How to Kill Bugs in Herb Gardens

PDF download Download Article
Cleanse your herb garden of pests using this simple guide
PDF download Download Article

Having an herb garden is a great way to grow herbs like basil, rosemary, dill, and thyme for cooking and baking. Unfortunately, bugs like aphids, whiteflies, mites, and beetles tend to like herb gardens too, and they can eat up all your beautiful herbs if you do not address them. You can use garden spray or set traps to kill bugs in your garden. You can also prevent bugs from getting onto your herbs so that your herbs can thrive.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Garden Spray

PDF download Download Article
  1. Mince or blend two garlic bulbs in a blender. Then, combine them with 2 cups (470 ml) of water to make a fine mixture. Place the mixture in a container and let it sit for a day. Strain out the pulp and put the mixture in 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water in a spray bottle. [1]
    • For a more potent spray, add 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of hot sauce.
    • You can then spray the tops and bottoms of the leaves on your herbs to get rid of aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites.
  2. Combine 10 drops peppermint oil and 10 drops lavender oil in 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and apply it to your herbs to help get rid of fleas, flies, and gnats. This essential oils spray is also good for killing moths and spiders on your herbs. [2]
    • Neem oil is also great for killing and repelling pests in your garden. Combine 10 drops neem oil with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water in a spray bottle.
    • Look for essential oils that are high quality and safe to consume at your local health food store or online. This will ensure you are not at risk when you eat your herbs.
    Advertisement
  3. Orange oil and cedar oil are great for getting rid of ants, fleas, and ticks. Combine 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of orange oil and 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of cedar oil with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water in a spray bottle. You can then apply the spray to your herbs and to the bugs you are trying to kill. [3]
    • These essential oils work particularly well on ant colonies. Spray the ant colony daily with the oils to kill the colony and prevent it from coming back.
  4. Get soap that is made of natural products, with no anti-bacterial properties. A mild liquid soap should be fine. Combine 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of soap with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water in a spray bottle. You can then apply the spray to your herbs to get rid of aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. [4]
    • You can add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of rubbing alcohol to the spray to make it extra potent.
  5. If you’d prefer to buy an insecticide for your herb garden to kill bugs, get one that is organic and contains natural ingredients. Avoid insecticides that contain harsh chemicals, as this can negatively affect your garden and make your herbs unsafe to eat. [5]
    • Speak to a representative at your local gardening center for advice on a good brand to buy for your garden. You can also search online for the best insecticides on the market.
  6. Spray the herbs in the early morning or evening, when it is cool outside. Apply the spray to the entire plant from side to side and top to bottom, as well as the top and bottom of all the leaves. [6]
    • Apply spray again to the herbs after it rains, as the rain tends to wash away the spray.
    • If the pest does not go away after one month, you can try applying neem oil to the pest to get rid of it.
    • If the pest does not go away after two months, you may need to try a strong insecticide.
    • Spraying the plant from top to bottom with cool, clean water may be enough to remove unwanted pests. If the pests are in small numbers, then you can also remove them by hand.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Setting Bug Traps

PDF download Download Article
  1. Take a small plastic container with no lid and cut a small hole at the base, just large enough for a sow bug or slug to climb in. Fill the container with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cornmeal. Place it in your herb garden so it can catch and kill the sowbugs. [7]
    • You may need to replace the cornmeal once a day to help attract and kill the bugs.
    • You can also use Diatomaceous Earth in the trap instead of cornmeal to kill sowbugs and other crawling insects.
  2. Take a plastic card or a piece of cardboard and paint it with waterproof yellow paint. Once the paint dries, apply 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of Vaseline or non-petroleum Jelly to both sides of the cardboard. Place the cardboard just above the canopy of the herbs to attract and kill whiteflies and gnats. [8]
    • You may need to reapply the Vaseline to the cardboard regularly to ensure the trap works.
  3. If you have ants in your herbs, get rid of them by combining 1 ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of borax with 1 ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of white sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle the mixture around the ant hills and travel paths. The ants will then carry the sugary mixture back to their nest. The borax will kill the ants and prevent them from returning. [9]
    • You can get borax at your local hardware store or online.
  4. Fill a shallow plastic container or saucer with stale beer. Then, place the trap in your garden. Slugs are attracted to the yeast in beer, and will drown in the trap. [10]
    • Replace the beer in the trap regularly to ensure it attracts and kills slugs.
  5. If you’d prefer to buy traps to catch and kill bugs in your garden, head to your local gardening center or search online. Look for traps that are easy to set and clean. Most commercial bug traps will be tailored to specific bugs or pests.
    • Make sure the traps do not contain any harsh chemicals that can seep into your garden, as this can lead to other issues and make your herbs inedible.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Bugs

