Mint is among the most well-liked herbs you may plant in your home because of its distinctive flavor and scent. Why are there tiny green bugs on mint plant? Mint can draw unwanted attention from a number of destructive pests in addition to drawing hordes of gardeners. Mint is a delicate plant that, alas, has little chance of surviving if not controlled. But don’t be concerned; I’m here to assist.
Mint lacks any natural defenses, making it a weak herb that is easily attacked by a variety of common pests like mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites. Infestations might permanently harm your plant if they are not controlled. Even so, regular inspections, early diagnosis, and proper care can safeguard the mint plant throughout the season and even beyond.
I’m going to demonstrate for you today how simple it is to protect your priceless mint. I’ll walk you through each step you ought to take to ensure that your mint reaches its full potential, from identifying the causes to determining the best solutions.
Why Are There Tiny Green Bugs On Mint Plant?
Every pest prefers particular environmental factors for growth. It’s preferable to identify what’s luring them and, more significantly, make the changes necessary to keep them away if a certain infestation is bothering you or keeps returning.
1. Humidity
A green bug’s ability to grow can be significantly impacted by humidity. High humidity can produce the perfect conditions for pests to lay their eggs, including some species of caterpillars, such as loopers and hairy caterpillars, which cause the most damage while still in the larval stage.
Low humidity, on the other hand, is typically what harms your mint plants with pests the most. Mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, and other pests prefer dry environments to call home. By giving your mint plant more regular waterings or by spraying it, you can increase humidity and assist solve this issue.
2. Wet Condition
Insects despise being dehydrated, which is why the majority of insecticides use it to kill pests quickly. Because of this, thirsty insects will be more attracted to your plant if it is overly damp or the soil is too soggy.
A wet environment is also a haven for fungi and illnesses, which weakens your plant. Additionally, any pest can easily feast on a weak plant. It’s possible that you’re overwatering your plants and causing their leaves to droop, even if they appear to be moist.
3. Lack of ventilation
The soil and mint plant will dry out in due time thanks to appropriate ventilation, which is essential for plant growth. Poor ventilation, on the other hand, will result in a damp plant and soil, which pests will exploit to their fullest extent. Any insect’s larval stage, like loopers and hairy caterpillars, thrives under damp circumstances.
How Can I Get Rid of Green Bugs From My Mint Plant?
Without a doubt, you are raising mint with the intention of using it to flavor and aroma food. You might prefer to employ natural pest management over harsh pesticides for these reasons alone. I have a few ideas for you to think about, all of which are efficient means of minimizing and getting rid of insects from your mint plant.
1. Oil spray
Oil sprays are a highly efficient natural pest control method that frequently also include fungicidal characteristics, giving your mint plant a significant defense boost. Plant development and beneficial pollinators remain unaffected and are not harmed when oil sprays suffocate insects with a soft body.
2. Soap spray
One of the simplest and most efficient insect treatments for mint plants is soap spray! It will take care of everything, including caterpillars, mealybugs, aphids and more. There is only one thing to keep in mind while using soap spray: it only kills insects when they come into touch with it.
3. Neem oil
Neem oil, a kind of vegetable oil obtained from the neem tree, is particularly effective against juvenile, larval-state insects. In my opinion, one of the best things about neem oil is that it is extremely efficient against a wide range of typical pests that attack mint.
4. Garlic spray
Many mint pests, like beetles and spider mites, are naturally repelled by the garlic’s strong aroma. Garlic spray can be used as a prophylactic approach since it will fend off insects before they can settle down on your mint plant and lay their eggs.
How Can Green Bugs Damage Mint Plants?
Infestations of aphids frequently grow quickly. The insects move quickly from one plant to another due to their remarkable mobility. Ants, which eat aphid honeydew, a sugary liquid generated by aphids while they feed on sap, frequently maintain aphid colonies in outdoor gardens. In the home, aphids can fly or crawl across plants to spread the disease.
