What sort of systemic did you use? Some are virtually harmless....others I'd be more concerned about.

If they are only seedlings now, they will probably outgrow the effect of the systemic before they are ready to be eaten. The sage certainly will as that develops into an evergreen shrublet that will live for years.

One other thing is that systemic pesticides can be absorbed into the body through the skin or by inhalation. So I'd guess that by spraying the stuff, you've already ingested more than you'll ever get by eating a small amount of some herbs. If you don't like systemic pesticides, then just stay away from them entirely.

Oops! I completely forgot to mention that! Apologies! I used this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_nKSECb38PYX85

It looks like the active ingredient is Imidacloprid.

Replace the plants and soil and be done with it - the financial outlay for the involved materials is hardly worth taking the chance. And I can't think of any other reason to hang on to them, after they have been contaminated.

It's a bit premature to just dump everything without knowing what was used!! There ARE systemics that can be safely used on edibles. Most are used as a soil drench so even spraying is unlikely to be a factor........

And I wouldn't consider the salvia to be at risk at all.

While you're at it, why don't you bulldoze your whole yard, and truck the soil off to a superfund site. If you've been using that pesticide, the stuff is all around you. The MSDS applies to the specific substance that was used. It may say, no big deal. It may say, caution is in order. But many people consider the words "systemic pesticide" to be intrinsically poisonous because they're unwilling to think about whether the specific substance is. Spinosad has systemic properties, and it's even organic.

I'm intrigued by how this accident happened. Basil and sage seedlings don't usually require any kind of applications. What's the story behind it?

Fwiw, I'd chuck them out. I'd rather not have anything in or on my food if it can be avoided. That's one of the reasons to grow your own. Basil comes up like mustard and cress and sage is easy too. You'll have new seedlings in a couple of weeks.

Always important to read labels before spraying anything. Without letting us know what you actually used there is no way for us to know if it'll be fine or not. If the pesticide isn't meant to be used on herbs to begin with then I would toss them and start over. And I too am curious why you used pesticides on herb seedlings...

Rodney

Agree with Rodney. The words "systemic pesticide" do NOT imply poison. It is reckless to presume that they do. Sort of like the word "chemical", which some people fear mightily. I remind them that H2O is a chemical and, if I had room, I would quote the chemical acronym for a nutritious protein or amino acid, which would really freak some people out.

While it is true we do not know for sure unless and until the substance used is identified in the meantime the implication of the wording used in the original question is that the poster thinks they have used something that is unsuitable. Such as Metasystox.

"Such as Metasystox."

An organophosphate pesticide that is no longer registered for use in the US.

The implication of the wording used in the original question is that the poster thinks that all systemic pesticides are poisons.