Killing Mint Through Manual Removal

• Manual removal must provide the basis for any endeavor to successfully kill mint. It is best when removing mint manually to never simply pull it up by the roots, since the runners will break apart and sprout into a multitude of tiny new mint plants. Instead, it is best to measure out 4 inches on all sides of the mint plants and dig around them to a depth of 5 inches. Once you have outlined the mint and dug to the appropriate depth, work the blade of a flat shovel underneath the clump and lift it from the ground. Discard the mint plants into a green-waste bin, or divide them and grow them in pots.
  
  

Killing Mint With Solar Eradication

• Solar eradication is an appropriate choice for killing mint in areas where chemical methods are undesirable, such as near a kitchen garden or close to where children and animals play. It involves spreading a sheet of clear, heavyweight greenhouse plastic over the spot where you manually removed the mint. Secure the edges of the plastic to the ground with bricks or tent stakes. The sunlight trapped against the soil creates intense heat, which will effectively kill most remaining mint runners. However, this method only works in unshaded beds during the hot summer months where temperatures rise very high for a long period of time.
  
  

Killing Mint With Household Chemicals

• If the mint is not completely dead after manually removing it and utilizing solar eradication, the next best step is to create a homemade herbicide from household chemicals. White vinegar raises the acidity of the soil to such a degree that mint cannot survive. Combining one part white vinegar with three parts water creates a strong but nontoxic solution that will effectively kill mint when applied liberally to the growing site. Only a small amount is needed, so it is best to apply the vinegar using a spray bottle to create a thin, even layer across the former growing site of the mint. Do not water the site for one week after applying the vinegar solution, and be sure to reapply it if it rains immediately after the first treatment.
  
  

Killing Mint With Herbicidal Chemicals

• Herbicidal chemicals containing glyphosate will effectively kill mint if manual and nontoxic chemical methods fail. The herbicidal properties of glyphosate are such that you can skip the manual removal phase and simply spray the mint with the solution, which will penetrate the soil and destroy the roots. Although this might sound ideal, the chemicals are not selective and will negatively affect the surrounding vegetation, which is a problem if you grow ornamentals or food crops near to your mint patch. Despite the potential negatives of glyphosate herbicides, they are highly effective at killing mint and are a good choice for areas of mint that are too large to conveniently dig up.