David Feldman sent us this question: “My basil has been doing great all spring, but now that summer is here, the leaves have a lot of holes in them and some are half gone.” What can I do about that?”.
Without a photo, David, it can be hard to tell what’s eating your basil. But let’s look at the possibilities.
Armyworms (shown above) and other caterpillars nibble on basil leaves. They leave behind their dropping but can be hard to find at first. Check the undersides of leaves every few days, and the centers of each stem. They tend to go for the tender new growth first.
Grasshoppers can be a big problem in some gardens. The babies are the same color as leaves, making it hard to find them. They chomp on leaves, making holes in random locations across the leaf. Brush your basil leaves to get rid of any grasshoppers that are on them, and you might want to cover your plants with bird netting to keep grasshoppers away.
Larger critters, such as rats, can also find basil appetizing. To say it again, bird netting (with stakes or hoops to keep it above the plants) will keep these guys from eating your basil.
Other bugs—some people have carpenter ants that eat plant leaves and take the plants home for a picnic. Check your garden early in the morning or late at night (headlamps are helpful for this) to see if these bugs are the ones causing the damage.
Most of the time, hand inspection of the tops and undersides of leaves will reveal the dastardly interloper. Hand picking often solves the problem. We don’t generally recommend insect sprays (even organic) for leafy things you plan to eat. So get up close with your basil and check for insects, then pull them off and squish them.
As we already said, bird netting or a summer weight floating row cover (also known as garden fabric) are great ways to keep flying and jumping bugs off of your basil. Garden fabric prevents moths and butterflies from laying eggs on plants as well. Animals have been known to get stuck inside and have a great time! Take off the covers every so often to check.
Organic insect spray is the last resort if none of the other methods work to keep the population under control. You can use broad spectrum insect sprays to get rid of caterpillars and sucking insects, but keep in mind that they don’t tell the difference between good and bad bugs. Some sprays are labeled as safe for beneficials, but not all. So do your homework and apply sparingly.
I hope you find this answer helpful in protecting your basil from future attack, David. Thanks for writing in!.
Growing lush basil plants only to have the leaves mysteriously disappear overnight can be incredibly frustrating for gardeners. But don’t worry – with some detective work you can discover what pest is feasting on your basil after dark and take steps to protect your plants.
Common Basil Nibblers
A variety of critters may be nibbling on basil leaves during the night Here are the top suspects to investigate
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Slugs and Snails – These slimy mollusks slide onto basil plants under cover of darkness to chew ragged holes in leaves. Their telltale slime trails are a giveaway clue.
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Earwigs – Earwigs are creepy looking insects with pincer-like appendages. They lurk in moist dark areas during the day then come out at night to eat foliage.
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Cutworms – Plump cutworm caterpillars hide in soil by day and climb onto plants after sunset, cutting off leaves and buds.
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Grasshoppers – These jumping insects are most active at night and enjoy munching on basil, leaving tiny holes.
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Caterpillars – Some moth and butterfly caterpillars only feed at night and can quickly defoliate plants. Look for curled up caterpillars hiding on undersides of leaves.
Inspect Plants at Night
To catch nighttime basil nibblers in the act, you need to examine plants after sunset. Turn on a flashlight or headlamp and carefully inspect leaves top and bottom, stems, soil and mulch around plants. Move slowly and watch for signs of movement. This nighttime stakeout should reveal the identity of the nocturnal pest. You may even catch them munching on a leaf!
Look for Daytime Clues
Even if you can’t do a late night basil check, look for daytime clues to point the finger at nighttime nibblers. Telltale signs include:
- Slug and snail slime trails on leaves or nearby surfaces
- Pile of frass (insect poop) under plant
- Chewed up leaves scattered on the ground
- Earwig pinchers left behind
- Damaged or eaten stems at soil level
Set Traps for Night Prowlers
Trapping is an effective control method for nighttime basil nibblers:
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For slugs and snails, put out inverted melon rinds or grapefruit skins near plants at night. Check trapped mollusks in the morning.
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Earwigs can be lured into tuna fish cans filled with a bit of oil. Dispose of them in the morning.
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Lay cutworm collars made of cardboard around basil stems to stop cutworms from climbing up.
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Sticky traps near plants capture crawling pests like caterpillars and grasshoppers at night when they’re active.
Deterrents that Work After Dark
There are also several ways to deter pests from snacking on your basil at night:
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Create a border of diatomaceous earth around plants to irritate soft-bodied slugs and snails.
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Sprinkle crushed eggshells around the base of plants to hinder slugs.
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Apply insect repelling geranium oil or peppermint oil to plants.
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Install motion-activated lights or sprinklers to scare off nocturnal prowlers.
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Cover plants with floating row covers at night to form a protective barrier.
Encourage Natural Predators
Finally, attract beneficial insects to your garden that feed on basil pests:
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Plant pollen producing flowers like cosmos to draw in lacewings and ladybugs.
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Create a water source like a birdbath to attract insect-eating birds.
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Introduce trichogramma wasps that parasitize moth eggs and caterpillars.
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Release green lacewings that eat aphids, caterpillars, leafhoppers and other basil pests.
Be Diligent About Prevention
Keep a close eye on your basil crop day and night to stay vigilant about pest problems. Address them promptly before extensive damage occurs. With consistent monitoring, trapping, deterrents and natural pest control, you can foil those nocturnal nibblers! Then you can relax and simply enjoy harvesting abundant basil leaves.
HELP!! Something’s Eating My Basil
FAQ
How do I stop bugs from eating my basil plant?
What animal is eating my basil at night?
When should I cover my basil plants at night?
How to keep squirrels away from basil plants?
What eats my Basil?
Identifying what’s eating your basil is the first step in safeguarding your plants. In my quest to protect my basil, I’ve discovered that common pests include aphids, Japanese beetles, slugs, and caterpillars. Cutworms and leafminers have also joined the feast on my basil on occasion.
Do pests eat basil leaves?
No wonder several insects/pests love and enjoy eating basil leaves just as much we do. However, identifying these critters and preventing them from eating your basils is very important. Act quickly at the first sign of pests and start removing them and the damaged leaves as soon as you encounter holes in them.
How do you keep pests from eating Basil?
There are several ways to deter pests from eating basil. Cover the plant with row covers when Japanese beetles are imminent, use diatomaceous earth around the plant to deter soft bodied pests like snails and slugs, and spray with an insecticidal soap or neem ensuring entire coverage of the plant at the first sign of pest attack.
Do beetles eat basil?
Beetles, particularly Japanese beetles and flea beetles, can wreak havoc on your basil plants. These pests munch on the leaves, leaving behind a series of holes and often a frail, skeleton-like appearance.