Submitted on October 17, 2001 by Pamela Sinclair

Question: Hi - I sail in North Carolina on the Pamlico Sound. We are plagued by dirt daubers (mud wasps) building nests under the sail cover of our Ranger 33. Every weekend that we sail, we are showered by mud nests when we raise the mainsail! In addition, there is always the danger of being stung. I have kept the wasps out of the cockpit lazarette by hanging a moth cake inside. They don't like the smell.

I would like to know if I would damage my sail if I put some pockets in the sail cover to hold the moth cakes. Pamela Sinclair

Answer: Hi Pam, You are the first person today who has asked about the effects of moth cakes on sailcloth. I am sorry to admit that I have no idea what a moth cake is.

Polyester sail fabric is pretty rugged stuff so you are probably safe putting the mud cakes in pockets inside the cover. If you make the pockets so that the mud cake is not in direct contact with the sail cloth I am quite sure there won't be any damage to the sail.

Regards,
Dan Neri

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