Pest Control for an Herb Garden

Pests

• Many common herbs attract pests to your garden. Pests, such as aphids love chives, basil, thyme, mint and oregano. Sage and basil attract slugs. Spider mites like to eat marjoram, rosemary, mint and oregano. Tarragon and dill, however, bring less pests. When planting herbs, create a plan to deal with the pests they attract.

Strategies

• Choose plants that deter pests. Although pesticides work, find a way to keep your herbs safe for consuming. For example, planting both marigolds and nasturtium among your herbs creates a diversion and attracts insects away from the herbs. Another strategy is planting herbs such as dill, mint and yarrow that attract beneficial insects. These beneficial insects -- such as praying mantis, lacewings and ladybugs -- feed on pests such as aphids and mites.

Natural Remedies

• Before using a chemical pesticide, use a natural remedy against pests in your herb garden. For insects such as mites and aphids, mix one tbsp. canola oil with a few drops of Ivory liquid soap in 1 qt. of water, and spray it on the affected herbs. Control spider mites using a similar recipe, but replace the canola oil with two tbsp. of hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper. Both remedies, while deadly to pests, are safe to use on herbs.

Other Remedies

• Many sprays and soaps are available that kill herb garden pests. Ask your local nursery which is most appropriate. Another option is diatomaceous earth. It's made up of tiny diatoms with sharp edges. Sprinkle the granules in the garden around your plants. While harmless to plants and most beneficial insects, diatomaceous earth cuts into the exoskeleton and bodies of pests such as ants and slugs, effectively killing them.