Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

grasswire

(50,130 posts)
Tue Aug 13, 2013, 12:37 AM Aug 2013

what critter is eating my basil and petunias??

My basil plants are pretty much turned into lace. Petunias have holes in the blossoms. Something is eating them. It isn't slugs.

Any ideas?

TIA

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
what critter is eating my basil and petunias?? (Original Post) grasswire Aug 2013 OP
Earwigs have feasted on my basil this year. CrispyQ Aug 2013 #1
thanks for the clue grasswire Aug 2013 #2
Try garlic spray. beac Aug 2013 #3
Japanese Beetles can do a number on basil as well, but they are obvious.... NRaleighLiberal Aug 2013 #4
well I have given up on them for the year... grasswire Aug 2013 #5
too bad you weren't my neighbor - I have more than I know what to do with! NRaleighLiberal Aug 2013 #6
that's interesting grasswire Aug 2013 #7
well, they are tomatoes - home grown ones - so that is a good thing! NRaleighLiberal Aug 2013 #8
mine are just coming on grasswire Aug 2013 #9

CrispyQ

(38,604 posts)
1. Earwigs have feasted on my basil this year.
Tue Aug 13, 2013, 09:13 AM
Aug 2013

I've had issues with them in the past at the first of the season, but they have persisted this year.

beac

(9,992 posts)
3. Try garlic spray.
Tue Aug 13, 2013, 04:10 PM
Aug 2013

I've used Mosquito Barrier (they also make a less-strong version called Garlic Barrier, but I prefer the MB) with great success. The pests taste the garlic and leave your plants alone but it doesn't impact the taste for humans (assuming you are eating the basil but NOT the petunias ).


http://www.mosquitobarrier.com/

grasswire

(50,130 posts)
5. well I have given up on them for the year...
Wed Aug 14, 2013, 10:49 PM
Aug 2013

....and will have to get my basil at farmers market. Grrr!

NRaleighLiberal

(60,576 posts)
6. too bad you weren't my neighbor - I have more than I know what to do with!
Wed Aug 14, 2013, 10:50 PM
Aug 2013

the deer found pretty much everything else in one of our gardens...but not the basil!

grasswire

(50,130 posts)
7. that's interesting
Wed Aug 14, 2013, 10:54 PM
Aug 2013

By the way, I have two tomato varieties that I haven't tasted yet. Somthing called "Stupice" and another called "Legend".

Can you predict the flavor for me? If they aren't full-flavored, I will probably use them as green maters. Of course, the sungold spoils us all, for flavor.

NRaleighLiberal

(60,576 posts)
8. well, they are tomatoes - home grown ones - so that is a good thing!
Wed Aug 14, 2013, 10:56 PM
Aug 2013

Stupice is a good early variety while waiting for the big ones. I've not grown Legend, but from reading about it, sounds reasonably good.

I am pretty spoiled by some of the big time large ones this year - we had a short crop, lots of disease, but those we did pick had pretty spectacular flavor....alas, all gone!

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Gardening»what critter is eating my...