[Arid_gardener] Basil

[Tyler Storey]

Hi Lou,

Short of searching and picking them off by hand, the best method is to spray
with a substance called Bt, or Bacillus thuringiensis.  It comes under a
number of trade names and is available at almost any garden store or
nursery.  It's an organic method for controlling caterpillars, and works by
essentially giving them a terminal stomachache.  Even though it should be
completely safe, as with any pesticide, organic or not, always read and
follow the label.  

Failing that, you might like to know that caterpillars are what they eat,
and those little green guys eating your basil are pretty much 99 percent
basil themselves, and so unlikely to be much cause for concern if they get
into your food.  Not, admittedly, an approach for the faint of heart or weak
of stomach.  Probably better to stick with the Bt.

I hope this helps,

Tyler

 

 <mailto:tyler at tylerstorey.com> tyler at tylerstorey.com

 <http://tylerstorey.com> http://tylerstorey.com

602-738-2978

  _____  

From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of loujo
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 5:22 PM
To: Arid Gardener
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Basil

 

We have a wonderful crop of Italian Basil growing in our raised garden.

About a month or so ago we noticed that the leafs were being eaten, and
since then the damage has become worse.

Last week my wife discovered a green worm about an inch long on some of the
Basil when she went to wash it off.

My question what can I use to rid my plants of these worms. I don't want to
spray the plants with anything because we enjoy the Basil in our food so
much.

Is there something that I can spread around the base of the plants. Or any
other suggestions.

Please help

 

LOU  85226

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