Pest identification
What's eating my peppermint?
Mint Aphids (Ovatus crataegarius)
Signs: Dense clusters on soft shoot tips; distorted, curled leaves; sooty mold on honeydew deposits
Control: Dislodge with a firm water jet; insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators; pinch out and discard infested tips
Spider Mites
Signs: Stippled, bronzed upper leaf surface; fine webbing under leaves; plants look bleached in summer
Control: Maintain moisture; mist foliage; neem oil or soap spray; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen which favors mites
Cutworms
Signs: Stems severed at soil level, particularly on newly planted or seedling-stage plants
Control: Stem collars; Bt soil drench; hand-pick larvae from soil surface at night
Keep peppermint pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Peppermint pests — FAQ
What is eating my peppermint?
Peppermint suffers from mint aphids and spider mites as its main pest threats. Loopers and cutworms damage stems. Rabbits and deer browse it outdoors. While peppermint oil deters many insects, the plant itself is not immune — spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions and can quickly disfigure a planting.
How do I get rid of mint aphids (ovatus crataegarius) on peppermint?
Dense clusters on soft shoot tips; distorted, curled leaves; sooty mold on honeydew deposits Dislodge with a firm water jet; insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators; pinch out and discard infested tips
How do I get rid of spider mites on peppermint?
Stippled, bronzed upper leaf surface; fine webbing under leaves; plants look bleached in summer Maintain moisture; mist foliage; neem oil or soap spray; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen which favors mites
How do I get rid of cutworms on peppermint?
Stems severed at soil level, particularly on newly planted or seedling-stage plants Stem collars; Bt soil drench; hand-pick larvae from soil surface at night