How to Get Rid of Bugs in Basil
Basil is a plant that can be grown easily in your indoor window box or outside in your herb garden.
"Basil has few pests, but occasionally generalist pests such as aphids, flea beetles and Japanese beetles will feast upon it," according to the National Garden Association.
While it is relatively easy to get rid of bugs in basil, you will need to keep a vigilant watch over it, as re-infestations can occur at any time during the growing season.
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Instructions
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Spread a sheet under your infected plants early in the morning. Tap or gently shake plants until beetles and other small pests fall off onto the sheet. Pick off any remaining bugs that are visible and throw them onto the sheet. Fill your bucket with soapy water and shake pests from the sheet into the water to kill them.
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Combine 1 tablespoon of liquid soap, two parts rubbing alcohol and five parts water in your spray bottle. Spray every inch of your basil plants with this mixture, making sure to coat the underside of leaves and new shoot crevices, where aphids and flea beetles like to hide. Repeat this process every few days during growing season.
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Stake row cover hoops into the ground, with one end of each hoop on either side of your basil plants. Cover the hoops with your row covers, so the fabric or plastic drapes onto the ground on either side of your plants.
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Tips & Warnings
Till your soil thoroughly after each growing season to unearth bugs and their eggs. This will make it so you will have less of a pest problem next season.
You may not need row covers if the first two steps successfully get rid of the bugs in your basil. Hold off on purchasing row covers until you are sure they are necessary, or you may waste your money.
References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
