The best way to treat pest problems is to use organic methods. One way is to introduce beneficial insects to the garden, and it is important to catch the problem early.
Here is a list of some problem pests to look for on tomato plants. If you decide to use a chemical treatment, make sure it is safe to use on food producing plants and always wash the fruit thoroughly before eating. Read and follow all label directions.
Cutworms
Cutworms are small, gray, brown, or black in color. When they are disturbed, they will curl up in a tight ball. They are 1 to 1.5 inches long. There are a few signs to look for to determine if your plants have cutworms. If you find a plant that is cut off at ground level, this is a good indication that you have a cutworm problem. During the day, cutworms hide or live in the soil. You need to go outside during the night hours to find them. You can easily pick them off the plant during that time. If you do this at night, but be careful so you don’t step on the other garden plants.
Safeguard your plants when you plant them. Make a newspaper collar and put this around the stem of the tomato plant. The newspaper collar should be 1 inch below the soil and 1 inch above the soil line. As the season progresses, the newspaper will decompose in to the soil.
Flea Beatles
Do you notice tiny brown or black bugs that jump, or holes in the leaves? This indicates flea beetles. Control flea beetles by dusting the plants with Sevin.
Blister Beetle or Potato Beetle
The blister beetle is big with stripes on the top part of their body where their wings are located. Remove these beetles by picking them off by hand. Drop the beetles in a bucket of soapy water, kerosene, or diesel. If the thought of handling the bugs with your fingers grosses you out, dust the plants with Sevin or an all-purpose dust or spray. Read the label to make sure that it is safe for tomato plants and use as directed.
Aphids
Aphids are tiny bugs that feed on the sap of the plants. This weakens the plants so that they become susceptible to disease. Usually a blast of water from the hose will dislodge the aphids off the plants. They fall on the soil where they will die. You can also introduce ladybugs in the garden. If you opt to use a chemical to control this problem, Malathion may be used.
Hornworms
If you see a big green worm with horns, this is the hornworm. The will attack leaves and fruit of the tomato plants and can do much damage in a short amount of time. Gardeners generally find these pests when it is close to harvest time. For these worms, you will need to pick them off by hand. Drop them in a bucket of soapy water, kerosene, or diesel. You can use Sevin, but you have to wait at least one day before you can pick the fruit. Another product you can use is Dipel. With this spray, the fruit can be harvested the same day. If you treat the tomatoes with a pesticide, wash the fruit thoroughly before eating.
Tomato Fruitworm
If you notice holes in your tomatoes, you may have a tomato fruitworm problem. Control this pest by dusting the plants with Sevin at the first signs of this worm.
Knowing what to look for is the first step. Then you can effectively take care of the problem pest. What are your best ways for bug control?
