Mint Against Snails & Slugs? | Field Test

Can mint keep snails and slugs away from endangered plants?

I am always skeptical at first about new methods to keep slugs away.

Hence, I also put mint to the test—see videos below.

Theory: Mint against snails & slugs

The slug control discourse gave rise to the idea of using the dried mint leaves from the previous year as mulch against slugs.

Reports state that potato plants mulched with mint were largely spared by the slugs.

For me, this was an occasion to carry out this practical test.

Dried Mint Leaves

Click the image to see the offer on Amazon.

Practical test: Does mint help against slugs?

Since I had some old mint tea leftovers, I formed a small wall out of it and placed freshly collected slugs and snails in the middle.

The result is shown in the following time-lapse video.

Video: Mint against snails Test

I was surprised how well mint worked.

The leopard slugs turned around immediately, and most of the other snails were also successfully deterred.

However, in the end, two still crawled over it…

Conclusion

You can clearly see how the slugs are repelled—not 100%, but a large proportion.

It is still questionable whether mint remains effective in wet conditions.

I suspect not because it seems to be the touch that has deterred the snails and not the smell.

If you have had any experience with mint against snails, I would be happy to hear about it!

It would also be interesting to know if there are certain types of mint to which the snails react better or worse.

In the test it was a mix of two varieties, but unfortunately, I can’t remember exactly which ones.

It is still questionable whether mint can also be planted as a protective strip: With plants against slugs?

And are freshly picked leaves also effective, or only the dried ones?

Future tests could provide information about this.

Mint in the garden

Since mint was successful in the test, I recommend growing mint yourself in the garden.

Then you always have enough mint leaves for tea and to ward off snails.

But of course, you can also buy already dried leaves.

However, these are sold as tea and are therefore relatively expensive.

Dried Mint Leaves

Click the image to see the offer on Amazon.

Since you can also use them well in the kitchen, as a cold extract and for teas, it is advisable to grow different mint varieties in your garden.

But be careful: mints are invasive and can spread quickly.

An advantage of mint is that it is a slug-resistant plant/herb.

Therefore, you can plant and harvest them without worry.

Pollinating insects, such as bees and bumblebees, also love herbs like mint!

Herb garden seeds | With Mint Seeds

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Alternatives

In addition, it is possible to cultivate slug-resistant vegetables and herbs.

There is also a long list of flowers that slugs dislike eating.

Slug-resistant flowers	Slug-resistant plants

Long-term slug control focuses on attracting natural enemies of slugs and snails.

Here, you will find an overview of measures to control slugs and snails.

Attracting natural enemies	Snail and slug control overview

Peaceful Slug Control & Plant Protection

Snail & Slug Repellent Copper Tape | Adhesive	Garden Plant Cloche | Multipack
View on Amazon	View on Amazon
or on eBay	or on eBay

Sheep Wool Pellets	Slug Collars | Multipack
View on Amazon	View on Amazon
or on eBay	or on eBay

Alternative WaysYou just read about “Mint Against Snails & Slugs”. Not every method suits every garden, so here are gentle alternatives and an overview of what works.

Overview of methods

Slug control at a glance23+ measures and methodsNatural slug controlEffective, organic, non-violent

Attract More Beneficial Wildlife to Your Garden

Turn your garden into an ark for biodiversity. Swipe or scroll sideways →

Support and settle beneficial insectsGround beetles & Co.The slug hunter among the slugsLeopard slugWelcome hedgehogs to your gardenHedgehogsAmphibians in the gardenToads & newtsFeathered alliesBirds

Promote Biodiversity & Strengthen Natural Balance

Hedgehog house | Igloo | No installation

See offer on Amazon

Nesting box | Cedar wood | Wren house

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Slug-resistant plants

Flowers and perennialsOverview of slug-resistant plantsVegetables and herbsWhat slugs tend to leave alone

Recommendations | Natural Protection

Copper tape | 5 cm wide | 10 m

See offer on Amazon

Garden cloches | Victorian bell | 3 pack

See offer on Amazon

Effective Barriers in Focus

Build it or buy itElectric slug fenceProtect flower and vegetable bedsSlug fenceProtect vulnerable plantsSlug collarsFlexible to useSlug deterrent paintGood in greenhousesSheep’s wool as barrier and fertiliserAlso for pots and bedsWater barrier against slugs

More Recommendations | Gentle Slug Protection

Plant cloches | 30 pack | Reusable

See offer on Amazon

Electric snail fence set | Raised beds

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• Author
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Alexander Boeckmann

My goal is to garden in harmony with nature. This includes treating pests as gently as possible, encouraging beneficial creatures, and protecting biodiversity in every part of the garden – a small but meaningful step toward stopping species loss and creating a peaceful, balanced garden.

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