Night Pests Eating Basil: Earwigs, Caterpillars, and Organic Sprays

Holes in basil (and some mint/oregano) on a patio with earwigs and ants suggest nocturnal feeders: caterpillars, slugs, or earwigs.

Homemade Night Spray

Recipe: 1 tsp cider vinegar OR garlic oil OR hot sauce + 1 pint water.

Method: Test 1 leaf. Spray tops/undersides at dusk every 3 days. Rotate ingredients to prevent resistance.

Targeted Controls

• Earwigs: Rolled newspaper traps (check morning), diatomaceous earth barrier.
• Slugs: Beer traps, copper tape on pot rims.
• Caterpillars: Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) – specific, safe.
• Ants: Control aphids (ant food); borax/sugar baits away from pots.

Cultural Practices

• Pot basil separately (mint chokes others).
• Prune basil 1/3 every 3 weeks for airflow.
• Lavender: add 1 tbsp lime at planting, annually.
• Feed all with fish/seaweed every 3 weeks.

Resources

Gardens Alive (gardensalive.com) for organic pest-specific products.