You like herbs, but you can’t figure out why the basil leaves have holes in them. It might not just be snails and slugs. Other bugs like the tasty stuff too.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Basil leaves with holes in them are not poisonous, but many kinds of pests may damage your plant if they eat them for a long time.
Basil, a member of the mint family, tastes both sweet and savory with pleasant notes of mint. Used in a number of cuisines, this tender herb is loved by pests as well. It isn’t uncommon to go out and harvest some basil only to find the basil leaves have holes. Keep reading to find out what pests eat basil and how to control them.
Basil is a popular herb used in many culinary dishes. Its sweet, aromatic flavor pairs well with tomatoes, pasta, and pesto. However, basil leaves are delicate and prone to damage. You may occasionally find holes or bites taken out of your basil leaves. This leaves many home gardeners wondering: can you eat basil leaves with holes in them?
What Causes Holes in Basil Leaves?
There are a few common culprits that can cause holes in basil leaves:
-
Insects – Small holes or notches around the edges of leaves are usually caused by insects feeding on the leaves. Common basil pests include aphids Japanese beetles, caterpillars leafhoppers, and thrips. They eat small amounts of the leaf, leaving behind telltale damage.
-
Slugs and snails – These leave behind larger, ragged holes eaten in the middle of leaves. Their slime trails are also a giveaway that slugs and snails have been munching your basil.
-
Animals – Larger bite marks come from critters like birds, squirrels, rabbits, deer, and rodents. They may take whole leaves or large chunks out of them.
-
Disease – Fungal or bacterial diseases can cause spots, yellowing, wilting, or holes in basil leaves. Common diseases include downy mildew, fusarium wilt, gray mold, and bacterial leaf spot.
Is It Safe to Eat Basil with Holes?
Whether or not basil with holes is safe depends on the cause. Here are some guidelines:
-
Insect damage – Basil leaves with small holes or notches from insects are safe to eat. Simply wash the leaves well and remove any badly damaged sections. The insects do not carry diseases dangerous to humans.
-
Slugs/snails – Basil damaged by these pests can also be eaten if you wash it thoroughly and trim off any slimy parts. Check for and remove any slugs or snails still on the leaves.
-
Animal bites – Avoid eating basil leaves that wild animals have bitten or damaged. Animals can transmit dangerous bacteria like E. coli through their saliva. Discard any leaves with animal damage.
-
Disease – Do not eat basil with fungal or bacterial diseases. The pathogens that cause spotting and wilting can also make you sick if consumed. Remove and destroy any diseased plants.
When in doubt, be cautious and do not eat basil that looks badly damaged or rotten. If you’re unsure of the cause, it’s better to be safe and not eat it. Monitor your plants closely to identify the source of damage.
How to Prevent Holes in Basil Leaves
Preventing damage to your basil crop starts with good cultivation practices:
-
Pick off any insects you see on the leaves to keep pest populations low.
-
Put down slug and snail bait around plants to control these nighttime nibblers.
-
Use row covers or netting to protect plants from larger pests like rabbits and deer.
-
Space and prune basil properly to allow for good air circulation through the foliage.
-
Water at soil level and avoid getting the leaves wet to prevent disease.
-
Scout daily for signs of insects or disease and address any issues promptly.
-
Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays at the first sign of infestation.
-
Remove and destroy any diseased plants immediately to prevent spreading.
-
Pick basil leaves frequently, as younger ones are less likely to be damaged.
Pests are drawn to stressed plants, so keeping your basil healthy will make it less vulnerable. Check for holes daily and take action quickly to protect your crop if anything is feeding on the leaves.
What to Do With Holed Basil Leaves
If you need to remove basil leaves that have been damaged, here are some options besides tossing them in the compost bin:
-
Use holed leaves when cooking dishes like pasta sauce or soup where appearance doesn’t matter. The cooking process will kill any germs.
-
Chop up damaged leaves and add them to recipes like basil pesto or chimichurri where the leaves get blended.
