ARRRGH! Why are bugs attracted to boats?

[IDBoating]

Put the boat in the lake yesterday for the season. Nice and clean. Within minutes, every white surface - hull and upholstery alike - was covered in flying bugs.

This morning, after a windy but clear night, I went down to check on things and it's STILL covered in bugs. The boat is parked right next to a nice, large, friendly dock where the bugs could sit comfortably. But no, they insist on being on the boat. I looked, and I couldn't find a single bug on the dock. They're all on the boat!

This was true of our last boat too. And true for our neighbors and their boats. Our red and yellow jetskis aren't similarly affected. It's something about white.

Anybody know why?

[Ewok]

Like a moth to a flame. Have you had any spiders yet? They like to leave crazy stains on the white gelcoat that is almost impossible to get off.

[IDBoating]

Thankfully, the spiders seem to stay on the dock. A spider on our boat is very rare.

[Ewok]

If you have any outdoor lights aimed at your boat you should install either yellow bug light bulbs or direct them away from your boat. You can also install a big white square on the other side of the dock and shine a light on it so the bugs leave your boat alone.

[Dandy]

Some bugs, specifically Asian Bettles are attracted to white. This has to do with there natural environment - asian bettles originate from an area with large white cliffs, so I was told my my work neighbor. My neighbor at work runs an extermination business and has noted that white houses, the taller even more so, are more affected by bugs than other colors. Just a random fact that I picked up through conversation with him...don't even get him started on bed bugs...YUCK!

[JohnZ3]

Same reason we are. Boats are awesome.

[IDBoating]

If you have any outdoor lights aimed at your boat you should install either yellow bug light bulbs or direct them away from your boat.

Boat sleeps in the dark.

I remember a trick used by a farmer to collect protein for his chickens. He set up a bare bulb next to a fan, and the fan blew into a pair of pantyhose. When bugs came near the light they were sucked through the fan and caught in the pantyhose. They went into the chicken feed the next day.