Peppermint oil damage?

[Fred Cook]

I recently had damage to my generator fuel line return hose on top of the 100 gallon fuel tank caused by rodents chewing through it.  I had it repaired and now want to prevent it from happening again.  I have been using peppermint oil in the engine compartment with great success.... but I have been spraying cotton balls and placing them in the compartment.  The fuel tank is a whole different scenario.  There is only about 2 or 3 inch gap from the top of the tank to the bottom of the house flooring and it extends about 3 feet back, all of which allows very limited access to place cotton on top of the tank.  So, I have spayed 100% peppermint oil (Mentha Avensis) on top of the tank using a pump sprayer with a wand to reach over the top.  This of course allows a liberal spraying on top.  I have already looked on the internet and have found nothing on the concern I now have.... can this peppermint oil cause any damage to the tank hoses and wiring or even the metal???

[Mike Shumack]

I don't know if Peppermint oil deters rodents or not - but Honda has a "rodent deterrent tape" that uses a super-spicy capsaicin, which Honda describes as “the stuff that puts the fire in a bowl of five-alarm chili.” The tape (part number 4019-2317). I think if Honda offers this product, they must have tested it and thinks it works. https://www.alldiscountparts.com/oem-parts/honda-tape-rodent-19mm-20m-40192317?origin=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI043Rzsz36QIVCb7ACh1h-Q4-EAQYASABEgLtbPD_BwE  BTW - it can also be found on amazon.

So there may be some places where you would want to wrap some tape around exposed wires - and spray liquid (capsaicin or peppermint) on the other surfaces.

[Fred Cook]

 Thanks For the tip Mike. Yep, peppermint oil works really well. There is no way of accessing the wires and hoses by hand above the tank, unless you drop the tank to do it. That is why I sprayed up there with a wand.