If you have a garden full of pests – your first thought is finding the best pest control technique. There are many ways to control pests. But which is the best among the many available? Everything from mint to garlic, and even soap, will loom at them from your garden!
Mint Pest Control eliminates pests using environmentally friendly and pet-friendly solutions, leaving your whole family safe. Read on to learn if mint is good for pest control.
Types of Mints
Many types of mints can help you control pests in your garden. Here’s a breakdown of the two most common:
Pennyroyal Mint
Insect pests like ticks and fleas can be deterred with its help. It’s safe to apply directly to your pet’s skin or fur. It will reduce their itching and protect their skin/fur from being harmed by pests.
Spearmint and Peppermint
Due to their effectiveness against pests, these plants are perfect for a home garden. The menthol in these mints can be used to repel mosquito larvae, spiders, fly mites, rodents, and other pests.
How Do You Use Mint as Pest Repellent?
Mint is a great natural, non-toxic way to repel pests. It’s also safe for pets and humans, so you can use it around the house without worrying about harming anyone or anything. Here are ways to use mint as a repellent:
Grow Mints
Having potted mint plants in the house and yard deters pests. Your doors and windows are perfect spots to install them. It may also keep the rats out.
Planting containers of mint in your garden is another option. Your yard and plants will be safe from pests. To grow mint in your garden, you must be mindful of where you put the pots. Remember that they can quickly spread from seed and take over your lawn.
Chew Mint Leaves
Your skin will emit an odor as your body metabolizes the mint, which will deter insects like mosquitoes and ants.
Use Mint Spray
To make a mint spray with dried leaves, you need to:
- Put half a cup of water to a boil with a teaspoon of dried mint leaves.
- Adding more herbs, such as witch hazel and lavender, boost the repellent effect.
- Wait for it to cool, then drain out the mint.
- Pour the liquid mint into a spray bottle.
- Pour in roughly a quarter of a cup of liquor.
- Give it a shake, then use it.
If you use fresh mint leaves then:
- Boil citrus peels and peppermint together and let the mixture sit for a full day.
- You can wait till the next day to drain and strain it.
- Put it in a spray bottle.
- Combine the same amounts of rubbing alcohol.
- Shake well and use.
Use Mint Sachets
You may also make sachets containing dried mint leaves and hang them around your home/rooms. They can be placed in drawers, closets, and car cup holders. Mint sachets can also be hung in the house to repel flies and mosquitoes.
Crush Mint Leaves
Crushing mint leaves and rubbing them on your clothes or pet’s fur is another way to repel mosquitoes.
Use Dried Mint Leaves When Storing Grains
They are an excellent natural insect repellent and help keep bugs away from your food. It can be especially helpful when storing grains, as they attract pests such as mice and rats.
How to Care for Mint Herbs
Mint is a versatile herb used in everything from pest control to desserts to drinks to salads. It’s also easy to care for to have fresh mint growing in your garden all year long.
Mint is a perennial herb. Here are tips for caring for your mint plants:
- Plant healthy seeds.
- Plant them in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Water regularly, but don’t overwater.
- Mulch the base of each plant with straw or leaves to help retain moisture and keep down weeds.
- Mint leaves have the finest flavor when fresh from the plant and picked on a sunny day before it’s too hot.
If you’re struggling with budworms or aphids on your tomatoes and don’t want to resort to synthetic pesticides, planting a mint plant in the vicinity of the problem plants is wholly effective. Growing mint near your carrots will foil carrot flies, and growing it near your raspberry bushes will keep leaf-eating moths at bay, etc. Plus, mint is pretty to look at, and it’s enjoyable to smell while sipping tea on a warm summer day!