basil being attacked by bugs
Lin B
Posts: 2
when i moved a month ago, i started putting my basil outside because i didnt have a sunny enough spot indoors. its being ravaged at this point, im not getting any the insects get it all. its on a porch. ive been trying a homemade soap spray heavy on cayenne pepper, diatomaceous earth on the top of the soil, and ive tried flooding the pots to kill possible beetles living in it. i have found a couple beetleish looking dark long and skinny bugs, and some small black ones that i think were that type of flea because they moved so fast. most of the basil is indoors, and still was ravaged over the last 24 hrs. there are also leaves with small almost perfect circular holes.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e103/Lin_171/20150610_113451_zpsvz2y7j7g.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e103/Lin_171/20150610_145303_zpsqi6mr6ng.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e103/Lin_171/20150610_145336_zpsczdq6vol.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e103/Lin_171/20150610_145410_zpswj2xh367.jpg
Posts
pretty sure the damage is from earwigs. i squished 2 on my basil this morning. i set traps last night but they were empty. unsurprising because the directions were to set on the ground or bury in the ground (like water or oil traps in containers). i put toilet paper rolls stuffed with wet toilet paper on the pots, and the others next to the pots. added more D.E. before bed, maybe why I caught 2 this morning. I'll try a borax and oatmeal bait tonight too but im getting at wits end. Here is 24 hours worth of ruined leaves:
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e103/Lin_171/20150612_170648_zpsgucmwckg.jpg