Quit Eating My Signs!
Pepper-Based Coating Discourages Animals from Damaging Structures

The only test application with ambiguous results was at the Mount St. Helens maintenance shop. Chipmunks had chewed through the seals at the bottom of four overhead doors to get into the maintenance shop, damaging the seals almost every day. The damage was so severe that the seals were replaced every year or two (figure 6). Clear habanero coating was applied to the seals at the bottom of two of the overhead doors in October 2003. After 8 months, only one hole had appeared in any of the door seals. It was an exit hole in one of the treated seals (figure 7). Ten months after treatment, another small exit hole appeared, this time in an untreated door seal. No further holes had appeared 16 months after treatment.

Figure 6—Chipmunks severely damaged overhead
door seals, which were replaced every year or two
at the maintenance shop in the Mount St. Helens
National Volcanic Monument.

Figure 7—This hole was the only damage to the door seal
8 months after the habanero coating was applied.

It is difficult to draw any conclusions from this test. Why did the chipmunks make so few new holes? Why were the two new holes both exit holes when all previous damage had begun with entrance holes? Was the coating applied less thoroughly to the inside of the door seals? Did the cool, damp weather on the day of application affect the coating or the adhesion of the coating to the seals? Controlled research tests would be needed to provide answers.

Rodents did no damage to the wiring and plastic cases of surveillance equipment that was protected by the coating, once law enforcement officers learned how best to apply the coating. An early formulation of the coating didn't adhere well to the plastic cases and wiring insulation. Because the equipment needed to be camouflaged anyway, wires and boxes were wrapped with cloth camouflage tape before the coating was applied during final testing. This procedure seemed to work extremely well. Rodents did no damage to wires or boxes protected in this manner.

Applying the Product

In all tests, the elastomeric (flexible) sealant coating and the lanolin-based product were applied with a regular paintbrush. Care was taken to completely coat the surface, leaving no gaps in the coverage. The elastomeric coating had a slight orange color when applied, but the coating became clear after several weeks (figure 8). Surfaces treated with the elastomeric coating have a slight sheen, similar to the sheen of a semigloss paint finish. The lanolin product also seems to have a slight orange tint when applied, but the tint fades away within a few weeks. Unfinished wood surfaces that have been treated with the lanolin product have the appearance of oiled wood, but the surface is dry to the touch.

Figure 8—Habanero coating was painted on the overhead door seals at the
maintenance shop in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
The freshly applied coating had an orange tint, but the coating became clear
after several weeks.

Although the Materials Safety Data Sheets for both the elastomeric and lanolin-based products show that the products contain no hazardous chemicals or poisons, the active ingredient (food-quality oleoresin capsicum) is an irritant. Care should be taken when applying and using the product.

Apply this product only in a very well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. Use gloves, clothing, and eye and face protection. Make sure that an eye bath and safety shower are available. The product should be stored in a tightly closed container away from direct heat and oxidizing agents. Those who applied the coating reported no irritation when they painted it on, but some said their eyes watered when the brushes were cleaned. The brushes had a very strong pepper odor when they were being cleaned.

Conclusions

Based on the results of these brief, informal field tests, habanero coating could protect Forest Service buildings, signs, wiring, and fencing from damage by porcupines, horses, rodents, and possibly woodpeckers. Testing by other agencies, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and the manufacturer suggests the coating also may be effective protection against termites, zebra mussels, saltwater organisms that attach to surfaces, rodents, snails, birds, and other small and large animals. More information is available at the Web site of the company that holds the patent, Ecocote International (http://www.ecocote.com), and at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, where the habanero bonding process was initially developed and patented (http://www.nmt.edu/news/all-news/101-2000/2338-formosang and http://www.nmt.edu/news/all-news/100-2001/2382-1feb01g).

Obtaining the Product

Ecocote International produces ECS-1, an elastomeric sealant coating for surfaces that have been painted or coated with opaque stain and the lanolin-based ECT Wood Protection Plus penetrating sealer for natural wood and other porous surfaces. The commercial price is about $60 per gallon.

Orders can be submitted to Ecocote International (information@ecocote.com). Include the term "Sealant" on the subject line. Orders can also be placed by telephone at 281–895–7999.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Kevin Bishop, Sadie Campbell, Renee Catherin, Duane Chatham, Dave Fallis, Steve Greene, Robert O'Neill, and Doug Ryan for their participation in applying and evaluating the habanero coating products.

---

About the Author

Kathleen Snodgrass came to MTDC as a project leader in 2001 from the Nez Perce National Forest, where she had been the facilities architect for about 7 years. Before becoming facilities architect, she had worked in facilities, landscape architecture, land line, and general engineering for the Nez Perce National Forest. Kathleen also spent about 10 years working in highway design and construction with the Idaho Division of Highways after graduating from Washington State University in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in architectural studies.

For additional information about coatings that discourage animals from damaging structures, contact Kathleen Snodgrass at MTDC.

Phone: 406–329–3922
Fax: 406–329–3719
E-mail: ksnodgrass@fs.fed.us

---

Top

Back

Cover Page

Visitor since March 31, 2005