Basil is a common herb used in cooking. It is also a favorite among home gardeners. However, the caterpillar is the most dangerous pest to basil. Caterpillars must always be spotted and destroyed before they destroy the whole crop. Here are 5 Natural Treatments For Caterpillars Eating Basil.
5 Natural Treatments For Caterpillars On Basil
Molasses is a sticky, sweet substance made by boiling down sugar cane juice. It is used as an ingredient in many foods, including candy, baked goods, and beverages. It is also used as a medicine to treat coughs and colds.
Molasses spray is a pesticide used to kill insects. BT is a bacterium that kills pests. Picking them off by hand is very difficult because they are fast-moving.
Homemade molasses spray is an effective deterrent for Caterpillars Eating Basil.
1. Biological Control
Caterpillars are pests that eat other plants. They should be controlled by using natural predators such as birds, lacewings, parasitoids, and parasites. These predators will eat the caterpillars and will help control the population of the pest.
2. Insecticidal Soaps
Smaller caterpillar infestations can be controlled using hand-picking and insecticide. Basil plants should be picked before they flower, and then treated with insecticide.
3. Egg Shell Caterpillar Traps
Cabbage whites are attracted by the smell of basil. Once they land on the basil, they eat the leaves and leave behind an empty shell. After a few days, you can pick up the empty shells and remove the eggs. These caterpillars are harmless to humans and other plants.
4. Bacillus Thuringiensis Bt
For a natural caterpillar treatment, Bacillus thuringiensi is a bacteria that has been developed into a spray called Dipeel to kill caterpillars.
This spray is designed only for killing caterpillars and will take a few days to work. This can be an easy way to kill caterpillars, if you want to buy something pre-made.
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5. Pick Caterpillars Off By Hand
Caterpillars are pests that eat plants. To get rid of them, you should use a warm, soapy solution and then drown them in a bucket of water. You can also feed them to your chickens or ducks.
Caterpillar removal is very easy if you use your hands. You should wear gloves and protective eyewear while removing the caterpillars. This is because some caterpillars can spray irritating chemicals into the air when they are handled.
7 Things Eating Your Basil? Full Guide
Unnatural Remedies For Caterpillars Eating Basil
Spray your basil plants with a mixture of 1 tablespoon molasses, 1 teaspoon dish soap, and 1 liter of warm water. This solution will deter caterpillars from munching on your plants. Repeat the application every 3-5 days until the caterpillars are gone.
Caterpillar Types
The cutworm and the cabbage looper are both pests to the basil plant.
- The cutworm tends to eat the basil plant closer to ground level.
- The cabbage looper climbs up the basil plant and eats its leaves. The beet armyworm is another pest of the basil plant. Beet armyworms are usually found eating the leaves of the basil plant.
See what type of caterpillar is Eating Basil.
Natural Caterpillar Deterrents
Companion planting is a method used by gardeners to grow plants together to deter pests. Caterpillars are attracted to certain types of plants. Basil attracts beneficial insects that prey on them.
Herbs and flowers are less attractive to caterpillars. Plants that are less attractive to pests are planted near other plants that are more attractive to pests. Seedlings are grown in protected areas first before being moved into full sun. An insect hotel is used to attract beneficial insects.
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