What’s Eating My Mint Leaves? How to Identify and Stop These 6 Common Pests

Growing mint is a great way to have fresh mint on hand for cooking, teas, and other uses. However, mint is susceptible to several pests that can damage the leaves. If you notice holes, spots, webbing, or other signs of damage on your mint leaves, you likely have an infestation that needs to be addressed.

In this article, we’ll identify the 6 most common pests that eat mint leaves and explain how to get rid of them organically so you can enjoy pest-free mint again.

1. Flea Beetles

Flea beetles are tiny black or bronze jumping insects that feed on mint leaves, leaving behind small, round holes across the leaf surface that resemble buckshot. Their larvae feed on roots and can kill young mint plants.

Signs of flea beetles: Small holes across mint leaves. Plants may wilt if larvae damage roots.

How to get rid of flea beetles

• Apply diatomaceous earth around the base of plants to kill adults and larvae.

• Use floating row covers to exclude the beetles.

• Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap – focus underneath leaves.

• Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs that eat flea beetles.

• Cultivate soil around plants to disrupt larvae.

2. Spider Mites

Spider mites are tiny pests that suck nutrients from mint leaves, causing light speckling or yellow spots on the leaves. They produce fine webbing on infested plants.

Signs of spider mites: Stippling damage, yellow spots, webbing on leaves. Leaves may curl or drop.

How to get rid of spider mites:

• Blast plants with water to dislodge mites.

• Apply neem oil thoroughly, especially under the leaves.

• Introduce predatory mites that feast on spider mites.

• Hang up yellow sticky traps to capture adult mites.

• Practice good sanitation by removing and destroying damaged leaves.

3. Aphids

Green, black, or pink aphids cluster on mint stems and undersides of leaves, sucking out plant fluids. This causes leaf curl, yellowing, sticky honeydew, and stunted plant growth.

Signs of aphids: Curled, yellowed leaves. Honeydew drippings. Clusters of small insects on plants.

How to get rid of aphids:

• Spray leaves and stems with a strong blast of water to knock off aphids.

• Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays every 3-7 days.

• Release ladybugs and other beneficial insects that feed on aphids.

• Wipe aphids off leaves with a damp cloth to control light infestations.

• Apply diatomaceous earth around plants as a desiccant against soft-bodied insects.

4. Caterpillars

The larvae of moths and butterflies, caterpillars chew large, irregular holes in mint leaves. They feed at night and hide during the day.

Signs of caterpillars: Large portions of leaves chewed away, leaving ragged holes. Frass droppings may be present.

How to get rid of caterpillars:

• Handpick caterpillars from plants.

• Apply Bacillus thuringiensis to kill larvae.

• Attract parasitic wasps that lay eggs inside caterpillars.

• Use row covers as a physical barrier against moths laying eggs.

• Encourage predators like birds that eat caterpillars.

5. Mint Beetles

Mint beetles are a type of leaf beetle that feed exclusively on mint plants. The larvae and adults skeletonize leaves, leaving only veins behind. They can quickly defoliate mint.

Signs of mint beetles: Skeletonized leaves with lacy, vein-like remnants. Presence of yellow beetles on plants.

How to get rid of mint beetles:

• Apply neem oil to deter and kill mint beetles. Reapply after rain.

• Handpick adult beetles and drop them in soapy water.

• Use row covers to form a physical barrier against the beetles.

• Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings.

• Destroy heavily infested mint plants to prevent spread.

6. Slugs and Snails

Slugs and snails riddle mint leaves with irregular holes overnight. Look for their slimy trails as evidence of their leaf-munching activities.

Signs of slugs/snails: Large ragged holes in leaves. Slime trails on plants and nearby surfaces. Presence of slugs/snails on plants after dark.

How to get rid of slugs and snails:

• Handpick slugs and snails after dark and drop them in soapy water.

• Set out beer traps – slugs are attracted to the yeast.

• Sprinkled diatomaceous earth around plants as a desiccant against soft-bodied pests.

• Use copper tape or copper barriers to repel slugs and snails.

• Clean up leaf litter where slugs like to hide.

By identifying what pest is eating your mint leaves and taking steps to eliminate them, you can restore your mint to health. Always opt for organic control methods first before considering pesticides. With persistence and patience, you can outsmart these mint munchers and keep your herb garden thriving.