Actually, you did everything right when it came to caring for the basil - optimal location, good herb soil and correct watering. Still there are black balls under the plant? We explain what it is and what you can do about it.
What are the black balls on basil?
If many small black balls can be discovered on the soil and around the basil plant pot, these are thefeces of caterpillars that have infected the plant.
Why are the beads under my basil?
The caterpillar's excrement is created because the pests have to nibble on thebasiland therefore of course alsodigest it. Since this is a completely natural cycle, just wiping away the black balls is not enough - as long as the caterpillars are not removed, new droppings will continue to appear.
How can a caterpillar infestation occur?
When basil is left outsidebutterflies and other insects lay their eggs, from which caterpillars emerge as dreaded pests. If a specimen of the culinary herb standing in the room is affected by caterpillars, it is usually the case that this plant was previously outdoors and insects also laid their eggs.
Are there any other signs of caterpillar infestation?
In addition to the small black balls, the caterpillar infestation can be seen on alooking increasingly worse, slowly dying plant. If, after a closer look, you discover small animals, especially well hidden on the undersides of the leaves, the case is crystal clear: they are caterpillars and the pellets are caterpillar droppings.
How do I go about getting rid of the black balls?
In order to get rid of the pellets, the cause must be addressed - the caterpillars must disappear. There are two ways to do this:
- Collecting by hand or with tweezers
- Cutting off affected plant parts (do this generously!)
The caterpillars have only been successfully destroyed when no new pellets can be found after a while.
To prevent this, spray the potted plant withgarlic water good home remedy. To do this, simply add boiling water to a crushed garlic clove and pour the cooled broth into a spray bottle.
Can infected basil plants be saved?
The faster you act, the bettercan basil plants be savedunder which black balls were found. There is nothing wrong with eating the leaves - unless you feel disgust. If the caterpillars have already damaged the plant very badly and it is visibly eaten or has black dots, in many cases it can no longer be saved.
Tip
Algae lime for prevention
To prevent insects from laying their eggs on the basil plants, it can help to sprinkle algae lime on the soil - this method is just as suitable for basil in pots as it is for basil that has been planted in the garden. However, it only helps preventatively. In the event of an acute caterpillar infestation, it is essential to collect the pests as quickly as possible.
