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Mints (Mentha) belong to the mint family (Lamiaceae). Sometimes they are visited by cicadas sucking on the leaves. You can find out whether the mint leaves are still edible in the following article.
In a nutshell
- white to yellow punctate spots and speckles indicating leafhoppers
- Mint still edible when cicadas infested
- Fight the pests only with natural home remedies
Look
Cicadas are sucking flying insects that can appear white, green, or multicolored. The species of cicada that haunts mint and other herbs is usually less than 2mm in size. At rest, their wings are set up like a roof on their backs. The hind legs are trained as jumping organs, so they can jump quickly from one leaf to the next.
damage picture
- bright punctiform mottles and spots on the leaves
- whitish larval shells on the underside of the leaves
- sometimes curled leaves at the shoot tips
- as the infestation progresses, brown leaves
Tip: You can shake the plants a little to be absolutely sure that they really are cicadas. Then the tiny animals jump or fly away quickly. If necessary, use a magnifying glass to spot them.
causes
The causes of a cicada infestation can be very diverse:
- monoculture
- climate change
- too little potassium
- irregular watering
- fertilized with nitrogen
- too warm location
Edible mint
The mint leaves can still be eaten despite the pest infestation, even if they no longer look as nice and are usually a bit drier. However, you should protect the plants from dying off completely.
combat
It is not absolutely necessary that you fight the cicadas. But if the animals bother you or if they get the upper hand, you can drive them away with natural home remedies.
neem oil
Neem oil is a purely ecological agent and suppresses the reproduction of harmful insects. It is obtained from the seeds of the Indian neem tree. You can get it in health food stores and health food stores.
- 1 teaspoon of neem oil in 1 liter of water
- mix together well
- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle
- always shake well before use
- Spray affected plants several times a day
Tip: You can use Rimulgan (from castor oil) as an emulsifier to help the water mix with the oil better.
frequently asked Questions
Can you wash cicadas off the mint with water?Yes, that is also possible. It is best to use the water from the garden hose and spray the mint plant with it. So that the water jet does not damage the fine mint leaves, it should not be too strong. You should repeat the process as many times a day as possible.
Do mint leaves still taste just as aromatic when cicadas are infested?Unfortunately not, because the harmful insects suck the plant sap from the leaves. Some of the mint flavor is lost in the process. That means the leaves taste like mint, just not as strong.
How can I prevent an infestation?You can prevent an infestation with cicadas by introducing natural predators of the sucking insects into your garden, such as predatory mites, parasitic wasps, lacewings, earth wasps, spiders and birds. Insect hotels, nesting boxes, piles of dead wood, flower meadows and native trees and shrubs will help you.
Is a field horsetail cold water extract useful for prevention?Yes, a field horsetail cold water extract can help preventively. Horsetail is high in silicon dioxide, which the mint plant uses to strengthen its cell walls. This makes it more difficult for the pests to bite the leaves. To prepare the cold water extract, 200 g horsetail in 2 liters of water is sufficient. Leave everything for 24 hours and then strain it. Then fill into a spray bottle and spray the mint plant with it regularly. In addition, add the cold water extract to the irrigation water.