what insects does basil repel

Basil (Ocimum

basilicum) mollypix / Getty Images Basil repels asparagus beetle, carrot fly, flies, mosquitoes, and whitefly. 2 It’s the scent that deters the insects, so gently touching the leaves to release their oils as you walk by improves its effectiveness.

Full Answer

Do basil plants repel bugs and pests?

Have you ever tried hanging out on your front porch in the evening only to end up wanting to go back inside your house because there are so many insects flying around your face and buzzing in your ear? Instead of buying contraptions and repellents for bugs and pests that are ruining the peaceful atmosphere of your house, make use of basil plants!

Does Basil repel horn worms?

Basil has a reputation for repelling horn worms, too, so is often planted near tomatoes. Be aware, however, that companion planting isn't fool-proof. Basil repels many insects but may attract katydids and Japanese beetles.

How to get rid of basil plant flies?

Outdoor basil plants are susceptible to whiteflies in spite of their ability to repel domestic house flies. Repeated applications of a horticultural soap may help get rid of basil plant flies. Basil pest control seems to have limited effectiveness when the pests are actually on the plant! Does Basil Keep Flies Away?

What kind of Basil do mosquitoes eat?

If mosquitoes are your most prominent pest, lime basil ( Ocimum americanum) and holy basil ( Ocimum sanctu) work best. Any basil variety will help, however. Basil and tomatoes taste great together and grow well together. The premise of companion planting is that growing certain plants offer the plants mutual benefits.

What insects does basil keep away?

Basil also acts as a good insect repellent for flies and mosquitoes. Very useful using fresh leaves rubbed on the skin. Eucalyptol. According to research conducted by Kansas State University, this compound is effective in eliminating bugs from the kitchen and repelling cockroaches and weevils.

Is basil a good insect repellent?

As one of the most pungent herbs, I can easily see why basil makes the list as a natural mosquito repellent. It makes sense, because basil is known as the perfect companion plant to tomatoes to help keep bugs away.

Does basil plant attract bugs?

A handful of insects are attracted to the basil plant. The Japanese Beetle, slugs, thrips, aphids, spider mites, and some caterpillars. Smaller insects can be removed with a strong water spray, while larger garden pests can be picked off by hand.

How do I use basil as insect repellent?

Instead of spraying yourself with DEET or other chemicals, simply crush a few basil leaves and rub them on your skin and clothing. The basil will repel bothersome pests, including mosquitoes. If mosquitoes are your most prominent pest, lime basil (Ocimum americanum) and holy basil (Ocimum sanctu) work best.

Are fruit flies attracted to basil?

Fruit flies can't stand the smell of basil, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender and clove. If you've had a fruit fly problem in the past, try placing these fragrant herbs in muslin sacks or tea bags and hanging them around the house.

Does basil repel cockroaches?

In summary, the best plants that repel roaches and pesky insects are as follows: Basil plants, because they release a smell similar to the one created by cockroach repellent.

Does basil attract spiders?

Basil. In addition to being a fantastic cooking ingredient, basil will also repel spiders and other types of bugs such as ants, houseflies and mosquitoes. Plant basil in pots in outdoor areas and by your house. You can also use fresh basil to make an insect repellent spray.

What bugs are attracted to basil?

Aside from people, there are a variety of things that eat basil. Japanese beetles, slugs, and aphids are the most common basil pests. Other pests include whiteflies, spider mites, caterpillars, and thrips.

Does basil attract bees?

Bees love basil, too, and like to collect both pollen and nectar from its blooms. Did we mention that? Let your basil flower and you'll keep your neighborhood bees happy. Bees love herbs, but you have to make sure there are flowers available for pollen and nectar.

Will basil keep flies away?

Herbs that repel flies include: Basil – Basil is a wonderful fly repelling herb plant with numerous varieties, ease of growth, and a heavenly aroma. Bruising a leaf and then rubbing it on your skin will provide protection from flies and other biting insects.

What is eating my basil at night?

Slugs and snails also tend to eat basil at night. If you notice a lot of the leaf damage is happening over night, it's a strong sign that it's a slug or snail snacking on that precious basil leaf.

Is basil toxic to mosquitoes?

Basil brings us delicious pesto sauce and tasty salads, but it can also keep away mosquitoes. This plant naturally emits its aroma, so there's no need to crush the leaves or prepare it in any way. Basil is toxic to mosquito larvae, so you can put it near standing water to deter mosquitoes from laying eggs.

How to keep mosquitoes away from basil?

Cut some basil leaves off your plants with a sharp knife. Bruise the basil leaves and strew them on your porch or patio to enjoy your dinner without insects buzzing around. Put shredded basil in dishes on outdoor tables to help repel mosquitoes or place stalks of basil in your fresh floral centerpiece. Advertisement.

What is the best basil to use for mosquitoes?

The basil will repel bothersome pests, including mosquitoes. If mosquitoes are your most prominent pest, lime basil ( Ocimum americanum) and holy basil ( Ocimum sanctu) work best.