-
Infuse holed basil into olive oil or vinegar to impart flavor. Strain out the leaves afterwards.
-
Dry the basil leaves to use as seasoning. Dried basil maintains its aroma and taste.
-
Add torn up leaves to potpourri or as greenery in flower arrangements.
Don’t let a few pesky holes in your basil leaves go to waste. Get creative and find ways to use this fresh, flavorful herb even if it isn’t photo-ready. With proper cultivation and prompt pest management, you’ll be rewarded with an abundant harvest of beautiful, unblemished basil.
Aphids and Soft Bodied Insects
Aphids come in almost every color and can be found on stems, beneath leaves, or on top of them. Heavy infestations result in yellow/distorted necrosis on leaves along with honeydew, the sticky, sugary substance aphids secrete. Honeydew adds to the problem by promoting sooty mold.
An insecticidal soap can help to control aphids and other soft bodied pests. Spray early in the evening, making sure to cover both the top and bottom of the leaves.
Azadirachtin, which comes from neem, can help get rid of aphids, beetles, thrips, spider mites, and whiteflies, among other pests.
What Is Eating My Basil Plant?
There are holes in your basil leaves. You need to know who did it before you can do anything about it. The most common nibblers are snails and slugs, Japanese beetles, earwigs, aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Now that you know who is desecrating your basil, you need to know how to stop them.
Mollusks move slowly but are quick to make short work out of your basil leaves. Normally a good thing, mulch provides hiding places for these pests during the day. But the slugs will probably still come after the basil if you take off the mulch. You can also cover the mulch with diatomaceous earth.
Because diatomaceous earth is so sharp, it pierces the skin of soft-bodied slugs and kills them by drying them out. There is a chance that water or rain will soak into the soil, so reapply after watering or rain. In lieu of diatomaceous earth, spread crushed eggshells or wood ashes around the plants.
Also, garden waste gives these bugs a place to hide and lay their eggs, so keep the garden clean and weed around the basil plants.
Slugs and snails can also be hand picked at night. For the squeamish, traps can be made or bought to capture them. For non-organic growers, look for some of the newer, safer slug baits that have iron phosphate in them. There are also baits that have metaldehyde (Buggeta) and carbaryl (Sevin).
How to Remove Bugs From Basil Leaves : Garden Space
FAQ
When should you not eat basil leaves?
Is it okay to eat greens with bug holes?
Can you eat basil that has gone to seed?
How to tell if basil is safe to eat?
Why do basil leaves have holes?
Having holes in basil leaves is a really common problem while growing. It can be due to many reasons. And these reasons are important to know if you’re thinking of having basil leaves with holes. Otherwise, you might end up with a stomach ache or even worse. Insects are the most common reason behind your herbs’ damage.
Can one eat basil by itself or with something?
It makes no difference to consume it alone or with some other food, as other foods do not interfere with its absorption.
Can fungus cause holes in Basil?
Pests are the problem most of the time, but there is one fungus that can cause holes in basil foliage. Let’s chat about that, first. 1.
Can you eat a diseased basil plant?
It’s a big no if you’re thinking of eating basil leaves that are suffering from fungal disease. Instead, you have to quickly separate that plant from the others. Then cut and discard the affected parts immediately. This way the disease won’t spread. How to Treat Diseased Basil Plant? The best way to solve this fungal infestation is a fungicide.
Can you eat basil without hesitating?
As the slime is not that problematic, you can eat your basil without hesitating. Just wash the leaves thoroughly with tap water. Cut off the parts with holes and it’s ready to eat. How to Get Rid Of Snails? Now, you might think of getting rid of this snail problem. To do that, pluck the damaged basil and remove other wastes.
Can you eat black spots on basil leaves?
In this case, brown holes along with black spots will be visible in basil leaves. It’s a big no if you’re thinking of eating basil leaves that are suffering from fungal disease. Instead, you have to quickly separate that plant from the others. Then cut and discard the affected parts immediately.