What Can I Put on My Basil Plant to Get Rid of Bugs?

Potassium Bicarbonate Fungicide

• Fungicides address fungus rather than bugs. However, basil plants weakened by fungal leaf spot are more susceptible to insect predation. Spray your plants weekly with a potassium bicarbonate fungicide, commonly available in garden supply centers in a variety of brands and packages including certified organic sprays, to avoid fungal leaf spots and keep you plants their healthiest to help avoid bugs.

Azadiractin

• Azadiractin is a natural insecticide derived from the neem tree. It is one of the few natural insecticides that may help deter Japanese beetles, which can turn your basil plants into skeletons of lacy leaves overnight. The most effective answer to Japanese beetles, however, is to hand-pick them off the plants and drop them into a jar of soapy water or kerosene.

Beer

• Slugs are one of the few pests that can do serious damage to basil. Slugs may be deterred by spreading diatomaceous earth around your basil plants or by using traps. Inverted melon rinds will attract slugs to their undersides, or use a beer trap. Don't actually spray the beer on the basil plants -- rather, put it in small plastic deli tubs and sink the tub into the ground between your basil plants. The slugs, attracted by the fermentation smell, will slip into the beer and drown.

Insecticidal Soap

• Liquid insecticidal soaps are harmless to humans, but effectively eliminate soft-bodied insect pests like aphids, spider mites and whiteflies, which can sometimes inhabit your basil plants. Insecticidal soaps are available at most garden and home stores, in full-strength spray bottles or in less-expensive concentrates that you can dilute with water. Spray your basil in the evening so that sunlight does not burn the leaves through the drops of water.