PDF download Download Article
  1. Beneficial bugs like ladybugs, mealybugs, and praying mantis can help to kill off pests and maintain a natural balance in your garden. These beneficial bugs will not eat your herbs either, and will make it easier for you to keep bad bugs out. You can buy beneficial bugs online or at your local gardening center.
    • Release the bugs at night, right after you have watered your garden. This will ensure they stay in your garden and eat off pests.
  2. Put out saucers with pebbles and water in your garden so ladybugs and mealybugs are drawn to your herbs. You can also put in plants with small flowers near your herb garden so these bugs are attracted to the nectar and stay close to your herbs, killing off other pests.
  3. Use clean gardening shears to trim your herbs regularly so they can grow in healthy and do not attract a lot of pests. You can also use your thumb and forefinger to pinch back any buds on your herbs that are growing out of control. This will keep your herbs healthy and pest-free.
    • Allow at least half of your herbs to flower so they attract beneficial bugs. You can then pinch or trim the other half to maintain a nice balance in your garden.
    EXPERT TIP

    Ben Barkan

    Garden & Landscape Designer
    Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
    Ben Barkan
    Garden & Landscape Designer

    Did You Know? The best way to avoid pests is to choose grow hardy, healthy plants, keep them well-watered, and fertilize the soil. If a plant is stressed, it will be more likely to be attacked by insects, but plants that are growing in a healthy environment might not need any insecticide at all.

  4. Some types of herbs will naturally keep bugs away from your herb garden. These deterrent herbs include mint, lemongrass, fennel, and basil. Add one or two of them to your herb garden to help ward off pests.
    5. Advertisement

What Are Natural Options For Weed Removal?


Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What can I use to stop bugs from eating my plants?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Some well-known options are soapy water, beer, garlic, and Pyrethrum spray.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do I get rid of potato bugs in my garden?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    First, ensure that they are actually potato bugs. Then you can get a spray bottle of water with a little dish soap mixed in and spray it on the plants. Or you can add some natural predators of the bugs into your garden.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do you get rid of Japanese beetles?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    You can easily buy a beetle killer pesticide at a garden store. Another option is to use Sevin dust, although this may kill not just the Japanese beetles, but also beneficial insects as well.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Always rinse your herbs before using them or eating them. This is especially important if you have used insecticides on your herbs to keep pests away.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      • If you are using an insecticide, then make sure to monitor exposure to yourself, as well as any children and pets. When you handle insecticides, make sure to wear protective clothing and gloves and store the sprays in a cool, dry place.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make Organic Pesticide
      How to
      Get Rid of Stink Bugs Naturally
      How to
      Kill a Tree with or without Chemicals
      How to
      Get Rid of Bamboo in Your Yard
      How to
      Remove Frogs from Your Home or Garden
      How to
      Get Rid of Ant Nests in Potted Plants
      How to
      Drive Away Gnats for Good: Easy DIY Methods
      How to
      Kill and Remove a Tree Stump Yourself
      How to
      Remove Ticks In and Around Your House
      How to
      Get Rid of Gophers
      How to
      Get Rid of Snakes
      How to
      Find & Catch Moles in Your Yard
      How to
      Get Rid of Crows
      How to
      Kill Yucca Plants
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.veggiegardener.com/threads/12-homemade-natural-remedies-for-the-vegetable-garden.1655/
      2. ↑ http://www.thehippyhomemaker.com/using-essential-oils-home-garden-kill-pests-diy-bugs-b-gone-home-garden-spray/
      3. ↑ http://www.thehippyhomemaker.com/using-essential-oils-home-garden-kill-pests-diy-bugs-b-gone-home-garden-spray/
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlkUC00s38I
      5. ↑ https://morningchores.com/best-insecticides/
      6. ↑ http://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/defend-your-garden-with-herbs?pageid=1#PageContent1
      7. ↑ https://www.veggiegardener.com/threads/12-homemade-natural-remedies-for-the-vegetable-garden.1655/
      8. ↑ https://www.veggiegardener.com/threads/12-homemade-natural-remedies-for-the-vegetable-garden.1655/
      9. ↑ https://www.veggiegardener.com/threads/12-homemade-natural-remedies-for-the-vegetable-garden.1655/
      1. ↑ https://www.veggiegardener.com/threads/12-homemade-natural-remedies-for-the-vegetable-garden.1655/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To kill bugs in your herb garden, try using peppermint and lavender oil. First, add 10 drops of each oil to a gallon of water. Once the mixture is ready, spray it onto your plants using a spray bottle to get rid of flees, flies, and moths. You can also use orange and cedar oil to get rid of ants and ticks in your garden. First, mix 1 teaspoon of orange oil, 1 teaspoon of cedar oil, and 1 gallon of water. Spray the mixture onto your plants to get rid of the pests. You can also use mild dish soap and water to kill aphids, spider mites, or whiteflies. Make a spray by adding a tablespoon of the soap to a gallon of water. For tips from our Gardening co-author on how to make a garlic spray to kill bugs, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 229,880 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Melinda Hamilton

        May 24, 2020

        "I love the solutions that involve garlic, ladybugs and gentle, natural approaches for herb garden pests."
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement