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What is this bug and could it be eating my basil?

13 years ago

Hello

I have a window box with basil and parsley. The parsley is fine, but something is eating my basil. This happened last year and I tried everything I could think of, including Captain Jack's solution. Nothing worked. Some pictures of my basil are attached.

I have had the bugs shown on the attached pictures for quite a few years (on my porch), but I don't know what they are. Just wondering if anyone can identify them for me. Maybe they are the basil culprits.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bugs and Basil

Comments (3)

hortster
13 years ago
Some type of earwig? Don't know if they affect basil.
hortster
celiaanne
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, hortster. I'll google earwig and see.

There are just so many of them and they hang out under the window boxes.

Anyone else know what they might be for sure??

Thanks.
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
13 years ago
Yep, if the earwig population is high, they will one hundred percent damage tender plants.

They thrive in locations that are rich in organic matter (peat, mulch, leaf litter, etc.) and moist. Do something to change the environment and you may not be troubled so much by the earwigs.

You can also keep some food grade diatomaceous earth sprinkled on the surface of the soil.

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