Basil Bugs Be Gone!

[Bex717]

Hi everyone! I am a newbie gardener from Arizona and would appreciate any help with identifying what is eating my basil leaves and how I can help my plant out.

I found and relocated a green caterpillar but the damage continues each day. I am afraid I will soon have nothing left! I also have seen the below pictured bugs on the underside of a few leaves. Two bugs always together as pictured (mating?!). I hand remove these when seen. I have tried spraying a natural garden soap formula on top and underside of leaves but it has not seemed to help. Thank you in advance for sharing any knowledge with me.

Appreciatively,
Becky

[Asica]

For caterpillar use Bt, it is a bacteria that you dilute with water and spray.

[AnnaIkona]

Maybe they are slugs. Slugs are common pests for basil, unfortunately. I am "fighting" them right now

What you can do to check if they are slugs indeed is to go out when it's dark at night (maybe 11?) and check with a flashlight on and under the leaves. Slugs like coming out at night time.

You can also take some beer and pour it into a small jar and dig the jar into the soil near the basil. Over night, you should find a couple slugs floating in the water.

Although a can of beer seams so priceless ( ) it is worth it when it comes to slugs and basil.

Give it a try and tell us how it goes!

[Lindsaylew82]

I think slugs, too. If you give the plants a really nice sprinkle and wait a few minutes, or if you go out I. The early morning dew, you can find them. Don't have to wait up all night. Slugs work REALLY fast to destroy.

No wasting good beer!!! It attracts slugs as well, so you end up attracting even more to the party! Do then you have to keep feeding their incessant alcoholism! You could plant a few marigolds. They'll go for the marigolds over the basil, and they're self renewing. And they're easy to pick off!

[AnnaIkona]

Good point, Lindsay! If you are looking for a repellent and not a trap, try sprinkling crushed garlic around the basil. I've found that that helps a lot as well.

[Bex717]

Thank you all for your advice! I will try some of those tips out and report back. Fingers crossed!

[Lindsaylew82]

DE helps as well. Sluggo, too.

[Bex717]

Update: tried putting some beer out to see if slugs were the culprit… didn't "catch" anything. Did find another caterpillar on the basil and one munching away on the leaves of my jalapeño plant. Got some bt (thanks @Asica) and sprayed on Sunday… so far no more catepillars or damage!