Anyone have experience with Honda Rodent Tape?

[AZjeff]

Asking for a neighbor. A month or so ago he got a new Colorado ZR2 and within 3 weeks a rodent chewed wires under the hood and disabled the truck. Not under warranty of course, he has the parts on order to fix it. He's got peppermint spray and pads under the hood now but is looking for something that isn't an ongoing procedure. He has a 2 car garage with a Corvette and an older SUV and the Colorado and a Sonic RS live on the driveway. Funny thing is he had a RAM truck and the Sonic sitting out since he moved there a couple of years ago with no problems. Down the block is a 1 year old Canyon Denali that sits out and in the other direction is another high trim Colorado that sits out. I know the guy with the Canyon and he hasn't had any problems. The rodent bit other wires but didn't chew them up. He was told by someone the wiring has soy based insulation. Is that a thing with GM now?

I remembered reading about the Honda Rodent Tape here and wondered if anyone has actually used it with success? Feel bad for the guy.

 

[Nukeman7]

I have used the expensive Honda rodent tape with semi-OK results, but it is not a practical long term solution. The capsaicin infused tape is a deterrent after the rodents start to chew it, but they will often just move to another section of the wiring harness(es)/plastic part that isn't wrapped.

I have repaired squirrel chewed damage on six vehicles over the past several years, but they will usually return to the same underhood/undercarriage nesting location once they have found a source they are comfortable with. I have used mint/cinnamon oil spray, capsaicin powder and numerous chemical/electronic strobe deterrent devices with limited success. The only real solution is to minimize or eliminate the rodent population. Once the specific rodent(s) have been removed, they no longer lead other rodents in their community to that location. I was live trapping and humanely relocating the squirrels to a park 8 miles away until a bleeding heart neighbor complained to a game warden who issued me a warning for illegal trapping! The irony is that I had repaired that specific neighbor's car from rodent damage the previous year and the conservation officer said I could legally use lethal traps since they were nuisance rodents causing property damage like mice and rats! The wife won't allow that, so I'm stuck with using chemical deterrents.

p.s., Many automotive manufacturers have been using soy-based insulation on wiring since the 1990's when they started receiving EPA incentive credits for implementing environmentally friendly manufacturing practices like low-VOC water based paints. Previous discussion on BITOG here.

 

[wings&wheels]

Try the tape, but obviously it can only be applied where you can reach and work.

Due to some construction, I stored cars in a garage that typically has a minor rodent presence. I tried Tomcat Rodent Repellent spray and it seemed to be effective. I tried to plug and then used a heavy application where I thought they may be getting in as well as a ring around and under the vehicles. There are inaccessible areas where they could also be entering. No evidence of mice this Spring. Worth a try (with traps, etc.), as the only downside is the smell, which isn't horrible.

 

[Pablo]

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/search/5300617/?t=post&q=rodents&o=relevance

Do these things:

Post in thread 'Wiring harness question'

Thursday at 9:11 AM

What sprays and hanging tabs?

I make my own spray now, but here goes. The tabs are just plainass nasty smelling

MAINLY THOUGH YOU NEED TO CATCH AND ELIMINATE THE HIGH NUMBERS...

• Pablo

 

[AZjeff]

More info, I saw neighbor out while walking the dogs this morning and the dirty rat just chewed that last bit where the wires go into connectors and aren't protected by the factory wrap. He's going to re-pin the connectors where there's enough slack and get new wiring where there isn't and run loom and tape right up to the connectors. His lot is backed by open area so eliminating the population is probably a losing battle. The odd thing is the Sonic and RAM weren't bothered for years. He's looking for a fix and forget solution, there might not be one.