How can I get rid of basil pests naturally

Cassie
by Cassie
Anyone able to tell me what is eating my basil and how to get rid of it (organic garden)?
Something is damaging my basil
  15 answers
  • Dpa7468593 Dpa7468593 on Jun 15, 2016
    I always use soap and water in a spray bottle. That always seems to work. Put a tablespoon of Dr. Bronners in a immaculately clean stay bottle, add some distilled water shake it up a spray the plant. Don't forget to get the underside of the leaves.
  • Cassie Cassie on Jun 15, 2016
    Would still love to know if anyone knows what it is....
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jun 15, 2016
    there is a combination of insects happening. Look underneath the leaves for tiny critters. Spray the leaves under and over and the surrounding soil with a horticultural oil mixed with water .Repeat this process ,as it may not work immediately.
  • Margaret Holohan Margaret Holohan on Jun 16, 2016
    Put some alcohol such as cider in a tray under the plants that are affected. The alcohol will attract the slugs to the tray and eventual they will drown.
  • Kim Kim on Jun 16, 2016
    Looks like maybe slugs??? put some used coffee grounds around the bottom of the plants and they won't go on there to climb up the plant...they don't like the feel o f the grounds...I've done this with all kinds of plants and have great success....ps...I drink a lot of coffee:):)
  • Kathy Kathy on Jun 16, 2016
    I'm thinking slugs also. They have been destroying my hostas and the old beer bait trick helped but not enough. I just bought some Diatomaceous Earth at Home Depot and I have not seen any new damage.
  • Rodrigo Sebidos Rodrigo Sebidos on Jun 17, 2016
    It looks like you have a leaf borer or leaf cutter insects attacking your plants. Since this is an organic garden you can't spray insecticide. Try baking soda, dissolved one teaspoon in a letter of water, spray it on the underside of the leaf using a hand sprayer preferably in the early morning or late afternoon. Test it first in 2-3 plants and see the results.
  • Bob Bob on Jun 20, 2016
    not sure maybe ants ,ants will not pass washing up liquid
  • Jac9966391 Jac9966391 on Oct 11, 2016
    You can get big bags of free coffee grounds from Starbucks and maybe from other coffee shops. The grounds serve as a good acid-based fertilizer, too. I have used diatomaceous earth, but if you have pets that go outside, read the label before you buy. The DE must be replaced after every rainfall, too, but it IS a good product. Happy gardening!
  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 09, 2023

    Garlic spray, banana peel, dish soap solution, etc., are different natural insecticides for basil infested with aphids. One can get rid of nasty aphids and yet prevent the plant from encountering the harsh chemicals in chemical pesticides.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 12, 2023

    If you are battling aphids use lady bugs. They love to eat aphrids.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 14, 2023

    Try soap bubbles all over leaves and under leaves.