If the velvety green leaves of a mint are covered in aphids, he alth-conscious hobby gardeners should not use chemicals. We have found out how you can successfully fight lice with home remedies.
How to fight aphids on mint naturally?
Aphids on mint can of course be combated with home remedies. Three effective methods are using a soft soap solution, a tobacco decoction or a nettle broth. Regularly spraying the plant with water can also help in the early stages of the infestation.
Immediate measure in the early infestation stage - water march
If you catch the pests in their early stages, a targeted shower can put an end to the plague. You should therefore regularly check the undersides of the leaves because this is where the lice cause trouble first. How to proceed:
- shower off infected mint with as strong a jet of water as possible
- turn a pot over and spray the plant upside down
- If the herb plant is too big, protect the root ball from the water with foil
You don't have to do anything about the lice that have fallen to the ground. These are not able to climb up the plant.
The best home remedies for lice at a glance
The advantage of home remedies lies not only in their environmentally friendly use. In addition, most of the ingredients are already in the pantry. You can read the three most promising recipes below:
Soap solution
- 1 tablespoon soft soap (15 ml)
- 1 tablespoon of spirit (15 ml)
- 1 liter of water
Put the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Apply to the infected mint every 2 days until the lice have disappeared.
Tobacco brew
- Several cigarettes without filter
- Water
The cigarettes are crumbled and boiled in water. The tobacco stock is ready when a brown broth has developed. Strain this and fill the mixture into a pressure sprayer. As a rule, a single application is enough to kill the aphids.
Nettle broth
- 1 cauldron with fresh nettle leaves (500 grams)
- 5 liters of water
- a few handfuls of charcoal ash
Pour the water over the nettle in the kettle. Let it steep for 24 hours. The next day, bring the mixture to the boil and simmer for 20-25 minutes. To combat the unpleasant smell, add charcoal ash. Once the broth has cooled, it is strained and sprayed onto the mint every 2 to 3 days.
Tips & Tricks
Nettle broth is not only an effective remedy against lice. The mixture is also ideal for organically fertilizing mint. If you decide to use this home remedy, you will kill two birds with one stone. Water directly onto the root area as fertilizer from May to August. If aphids appear, the plant is sprayed.
