Basil is not only extremely popular with humans, but is also part of the prey spectrum of numerous pests. Here you can find out which pests are particularly prominent here and how they can be combated with natural means.

Not only people like basil

If something gnaws at the basil - so take action against it

The tender leaves of basil are a favorite food of the ubiquitous snails. The insatiable pests eat the valuable herbal plant bare down to the skeleton within a short time. How to fight the pests:

  • collect the frozen snails in the early morning hours
  • set up a snail fence and position beer traps within the area
  • Lay out moving barriers around the basil plants, such as chippings (€46.95) or sawdust
  • Scatter the coffee grounds and ground coffee, as caffeine is toxic to slugs
  • Equip the pot and balcony box with an electric snail fence

If you have just planted young plants in the bed, a snail collar will give you the best protection. If lavender, hard-working Lizzie or gypsophila join them, they will scare off the approaching armada of snails with their scent.

Effectively combat sucking and biting pests

If the previously juicy green basil leaves are covered with speckles and holes, sucking and stinging pests are up to mischief here. Mostly it is an infestation by aphids, bugs or flies. The use of classic home remedies is mainly based on liquid solutions, which is not very beneficial for sensitive royal herb. Experienced hobby gardeners therefore proceed as follows against the brood:

  • Cut out all infected plant parts
  • burn the clippings or dispose of them with household waste
  • Rinse a strong plant upside down and leave it airy to dry quickly
  • dust an infested royal herb repeatedly with rock dust
  • optionally apply pure charcoal ash with the powder sprayer
  • Work nebulae into the substrate
  • Set up adhesive boards against flying aphids and whiteflies

Controlling aphids and ants always goes hand in hand. Both insect species enter into a symbiotic relationship, with one basil falling by the wayside. Aphids excrete honeydew, which ants can't get enough of. If the crawling creatures sense danger for the lice, they quickly transport the honeydew source to the next plant in the garden. Scattered soda on the walkways puts an end to the spook.

tips

The targeted use of beneficial insects is becoming increasingly popular in biological pest control. Special suppliers breed the larvae of predatory mites or ladybirds and send them to you in special containers. Applied to the infested basil plants, the pests are history within a few days.

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