Aphids harm plants by consuming sap from new development. They frequently collect in groups at the plant’s growing tip and cling to the tender, green stems. With the aphids clearly evident around the stem, the young leaves may appear crinkled or stunted. Eventually, the plant will start to lose its leaves as a result of the infection. Lastly, like mealy bugs, aphids make honeydew that can help black mold and fungus grow.
How Can I Physically Remove Green Bugs From Mint Plants?
Inspection of mint plants and manual pest removal are occasionally the best procedures.
Caterpillars and loopers are noticeable and large enough to be manually removed. Remove them by picking them off. Or, if you’ve chickens, use the chubby pests to make a protein-rich treat for your chickens—they’ll adore you for it.
A blast of water or careful pruning can be used to remove aphid-infested mint to prevent an invasion.
How Can I Grow a Mint Plant in a Pot?
With its underground runners, mint has the potential to quickly take over locations you don’t intend to have it colonize.
This herb thrives in containers, so by planting it in a pot that is at least 12 to 16 inches wide, you can prevent it from overrunning your landscaping. After sinking a lightweight plastic container into the earth to a height of just over the soil’s surface, you can still plant it in your garden. Under this manner, the pot won’t be seen but the herb within will still be kept in check.
Mint can also be grown year-round outdoors in a sizable half-barrel or other sizable container. Keep ceramic pots indoors throughout the winter, though, as they are prone to cracking during the numerous freeze-thaw cycles that occur during the chilly months.
Mint can also be grown inside in a pot. The herb should be placed in a pot with holes in the bottom and placed where it may receive enough light, either from a grow light or from the sun. Just be careful to keep your mit plant away from things like heaters and radiators that could dry it out.
Best Neem Oil to Protect Mint Plant
1. Verdana Organic Cold Pressed Neem Oil
My favorite choice for effective pest control is this Verdana cold-pressed, pure neem oil. It is offered in four practical sizes to accommodate everyone, from apartment dwellers who love houseplants to greenhouse gardeners looking for an efficient, all-natural insecticide.
Expect a deeply perfumed dark brown liquid with a garlicky smell that resembles toasted sesame oil with nothing added or taken away. Because of its USDA Organic certification, it has been recognized by Amazon’s Climate Friendly Pledge. The USDA Organic Integrity Database does not currently include this producer, despite the fact that it has updated its processes and certifications. Be sure to give it a good shake before adding water and a light soap (like castile soap).
Pros:
- Certified Organic by the USDA
- Non-toxic to both people and pets
- Quality sealed—shipping isn’t messy like with other neem oil brands
Cons:
- The Neem oil must be combined with water and soap before being applied to plants, but the extra work is completely worthwhile!
2. Neem Bliss Pure Organic Neem Oil
Neem Bliss’ pure, premium neem oil is ideal if you want to avoid using concentrated neem treatments but yet require a large amount of this natural pesticide for your plants. Any neem oil that appears in this guide is just as effective at killing spider mites, aphids, mealy bugs, fungal infections, and gnats when mixed with an insecticide soap.
Most bulk customers should be able to find a quantity that works for them among a variety of sizes that go up to a full gallon. Neem oil solidifies at lower temperatures because of its high fatty acid content. Since storing this in the refrigerator to lengthen its shelf life may complicate things, gardeners who expect to use it within six months should avoid buying it.
Pros:
- Organic farming is OMRI Certified.
- High-quality sealing for worry-free shipment
- This is a huge amount of neem oil! Sufficient to treat your interior plants, greenhouse, yard, and neighbors’
Cons:
- Due to processing, this product has a stronger scent and is a little thicker than other neem oils; anticipate a viscosity similar to coconut oil with a decidedly unsatisfying scent.
Conclusion
A single mint seed can grow into a swath of mint that covers a large area over time. I enjoy using mint as a border for flower beds. It has a wonderful scent and can help keep animals away.
In the event that you don’t have any physical barriers in place to discourage mint from spreading, you may want to grow mint in pots and containers. As a result, keeping an eye out for pests and taking measures to keep your mint healthy and happy is considerably simpler.