I agree with aphids. Red spidermites are too small to be seen with the naked eye (well, for most folk.) With that many present there would also be webbing on the tips of the shoots.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
They don’t look red, I think they are greenfly. Just cut the old stuff right back to the pot, the new shoots are already coming up, there will be loads of it later in the year as the plant get stronger, it will be more resistant to pests.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
Thank you all so much ...... I have cut almost all of it and will mist it regularly for the upcoming week or so .... I can't imagine finding that in my tea 😱 like ever ....and I most certainly won't be drinking mint tea for a while after imagining that pic in my mind 😂 I'm still new to this so all of your inputs are much appreciated ... One tiny question thougg how do I make sure they don't come back?? Do I have to use a pesticide or something ..I don't really want to
Aphids are very common. There is a theory that they attack ill plants more than healthy ones, so it's recommended to keep your plants happy. I get lots of aphids on my very happy roses, so I'm not sure I buy the theory.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
It may be aphids and the rust that Fire mentioned. Cut back, spray with water, and squish the ones you find with your finger.
I can't imagine finding that in my tea 😱 like ever ....and I most certainly won't be drinking mint tea for a while after imagining that pic in my mind 😂
I'm still new to this so all of your inputs are much appreciated ... One tiny question thougg how do I make sure they don't come back??
Do I have to use a pesticide or something ..I don't really want to