I have no experience with these, but reviews are good on WM...
My problem is mud-dauber wasps--one filled up the nozzle of one of my fire extinguishers, and another built a nest on a cable in my electrical compartment. Every year they find some new spots.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Derek Crawford Chief Measurer C25-250 2008 Previous owner of "This Side UP" 1981 C-25 TR/FK #2262 Used to have an '89 C22 #9483, "Downsized" San Antonio, Texas
I use Ortho Home Defense for my boat. The spiders after a while really take over, and get big enough to work the winch when out on a sail. The Ortho Home Defense lasts about a month before I have to spray again. The spiders really like the bimini/dodger, and spend the day in the folds and nooks, then lower themselves after dusk. Makes a night time run to shore rather creepy.
The the spider stains, I use Tilex Mold & Mildew, or a cup of bleach in a bucket of water. the Tilex works better, I think, because it foams. In either case, I leave the deck wet with the bleach/tilex for a few minutes, then lightly scrub away and it generally does a very good job.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.