“Hewwo? Acme Pest Contwol? I have a pest I need contwolled.” So said Elmer Fudd when he was trying to get rid of a “scwewy wabbit.” The pest control company sent him a helpful robot who came with a set of pictures, identifying various pests. When the desired picture was inserted in the robot, the mechanical critter went after the target. Rather like “Terminator,” come to think of it. Most of us, however, don’t have helpful robots who can identify varmints, “scwewy” or otherwise. We have to make do with poisons and other undesirable methods of keeping pests away. Or do we? Are there safer alternatives for pest control? Some gardeners say, “yes” and the answer is an easy one: mint.
Mint is used to flavor candy, gum, medicine, cookies and liquor. It has a variety of medicinal uses, as well. Some gardeners say that planting mint around a home will help control an array of pests. Mint grows easily and is inexpensive.
Peppermint, say the gardeners, helps keep away mice, ants, lice, flies and moths. Pennyroyal prevents fleas, ants, lice, mosquitoes, ticks and moths. Spearmint also keeps such critters away.
Mint of any kind grows well around a home’s foundation, and will not cause any harm to any of the house’s fixtures. Spearmint and peppermint are non-toxic, and if the family pet nibbles on a leaf, no fear. They will not be harmed by it. An extra advantage of keeping spearmint or peppermint around is that they make excellent mint tea, which is a sovereign specific for upset tummies. The leaves can also be crushed for flavoring in iced tea.
Mint, to put it mildly, grows very well in most yards. In fact, if it is not controlled, it will take over. Most gardeners recommend planting mint in plastic containers with bottoms, sunk into the ground. This will keep it from spreading all over the yard, as it is wont to do. As well as being excellent for planting around foundations, it works well along fence rows, with the same caveat of planting the herbs in containers. Is it an exaggeration to say that mint will take over an entire yard, if left to grow uncontrolled? No. It grows almost as easily as kudzu, although it is easier to get rid of. Therefore, it must be stressed that mint should be controlled, unless the homeowner wants a yard full of it.
Mint plants are attractive and can be worked in with a home’s landscape design. They will also perfume a yard with a sweet smell in the summer, and in milder climates, will grow all during the winter, although not quite so rapidly. They are hardy perennials and a homeowner will not have to replant them around a foundation year after year. Dried mint leaves can also be crushed and placed in tea bags and placed in closets and other dark places to discourage any pests that might brave the live plants and come into the house anyway.
Pennyroyal is not edible, but can be used successfully around foundations, especially for flea control. Leaves can be rubbed on the skin as a natural insect repellent. Some flea collar manufacturers use pennyroyal oil on their collars to repel fleas. However, it grows as vigorously as the edible mint does, and should be carefully controlled, as well.
Mint plants come in a variety of flavors besides peppermint and spearmint. There are orange, banana, apple and even chocolate-flavored varieties. A homeowner can plant a variety of the plants around the home’s foundation and will realize a number of benefits. There will be a reduction in the pest population, the mint will grow rapidly and reliably, and most of it is even good to eat! Sure beats poison, any day.
