What is eating my basil???!!!

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   DzyMsLizzyposted 6 years ago

   My sweet basil plant has a number of leaves with smooth-edged, round-to-slightly-oblong holes in them.  The holes are not in the "geographic center" of the leaves, but are all within the borders, which is to say, not coming in from the edges.  I tried to take a picture, but my camera crapped out.
   
   I looked at the leaves carefully, and don't see any evidence of things like aphids, spider mites, or anything.  The leaves are clean, top and bottom.  But, unless I know what is chomping at the plants, I have no way to dissuade the critters. There are no snails in the veggie garden, and no evidence of them by trails, either.  So they are not the culprits.
   
   By the way, this plant is not down on the ground; it's in a tall, raised planter we built as a 'salad bar.'  It stands up on legs a little above waist high.

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      bravewarriorposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Could it be Japanese beetles? I did a cursory Google search and that was one of the critters you didn't mention above. Rabbits will eat basil, too, but the article I read said to plant your basil up high (which you did) to avoid bunnies munching on the leaves.

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         DzyMsLizzyposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I'll have to Google those to see what they look like. As of right now, I don't have a clue what a Japanese beetle is or looks like.
         The only pest I've seen around here are earwigs...but I'm not seeing them on the plants...
         
         I "wish" we had bunnies; and we used to see them in the empty lot behind us, a former abandoned orchard...but what the city allowed to be done there, leaving us with an ugly mound of dirt and weeds....no more wildlife.  :-(

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            bravewarriorposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            I can relate. Up until 2 years ago, there were wooded lots behind and next to my home. Now there are houses and very little wildlife left.

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            Venkatachari Mposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            I googled and found that tiny whiteflies or aphids can be most destructive to basil plants. Since you are not noticing any spider mite or aphids, they could be the white flies that can come and go without your notice. The whiteflies generally hang around water taps, sinks, and wet places. I often notice them in my kitchen and I sprayed the general mosquito or cockroach spray to destroy them. Nowadays, I keep my sink cleaning every Sunday or like that. So, they have left now.

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               DzyMsLizzyposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               Thanks VM--I haven't seen any whiteflies, either.  The search goes on. 

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   cat on a soapboxposted 6 years ago

   Basil is often the target of tiny black flea beetles which are able to jump and fly which may be why you don't see them. Do the leaves look "shot-holed?"  If this is the culprit, I'd try dusting the leaves w/  diatomaceous earth. It is usually available in the nursery section and acts like microscopic glass to insects, piercing their shells and causing dehydration. Another option is Neem oil which acts as a growth interrupter and will halt the reproduction cycle. It is not a contact insecticide. Both are safe for organic garden use. Good luck!!

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      DzyMsLizzyposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks--I do have DE--purchased to simply address a flea problem we had last year with the cats.  I can put some of that on/around the plants.  Funny, the attacks are limited to the basil, and nothing on the assorted lettuces or oregano planted in the same planter!

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         cat on a soapboxposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Flea beetles are supposed to be repelled by basil, but not in my garden! Glad you have DE. It should work against Japanese beetles as well! Keep us posted on your progress:)

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