Hello!

My mint plant usually goes really well, we went away and I understand as it didn’t have water it has gone a bit brown, but I also now have hundreds of little insects everywhere over it. Does anyone know what I should do to get rid of them? I really want to expand my herb garden (maybe to vegetables too) but have to prove to myself I can fix this issue first.


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  • I made a soap spray from water and organic dish wash liquid with a little neem oil.


  • Get some eco-oil from Bunnings – this kills the eggs of whatever is eating your mint and is harmless for when you finally have got good growth and are ready to eat it again.


  • Mint requires to be kept damp under a tap is ideal as it gets water more often.it is also a hardy plant so can take a good pruning.Insuggest that you remove as much exposed foliage as you can and sprinkle the remaining new shoots and surrounding earth with Diatomaceous Earthowder. You can gain information about D E from a search engine and can order online. It has many uses and is great for plants and will kill all insects but does no harm to anything else. Care needs to be taken so as not to inhale or get powder in eyes. If you are planning expanding your garden D E will be very useful. It is all I use in my garden. \\\”Happy gardening\\\”


  • I struggle to get mint to grow at all so any tips would be useful. Does it need a lot of water?


  • I have the same problem & I’m going to go with the teatree oil in water spray bottle as it works for head lice deterant.


  • Thanks for asking this question; I will use some of the natural ideas on my plants; do not like harsh chemicals.


  • I have the same problem. They are on my tomatoes too! :-/


  • Interesting question; we are having similar problems with the garden; For some reason; lots of little pests! Could it be the hot weather? Good answers and will use some of them too!


  • Have they gone brown or gone to seed? Plants that have been weakened are more likely to be attackws by pests. Have you tried squirting them using a hose at fairly high pressure. Try the organic suggestions above. If you have to use a strong product – even organic – you may still have to keep pets away from it and not touch it yourself for a few days. Follow instructions on the packaging.


  • Sounds like spidermites which are quite common with mint plants that have been left dry. Soak the whole plant with water daily for a week and see if this gets your problem under control. If not a garlic spray can be made with just garlic and water.


  • Don’t use fly spray if you plan to eat your mint. I’ve also got little white flying bugs on my basil plants. Have covered them loosely with a white net, from Bunnings and this has greatly reduced them. Good luck with your mint.


  • Hi, I have had success from soapy water with garlic and pepper added. This may help, also just google pests on mint plants as there is lots of advice.
    1/
    Mix some natural insecticide soap. This mixture is especially useful for soft-bodied insects, such as aphids, caterpillars and parsley worms. The soap is absorbed by the pest and then causes dehydration and death.
    Mix 1 to 2 tbs. (15 to 30 ml) of plant-based soap with 1 qt. (0.95 l) of water in a spray bottle. Many people use Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castille Soap, a product made with olive oil. Shake the mixture up and spray it regularly at any sign of bugs.
    2/
    Increase the effectiveness of the soap against all pests by mixing in some strong smelling vegetable water. Insects and other pests are deterred by strong smelling plants, herbs and spices.
    Find a mixture of plants like garlic, rhubarb, mint, onions, cayenne, ginger and horseradish. Cut them up into large pieces and place them in a pot or saucepan. Cover them with water and boil. Turn off the heat and allow the “tea” to sit overnight. Strain the liquid away and pour it into your natural insecticide bottle.
    Create a caffeine mixture, if you are having a problem with aphids. Mix 1 cup (240 ml) of yarrow, lavender and/or catnip with 2 tbs. (10 g) of used coffee grounds and 2 cups (473 ml) of water. Allow the mixture to sit overnight. Strain the liquid and pour into a spray bottle.
    3/
    Keep your all-natural insecticide and strong-smelling water on hand for 1 to 2 weeks. It will lose its potency after that, and you will need to mix up a fresh batch.

    Good Luck.


  • would depend on the type of bug, but you can use two general homemade sprays. First one is just cold soapy water in a spray bottle and spray it once a day until they go or you could try a garlic and chill spray, there are different ways to make it, some people boil the garlic fist or you can leave it to soak overnight then add the chill and water. just be careful with the chill! :-)


  • i would like to know as well. i have some type of insects i our little garden and they seem to have white egg things


  • with nothing else on hand a bit of fly spray will sort it out otherwise 20mls tea tree oil to 500mls water and spray that


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