Insecticide For Tulsi Plant

The annual herb basil (Ocimum basilicum) is prized for its large, succulent leaves. Unfortunately, that tender foliage also tempts insects that can ruin individual leaves, or even entire plants. Examine your basil plants to catch bugs in the act, if possible, so that you know which bugs are munching on your plants. Your options for spraying basil plants range from free homemade potions to targeted commercial products.

Some basil pests can be controlled with the simplest of sprays – a strong jet of water from your garden hose. Among those bugs easily knocked off basil plants are whiteflies, spider mites and aphids. If serious infestations have caused some foliage to curl up or turn brown, clip these away before spraying the basil. To decrease the risk of fungal disease from wet leaves, hose off basil during late morning on a sunny day. If possible, position the hose upward so that the water hits the underside of leaves, where soft-bodied pests such as aphids, mites and whiteflies tend to gather.

Commercial soap sprays can kill soft-bodied, small basil pests such as aphids, whiteflies and spider mites. Insecticidal soaps are available in both ready-to-use spray bottles or as concentrate. If you use the former, shake the spray bottle and squirt the soap spray directly on the basil leaves, being sure to coat the lower leaves as well as the upper surfaces. If possible, squirt basil pests directly. When using a concentrate, follow instructions on how much of the solution to dilute with plain water – for example, 5 tablespoons per gallon of water – before putting the soapy liquid into a spray bottle or backpack sprayer. As with ready-to-use soap spray, coat both sides of basil foliage. Soap sprays are best used in early evening so that the intense daytime sun doesn’t harm the foliage when interacting with the soap.

If you prefer, you can make your own homemade soap spray. Mix liquid, non-detergent soap with plain tap water. If your home water supply is hard (high-mineral), bottled spring water makes a better choice. For every 1 gallon of water you use, add 1 to 3 teaspoons of mild liquid soap before pouring the blended mixture into a clean spray bottle or backpack sprayer. As with commercial soapy spray, it’s safest to apply this mixture in early evening to minimize damage to your basil. Spray both the top and bottoms of basil leaves.

Neem spray is also a viable option for controlling such basil pests as beetles, thrips, whiteflies and aphids. Neem comes the Indian neem tree (Azadirachta indica), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 10 to 12. Neem sprays are considered low-impact for the environment, while effective at killing destructive bugs and halting the reproduction of these insect pests. For garden use, neem products, also known as azadiractin, are available as concentrates. Follow label directions for exact proportions of water to neem concentrate. One manufacturer specifies 2 tablespoons neem concentrate to 1 gallon water, for example. Put the mixed liquid in your sprayer of choice and coat upper and lower surfaces of leaves until they are dripping. Because neem is most effective when the leaves stay wet from neem as long as possible, apply the spray in early evening during dry weather.