How to dry basil?

To dry basil, hang it by its stems or spread the leaves on trays in a dark, dry place. If you don't have a dark place such as a closet or cupboard for drying the herbs, put them in a paper bag. Sunlight reduces the herb's pungent scent and effectiveness. Once the basil is fully dry, it's ready to burn.

Is basil an insect repellent?

How to Use Basil as an Insect Repellent. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Basil plants are attractive and beneficial. Chemical insect controls work well in the garden, but they have many negative side effects. Insecticides kill indiscriminately, harming both pests and beneficial insects such as bees.

Can you crush basil leaves?

You can use basil as a companion plant or rub it on your skin for personal protection. You can also crush or burn basil leaves to deter unwanted pests. Doing so eliminates pests without harming the insects that help your lawn and garden. Advertisement.

Can you plant basil next to tomatoes?

Basil has a reputation for repelling horn worms, too, so is often planted near tomatoes. Be aware, however, that companion planting isn't fool-proof.

Can you burn basil incense?

Once the basil is fully dry, it's ready to burn. Dry basil will crumble when you crush it. Use a fire-safe container—such as a metal container with holes in the lid designed for burning incense—and keep the container away from other flammable materials to reduce the risk of fire. Advertisement. references.

So How Exactly Do You Repel Flies Using Basil?

We have established that basil is a useful and beneficial herb to humans, so why exactly do flies hate it so much?

Does Basil Repel Other Pests?

Not only does basil repel flies, but it can be very effective in repelling other pests as well, especially ones that you find as intrusive as flies.

Alternative Ways To Repel Flies

While basil is fantastic for getting rid of those flies and keeping them away, there are additional methods you can use that will also repel flies. Let’s go over some of the most popular and effective ways you can do this.

Other Herbs Can Be Used to Repel Flies

Believe it or not, there are other herbs flies also detest the smell of. Let’s take a look at some of them!

Can Basil Be Used to Repel Flies? Wrapping it Up!

It is time to say goodbye and good riddance to those flies once and for all!

How to get rid of basil flies?

Repeated applications of a horticultural soap may help get rid of basil plant flies. Basil pest control seems to have limited effectiveness when the pests are actually on the plant!

What is the flavor of basil?

There are many varieties of basil, adding a twist on the plant’s flavor in essences of citrus, licorice, cinnamon, and spice.

What is the best oil to use to keep gnats out of food?

Basil contains very heady oil and is useful in the kitchen to keep small gnats and flies out of food. Small moisture gnats that live in the soil of potted plants are also foiled by mixing in some dried basil to the soil.

Can basil be grown in a pot?

Basil is intolerant of cold temperatures and needs a full day of sunlight. The plants are useful as potted herbs in a sunny, bright kitchen or outside in the warm summer months around the vegetable or herb garden. Potted basil plants require well-drained soil and should not be allowed to stand in a dish of water.

Does soggy soil attract gnats?

Soggy soil attracts small gnats and basil plant flies which are annoying and difficult to remove. Outdoor basil plants are susceptible to whiteflies in spite of their ability to repel domestic house flies. Repeated applications of a horticultural soap may help get rid of basil plant flies.

Does basil help with pests?

Some herbs are useful companion plants that prevent pest problems. It is said that basil can keep flies from pestering you.

How do plants repel insects?

Plants that repel insects are often used for natural pest control through companion planting, the practice of growing different plants together to achieve specific results. Like humans, insects have their preferred foods, and they usually find these foods by scent. You can make it harder for insects to locate the buffet by mixing in plants ...

What plants repel aphids?

Onions (allium cepa) Marie Iannotti / The Spruce. Onions repel aphids, carrot rust flies, and flea beetles. The combination of carrots and onions has done well in testing. To foil flea beetles on eggplants, you can try tossing onion peelings around them, although the actual onion plants work better.

What is the best plant for asparagus beetle?

Calendula, or pot marigold, repels asparagus beetle. It also attracts beneficial insects, so this edible flower is useful throughout your garden. USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11. Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade.

How to get rid of potato beetle in Colorado?

Use horseradish to repel Colorado potato beetle. This can be tricky because it is hard to plant a perennial like horseradish with a crop like potatoes, which needs to be dug every season, but it should have some effect if grown in the general vicinity.

How to make it harder for insects to find the buffet?

You can make it harder for insects to locate the buffet by mixing in plants that will confuse their sense of smell, such as planting onions between cabbages . This means you won’t be able to plant in tidy rows and large blocks of a single vegetable, but it doesn’t take a lot to have an effect.

Is dill good for cabbage moths?

Dill is excellent for repelling cabbage moths. Dill is also a good plant for attracting beneficial insects and is a host plant for black swallowtail butterflies. You will lose a little dill while the larvae feed, but they are not around for long, and the butterflies are lovely. USDA Growing Zones: Annual plant.

Does catmint repel aphids?

