Affiliation:
1. University of Hartford
Abstract
Peppermint has been an area of interest for controlling aphid populations in the literature for decades, but it seems to be concerned with industrial applications more than everyday use. Aphid infestations indoors present a novel need for an organic pesticide that sufficiently culls infestations without risk to the household. Everyday access to peppermint substances were then obtained and used in various solutions to test their efficacy in a new environment. Dish soap has also been presented as a possibility, and is often reported to work by home gardeners. It was hypothesized that water would do nothing, Sevin would remove the aphid population entirely, and that dish soap and peppermint substances would be indistinguishable from Sevin. N=7 solutions were tested, being various solutions of water, dish soap, peppermint oil or paste extract, as well as the insecticide Sevin. Peppermint oil mixed with dish soap was effective in reducing the aphid population, as well as peppermint paste extract along with Sevin. However, Sevin and the paste did severe damage to the plants and are not recommended for household use.