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How to Get Rid of Mealybugs on Basil Plants

Whether sitting in a sunny kitchen window or grown outside in an herb garden, basil is a delight for those who like to grow and use their own produce. The main concern about basil, which is fairly easy to grow, is the pests it attracts. Mealybugs are one of the most common pests you will see when growing basil. Belonging to the scale family of insects, mealybugs are soft-bodied creatures found on the underside of the leaves or clustered around the roots. Equipped with a sharp sucker, they draw important nutrients from your herbs, causing stunted growth, yellowed leaves,and sooty black mold. Excreting honeydew, they attract other pests such as as ants, aphids and white flies. Mealybugs are difficult to eliminate as they have a protective barrier insecticidal soaps cannot penetrate. With careful attention, however, you can eradicate mealybugs in a nontoxic, earth friendly way.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cotton balls
  • 2 tbsps. cooking oil
  • 2 tbsps. baby shampoo
  • 1 gallon water
  • Pump sprayer
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Instructions

  1. Rubbing alcohol method

    • 1

      Look over your basil plant carefully to find any infested areas. Mealybugs are covered in a fluffy white, wax-like substance.

    • 2

      Soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and wipe the infested area.

    • 3

      Check your basil plant the next day to see if any mealybugs remain. Repeat the procedure if necessary. Rinse off plant leaves with water after the second application of alcohol to prevent dehydrating your basil plant.

    • 4

      Repeat this procedure every two weeks until all mealybugs are gone.

    Homemade Oil Spray

    • 5

      Add 2 tsps. of cooking oil to the gallon of water. The oil in this recipe works in two ways: It helps the solution stick to your basil and also suffocates the mealybugs.

    • 6

      Add 2 tbsps. of baby shampoo to the oil and water mixture. Liquid soap has been a tried and true insect killer for gardeners for generations. Because baby shampoo is not a detergent, it is gentle enough for most plant species.

    • 7

      Add the alcohol to the solution, cover and shake well. Alcohol added to the solution aids in penetrating the body of the insect.

    • 8

      Pour solution into a spray bottle. Store excess in a cool, dry place.

    • 9

      Spray infested areas with the oil spray and wash both sides of the leaves well. Rinse off when you are done.

    • 10

      Repeat this procedure every five to seven days.

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Growing Basil
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