On a lovely summer morning , you go to your garden to cull some mint foliage for a nerveless stack salad you ’ll before long be take in for lunch . But hold off ! There are some maw in mint candy leaves . That really is n’t a well way to take off the day , is it ? allow ’s chance out what ’s eating my mint leave .
With no natural Defense Department , lot is a vulnerable herbaceous plant that often falls prey to legion pests .
You might be wondering , “ Is n’t pile a herbaceous plant ? Are n’t herbs ordinarily pest - proof ? ” Well , herb are usually pest - proof , but passel is n’t one of them .
There are a lot of bugs and other pest that like mint and can make holes in its leaves . Pest infestation is the most coarse reason for yap to appear in plenty folio . These bugs eat wad leaves , leaving muddle and droop leaves behind . They are call aphids , caterpillars , flea beetles , mealybugs , and loppers .
So , if your passel is n’t growing as much as it should or appear like it needs more nutrient , it ’s probably because of a glitch . However , do n’t be concerned . In this article , we ’ll provide advice on dealing with cuss that delight eat mint plants .
Mint is one of the most democratic herb to grow in home garden With its pleasant fragrance and versatility in recipes , it ’s gentle to see why mint is a backyard staple However , mint leaves with kettle of fish , droop , yellowing or other damage is a common number that gardeners face . If you ’ve noticed your quite a little leaves await less than perfect , the probable culprit are pests .
In this article we ’ll talk over the most common pests that attack mint and what to do about them . With some weather eye and the right-hand constitutive pest ascendance method acting you could protect your pot crop and enjoy harvests of beautiful , unmutilated leaves all time of year long .
The Most Common Mint Pests
unluckily , mint does n’t have many instinctive defense against pests . That resistless minty odour that we sleep with act like a attraction , luring plant - eating insects and other critters . Some of the most frequent offenders include :
Aphids – These petite , balmy - bodied insect thrust leaves and stem to suck out plant fluid . An aphid infestation can cause mountain leaves to wave , yellow , wilt and become covered in gluey honeydew melon secretion that lead to sooty mold growth .
Spider Mites – Too small to be find by the naked centre , spider speck absorb juices from mint leaves , induce stippling , discoloration and drying of the foliage . Their webbing may also be visible on affected plant .
Flea Beetles – Small , jumping mallet that chew tiny holes in mint leaves , damage plants and cut down yield .
cutworm – embonpoint caterpillar pests that hide in soil by day , then come out at night to feast on mint stems and leafage .
Loopers – Smooth , immature Caterpillar that blend in with foliage . They down mint leaves overnight , leaving ragged holes .
Slugs & Snails – list together because their scathe is exchangeable – ragged holes in muckle leaves and stems . These pests are most active at night and in dampish condition .
While this list track some of the most unwashed mint pests , there are a few more less frequent offenders to watch for as well , like mealybugs , mountain beetles , earwigs , and grasshoppers .
Inspect Plants Frequently
The first phone line of vindication is watchfulness . Get in the habit of intimately checking your pile plant at least twice a week during the growing season . Look at both sides of leaves , as some pests like aphid and mites be given to assemble on the undersides out of unmediated sun .
Also scan plants in the morning and at Nox when some pest are most active . catch infestations ahead of time allows for spry ascendence before meaning damage is done .
Signs of pest like chewed leafage , sticky deposits , visible insects , and net will alert you to take action . It ’s much easier to deal a minor infestation than let pests manifold and spread unbridled .
Use Organic Pest Control Methods
With mint ’s culinary uses , it ’s best to avert chemic pesticides that could linger on the leaves . constitutive , non - toxic glide slope are good and often just as effective . Here are some of the top options :
Insecticidal Soap – Available as a fluid dressed ore , insecticidal soap disrupts cell membrane when spray on soft - bodied dirt ball like aphid , induce dehydration and death . It ’s safe for mankind and good insects .
Neem Oil – Derived from the neem tree , this oil smother and stamp out jejune insects and prevents larvae from maturing . Use neem oil colour as a foliar spray .
