How can insects be controlled organically?
Spider mites seem to be the most troublesome on herbs. To help control them a solution of Safer soap may be applied. A homemade soap can also be applied. Mix 1 ounce of Ivory dishwashing liquid to 1 gallon of water in a hose end sprayer and spray plants in the evening. Since organic methods are usually a contact kill it is important to spray the insects when they are less active. In the early evening hours bugs usually congregate under the leaves and move slower during these cooler hours. Enough pressure must be used to whip the leaves around and contact the underside of the leaves. One plant that does not respond well to soap is rosemary, always rinse the plant off after an application of soap. Caterpillars may be controlled with a regular application of bacillus thuringensis (bt) which acts as a growth regulator. To be effective it must be applied every two weeks during caterpillar season. *A note of interest: Herbs in the carrot family such as dill, fennel and parsley are all host p
