Picaridin or deet are methods to cover that odor

Buddy, I already know you haven't fucked with peppermint oil...

It repels virtually every pest because of how strong that mint smell is, that's the entire reason the mint smell evolved. Humans are the weird ones for liking it, and the reason we're the exception is our sense of smell is terrible.

For almost every other animal/insect it's like pepperspray, it's so strong it actually hurts insects and rodents.

I'm not saying those chemicals don't work, I'm saying given the choice between some crazy chemical and crushed up benign plant leaves...

Just use the leaves bro.

Not only is it cheaper, it won't give you cancer or fuck up future children you may have.

It's a no brainer risk assessment call