Catmint repels aphids, asparagus beetle, Colorado potato beetle, and, squash bugs. The one drawback with catnip is that some varieties can be aggressive spreaders and quickly take over large parts of the garden.

What pests eat basil?

Japanese beetles, slugs, and aphids are the most common basil pests. Other pests include whiteflies, spider mites, caterpillars, and thrips. Animals aren’t likely to be eating your basil, although some damage could occur if an animal is eating the bugs off your plant.

How to get rid of pests in basil?

Make sure your basil gets plenty of light, and don’t overwater it! At the first sign of pests, act quickly to remove the damaged leaves and the pests themselves. With this information in your tool kit, you can get rid of pests and get back to pesto.

What pests are small and round?

Beetles have a hard exoskeleton; whiteflies resemble tiny white moths; aphids are small, oblong, and either green or orange; and spider mites are very small and round.

What pests can't see the leaves?

If you can’t see a pest, you can make an educated guess based on the holes in the leaves. Slugs and caterpillars leave large, uneven holes; Japanese beetles don’t eat the veins of the leaf; and aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites make smaller, smoother holes.

Can basil kill bugs?

Basil has such a wonderful flavor, it’s no wonder so many insects enjoy it as much as we do. You can kill those critters in a few simple ways, but prevention is just as important. A properly cared-for, healthy, happy basil is naturally more resistant to pests than a sad, poorly tended basil.

How to keep bugs off basil?

Be sure to spray the top and bottom of the leaves. Also, be sure to spray any areas that are hard-to-reach where bugs may be eating your basil. Rinse the plant after you’re done the spraying. Repeat daily. Note that you should always test this on a single leaf and see how it reacts.

How to keep basil from getting mealy bugs?

Keeping your basil clean and regularly washed will help get rid of mealybugs and other pests. Be sure not to overwater a plant when you rinse it. You’ll have to drain the excess water if it’s a potted basil. You can also use a natural or organic leaf shine to help keep the plant clean.

What are the black bugs on my basil plant?

The tiny black bugs you see on your basil plant are spider mites (in the majority of cases). These mites are dangerous to plants because they pierce the basil leaves and suck out the water and nutrients. Unmanaged, this can lead to permanent damage to your plant and eventually will kill your basil.

What pests eat basil leaves?

But then you also have weirder pests like earwigs, four-winged flies, and even spider mites. There are many bugs that will eat basil leaves and leave plenty of holes in them.

How to get rid of white bugs on basil?

Spray the mixture directly onto visible bugs you see on the basil plants (tiny white bugs, black bugs, caterpillars, aphids, etc.) Spray the mixture under leaves , stems, branches, or anywhere else where bugs may be hiding. Remove the dead bugs. Rinse the basil plant with fresh, running water. Repeat every other day.

How long does it take for aphids to get out of basil?

You may have to reapply constantly until the bugs are gone. This may take you a few weeks depending on how many aphids you have. Cold water seems to work better than warm or room temperature water. Dish soap always happens to be one of the best ways to get rid of bugs on your basil.

How to get rid of burnt basil?

Test the spray on a small part of the basil plant and watch out for damage or burning. If you notice plant damage, either add more water or use fewer drops of dish soap . If the plant is OK, you can apply it to the entire plant safely. Be sure to wash the basil afterward or else the soap may damage the plant.

What herb repels moths?

Another herb you can depend on when insect infestation is happening in your home is mint. The herb is known to repel several pests like moths, ants, beetles, fleas, mouse, mosquitoes, and aphids.

How to repel insects from thyme?

If you want to repel insects successfully, you have to bruise its leaves for the chemical to be released. Once those pesky pests get a smell of thyme, they will fly or crawl away from your garden or property. When you have this herb, always be careful as the natural chemicals it contains might affect you.

What is the best herb to kill mosquitoes in Cornelius?

However, if the mosquito infestation is already severe, a pest control expert in Cornelius is what you need to call. 5. Catnip. Another to put on your list of top ten herbs for repelling insects is catnip.

What herb to use for cornelius?

If you don’t want to take the risk, a pest control professional in Cornelius can help you. 2. Basil. If you have flies and mosquitoes at home, this is the herb you need. Basil is an effective insect repellent which you can plant in your garden. It has a dual purpose as it can also be added to your salad.

What herbs repel earworms?

But, if you want to use herbs as an initial treatment, then let’s find out the top 10 herbs you can have in your home to repel insects. 1. Thyme. Thyme is an herb you can rely on when insects are bothering your home. The herb deters mosquitoes, earworm, maggot, hornworm, and whiteflies.

How to contact Lake Norman Pest Control?

If you don’t want to suffer from the wrath of insects, better call Lake Norman Pest Control at 704-663-6440, and they will be pleased to give you exceptional pest control services! Request Your Free Quote. Full Name: *.

What are the most common pests in your home?

Cockroaches, termites, flies, mosquitoes, ants, and fleas are the common pests you can experience in your home regardless of the weather. Eliminating them is difficult, but you can use alternative methods to repel them like planting certain herbs.