Cut mint to ground level

Cut it down to ground level with a string trimmer, hedge trimmer or hand clippers. Cutting alone will not eliminate mint as it will regrow from its roots but this is an important first step.

Pull mint out from the roots

Small and young mint plants can be pulled out from the roots. This is easiest when the soil is soft and wet.

Dig out the roots

Use a pickaxe or shovel to dig out the roots. Mature mint roots can grown as deep as 3 feet downward.

Be careful of spreading cuttings

Do not leave even small cuttings of mint on the ground. The cuttings will take root and sprout a new plant. It is very important to take the plant to a disposal facility or bag it in a plastic bag so further spreading does not occur.

Mowing

An alternative to pulling or digging out the roots is to mow the area regularly. If the area is flat enough to mow this is an effective method. Mint grows very quickly so the area will need to be mowed weekly in order for it to be effective.

Herbicide

Be sure to read and follow all the instructions on your herbicide label. It is best to have a licensed professional apply herbicide. Natural methods such as vinegar will not kill mint. The only effective mint killer is a herbicide. Herbicide can be applied to the foliage 1-2 months before cutting.

Covering

Cut the mint to ground level. Cover the area in an opaque tarp or sheet of plastic. It is very important no light can pass through the covering. This will prevent the mint from photosynthesizing and the plants and root system will eventually die after one year or more of being covered.

What is mint?

Mint is an ornamental and edible plant that has invasive properties. Mint forms dense thickets that rapidly expand in size. Mint patches grow an extensive root system that spreads rapidly and creates new plants that spread outward.

Why is mint invasive?

• Mint spreads and forms large patches that can take over an entire garden
• Plants produce an extensive root system that spreads and sprouts new plants constantly
• Mint has extremely vigorous and resilient growth that re-grows after cutting
• Can spread into fields and agricultural land

Why is it crucial to remove mint?

• A single mint plant can spread forming large patches that cover several acres of land
• Mint infestations will get worse over time
• Mint can take over your garden beds
• Rodents nest in mint patches
• Mint can harm natural waterways
• Mint crowds out native species
• Mint roots can destroy septic fields
• Mint can spread to neighbouring property

Permanently removing mint

We remove all the above ground stems and mint material with gas powered cutters, the cut material is cleaned up and hauled away. We then dig out the root material.

The use of a herbicide is often a necessary measure to completely eliminate mint. With this method, the foliage will be treated with herbicide. The root system will die over the following 1-2 months. The dead mint will be cut to ground level and hauled away. Our herbicide will not kill other plants and has no soil activity or run off.

Ascent Yard Care has permanently removed hundreds of mint infestations since our business was founded in 2017. We carry a license from the province of BC for landscape herbicide application.

Mint removal cost

Contact us for a free in-person quote in Victoria, BC and Jake will provide an exact work order and quote.

Won’t the mint just grow back?

In the worst infestations up to 2 follow up visits may be necessary to completely eradicate re-growth. Most mint patches we service are completely and permanently removed in one visit.

Expert Help:

We care intensely about the success of each project. Contact us for a free in-person quote in Victoria, BC.