What's eating my mojito mint?

Mojito mint (Mentha x villosa) has lush soft foliage that is especially attractive to mint aphids and slugs. The mint flea beetle and mint moth caterpillar are also common. Because it is typically grown for culinary use, opt for organic controls such as insecticidal soap, neem oil, and Bt rather than synthetic pesticides. Harvest regularly to deter build-up.

Large pale-green colonies densely packed on shoot tips and leaf undersides; leaves pucker and curl; sticky honeydew coating attracts ants Knock off with a sharp water jet; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; cut back infested stems; plant attractant flowers to draw in parasitic wasps

Ragged holes and shredded young leaves overnight, especially on lush new growth and after rain; slime trails visible Apply iron phosphate slug pellets; use beer traps; water in the morning rather than evening to keep soil surfaces drier at night

Shot holes across leaves; adults are tiny metallic bronze-black beetles that jump when disturbed Row covers help in spring; apply pyrethrin spray on heavy infestations; clear plant debris in autumn to reduce overwintering adults

Leaves rolled and tied with silk; larvae feed within; shoots look wilted or tattered Hand-remove rolled leaves; spray Bacillus thuringiensis at first appearance; cut back to clean growth after heavy attack