Diatomaceous Earth ( DE ) – diffuse this small-grained fossilized algae on the land around plants to shred and dehydrate crawling pests like slug , snail , and earwig . Completely non - toxic to mammals .
Pyrethrin – A plant life - based insecticide made from chrysanthemums . It ’s effective against a reach of pestilence if use before population explode .
Biological Controls – Beneficial predatory insects like ladybugs , lacewing fly , and preying mantises will feed on aphids , jot , and other mint pest . Also use parasitic nematode worm to kill soil - inhabit pests .
Row Covers – These fabric covers form a roadblock against flying and leaping insect while still allow air and water insight . Drape over mint plants , securing the edges with stones , board or landscape staples .
Water Spray – For light plague , a stiff stream of water can pink some pest off plants . sharpen on the undersides of leaf and recapitulate every few years for meek control .
Alcohol & Soap – Wiping leaves with a cotton fiber ball soaked in a mix of 2 parts rubbing alcohol , 1 part liquid grievous bodily harm , and 2 parts water can help control mites , aphids , thrip , and other small insect .
Sticky trap – These yellow identity card tempt in flea beetle , aphid , hoppers , and other pests , trapping them in the adhesive Earth’s surface so they ca n’t invade plant . Strategically stead around mint .
Prevent Infestations in the First Place
Along with monitor and treating pest outbreaks as needed , some basic drill will help keep mint pests at bay :
Plant mints in full sun to cut pestilence pressure .
outer space plants adequately – 12 - 18 inches aside – to allow air circulation .
Avoid overwatering that attracts soil - dwelling pests .
make clean up leaf litter and prune dead growth to excrete hiding spots .
Rotate stack planting to different berth each year to interrupt pest cycles/second .
expend quarrel back as a preventive roadblock against insects .
Interplant with aromatic herbs like thyme , sage , oregano , etc which may help gross out pests .
fecundate monthly to keep mint plants racy and better able-bodied to defy pesterer harm .
Be Persistent
Even if you follow all the right-hand growing practice , mint pests are likely to show up at some degree . Do n’t get discouraged ! former intervention and an integrated pestilence management advance merge several methods will get the problem under mastery . It may take doggedness over a couple weeks , but you could protect your hatful crop .
Growing pure hatful foliage takes some added awareness and effort compare to other more pest - hardy herbs . But the redundant work is rewarded with the pleasure of harvest abundant , beautiful mint for all your culinary introduction or just to enjoy its refreshing scent . Do n’t countenance the hemipteron get you down !
References
University of Vermont Extension . Mint Insect Pests.https://www.uvm.edu/extension/agriculture/mint/mint-insect-pests
Planet Natural . Mint Pest Control.https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/herb-pests/mint-pests/
The Old Farmer ’s Almanac . Mint Has Holes in Its Leaves . What Bug Is Eating It?https://www.almanac.com / pest / mint - holes - leaf
Gardening Know How . Mint Plant Pests – Controlling Pests On Mint Plants In The Garden.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/mint/pests-of-mint-plants.htm
The Spruce . Controlling Mint Pests.https://www.thespruce.com/controlling-mint-pests-2132646
Do rats eat mint plants?
On many unlike websites across the cyberspace , muckle is advance as an effective rat repellent . Rats are allegedly repulse off by their inviolable smell , which is sufficient enough to keep them off . Do not suppose that a pocket-sized amount of raft oil colour or a few mint plants will completely get rid of the rats , though .
What can I spray my mint with?
There is an well-off and effective means to get rid of bugs on your mint candy plant that you’re able to habituate liquid ecstasy sprayer . It works on many bugs , such as mealy bug , caterpillars , and aphids . Plant - based insect powder like pyrethrum or rosemary petroleum are another option . These can eliminate the mites without harming the plant or other animals .
How to STOP Insects EATING Plant Leaves (Tips & Tricks)
FAQ
How do I keep bugs from eating my good deal ?
What is chew on my mint leaves ?
What is the pesticide for tidy sum foliage ?
Is it safe to eat mass leave of absence with pickle ?
