Spider wars

[brackish]

Did an overnight on my 23 with the Admiral last night and while swimming around the boat I got some insight into why I have been losing the spider wars.  I periodically blast their webs and habitats with a pressure washer while cleaning the boat but it seems they rebuild in a flash.  So obviously my war has been effective against their structures but my smart bombs are not getting to the combatants. While swimming around the boat I noticed a gap on the underside of the rub rail where it does not come all the way to the fiberglass hull.  The gap is about 1/4" or slightly greater.  While in the water under the rub rail I noticed that there were spiders hiding in there that had avoided the pressure wash onslaught. 

I'm planning my haul out for major work, bottom job, cosmetic restripe, clean and wax, rudder bracket paint and rebush, all teak strip and recoat, and several other items.  Yes we southern lake sailors do that now when it is too hot and still to sail.  I'm wondering, after I've gotten the right angle on them and blasted them all to Arachnida heaven, if there is any reason I can't fill that gap with a good flexible sealant.  Although I have no fear of them, I'm not willing to coexist as they make a terrible mess on the boat.

So comments on my plan or any other methods you have used to get rid of them.

[BruceW]

A guy I know (yes, I do know a guy...) said he sprays something on his rubrail and it keeps the spiders away. I'll see him this week and ask him about it.

[rbh1515]

Don't think I would fill in that area.  They will always find somewhere to hide.  I have used Ortho Home Defense with success.
Rob

[jdklaser]

Starbrite makes a product called Spider Away.  Non toxic.  Seems to do the trick

[BruceW]

Don't think I would fill in that area.  They will always find somewhere to hide.  I have used Ortho Home Defense with success.
Rob

This is the product I had heard about. He sprays the side of the boat, lifelines, stanchions, etc, and says it helps. His issue is the crap produced by the spiders.  I guess he renews it from time to time.

[wes]

I'd be wary about caulking the rub rail gap, because it allows water on the deck to easily flow through. Spider Wars have been pretty bad here in NC for a couple of years. There must be an ample supply of food - meaning without the spiders we'd be fighting Mosquito Wars.

Wes