Short answer: a capsaicin-treated PVC harness tape — in Honda's catalogue part number 4019-2317, made by Teraoka as 347G — is the tape wrapped over engine and body wiring so rodents stop chewing the insulation underneath. Below: what it is made of, where the damage actually happens, how much a job takes, and how it compares with the sprays, split loom and electronic devices people try instead.
Quick answer: which tape stops the chewing
A capsaicin-treated PVC harness tape. The Honda part number is 4019-2317; the same tape is made by Teraoka under reference 347G. It is 19 mm wide, 20 m long and 0.2 mm thick, and it goes over the harness rather than in place of the loom. The adhesive carries capsicum extract, so the surface tastes wrong to a rodent; the PVC film is the physical layer between teeth and wire insulation. It is a repellent wrap, not a poison and not an electrical insulator.
What the tape is made of
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Honda OEM part number | 4019-2317 |
| Manufacturer reference | Teraoka 347G |
| Backing | PVC film, gray, printed rat pattern |
| Adhesive | Rubber-based, with capsicum-extract capsules |
| Total thickness | 0.2 mm |
| Width | 19 mm |
| Length | 20 m (about 65 ft) |
| Peel adhesion | 4.28 N/25 mm |
| Tensile strength | 95.4 N/25 mm |
| Elongation | 258% |
| Electrical rating | Not rated for electrical insulation |
How the deterrent works
The adhesive layer carries microcapsules of capsicum (chili pepper) extract — the compound that makes a chili hot, and a food additive rather than a poison. Two things happen: the PVC film is a physical layer between teeth and the wire insulation, and the capsicum makes the surface taste wrong so chewing stops. The tape repels; it does not kill or injure. Pest control is a separate job.
Where the damage actually happens
- The harness run from the engine bay into the cabin — over the cam cover, along the firewall, into the injector loom
- Runs passing through wheel wells, fender gaps and firewall grommets, where the harness is reachable from outside
- Fuel, brake and vacuum lines in areas with known rodent activity
- Stored vehicles, boats and seasonal equipment, where damage happens between seasons rather than on the road
How to wrap a harness
- Wipe dust, oil and moisture off the surface — adhesion fails on a dirty harness.
- Start at one end and wrap at about 50% overlap, pulling the tape slightly so it conforms to bends and connector tails.
- Double-layer the runs that face weather, road spray or a known entry point.
- Finish with a wrap back over the start end so the edge cannot be picked at.
How much tape one job takes
One roll is 20 m of tape. At 50% overlap that is roughly 10 m of finished harness run, less if you double-layer the exposed sections. Most engine-bay jobs take two to three rolls; a full harness from the bay to the cabin takes more.
| You buy | Tape length | Finished harness run at 50% overlap | Usually enough for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 roll | 20 m | about 10 m | one exposed run, or touching up a partial harness |
| 2 rolls | 40 m | about 20 m | the engine bay |
| 3 rolls | 60 m | about 30 m | engine bay plus accessible sensor and connector wiring |
| 5 rolls | 100 m | about 50 m | most of the accessible wiring on a large vehicle |
The conversion is arithmetic, not a manufacturer's quantity spec: 20 m of tape at 50% overlap covers 10 m of harness, and double-layering any run halves that again. Measure the run you intend to wrap before you buy.
Measuring a run: three steps
- Measure the run, not the vehicle. Take a tape measure along the harness you can actually reach - from the firewall grommet to the injector loom, say - and note the length in metres.
- Double it. Wrapping at 50% overlap uses twice the tape per metre of harness. A 6 m run takes about 12 m of tape.
- Add a quarter for the awkward bits. Branches, connector tails and double-layered sections eat extra. 12 m plus a quarter is 15 m, which is two 20 m rolls.
Rodent tape compared with the other options
| Method | What it is | Where it falls short |
|---|---|---|
| Rodent tape (capsicum harness tape) | A wrapped film barrier that also tastes wrong to rodents | Only covers the harness you wrap; it has to be re-wrapped if the harness is replaced |
| Peppermint oil spray | A topical spray applied to the harness or the bay | Washes and evaporates off, so protection depends on reapplication |
| Split loom / corrugated tube | A plastic sleeve around the harness | Open along its length, so a determined rodent can reach the gap; bulky in tight runs |
| Ultrasonic or electronic repellents | A device that emits sound or vibration in the bay | Not attached to the wiring, and it does nothing to the harness itself |
Which vehicles use part 4019-2317
4019-2317 is a Honda service part. The models and years that call for it are listed in the Honda 4019-2317 fitment cross-reference. The tape itself can be wrapped on any harness — the OEM number identifies what Honda specifies, not a limit on where the tape can be used. If you are choosing between insulating tapes for harness work, the electrical tape selection matrix compares tape type, temperature class and width side by side. The UL 510 vs UL 130 page lists which of our tapes carry which mark, with thickness and temperature class for each.
Buying it
The tape is sold in 2, 3 and 5 roll packs as Rodent Tape for Engine Wiring Harness, 19 mm × 20 m — Genuine Honda 4019-2317, part of the automotive protection range.
Questions
What tape protects car wiring from rodents?
Honda 4019-2317 rodent tape, also sold under the manufacturer reference Teraoka 347G: a 19 mm × 20 m PVC tape with a capsicum-treated rubber adhesive, wrapped over the harness so rodents stop chewing the insulation.
Is rodent tape the same as electrical tape?
No. Electrical tape is there to insulate a conductor. Rodent tape is used as a wrap over a harness, and it is not rated as electrical insulation.
Does rodent tape kill mice or rats?
No. The capsicum extract repels them; it does not kill or injure.
How many rolls do I need?
One roll covers about 20 m of harness at 50% overlap, so roughly 10 m of finished run. Most engine-bay jobs take two to three rolls.
Where exactly should it be wrapped?
Where the harness is reachable: the run from the engine bay into the cabin, firewall grommets, wheel-well and fender-gap runs, injector loom and connector tails, and any stored vehicle or boat harness.
Will it hold up in an engine bay?
The PVC backing and rubber adhesive are made for underhood conditions, but the repellent effect fades with prolonged sunlight and water exposure. Double-layer any run that sees weather.
Typical values measured to JIS or the manufacturer's test methods. Reference values, not guaranteed values. Confirm suitability for your application before use.