I have been waiting and thinking how weird is was for no disease or pest to totally annihilating my garden.
I was out trimming the lower and unwanteds off my tomatoes. When I found worms have destroyed about 5 tomatoes that I can see so far. I killed a few but also found a few tom's just pecked at and left.
Sorry no pics I thought about it but I wanted them in half and I was still busy trying to get done and out of the heat.
Any ideas it was a brown somewhat striped worm about 1 - 1/2 to 2 + inches. A little guy but still messing me up. I saw a few before and killed them, and haven't thought about them again. I check the plants every day and have not see evidence like this until today.
I will be out in the morning again when it's cool to see if I find anymore, I searched and searched on my hands and knees and found no evidence of anything except the bad tom's
Sevin Dust here I come.
Just kidding I'm not that mad. As in mad enough in the head to use Sevin.
- gixxerific
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- gixxerific
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5889
- Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:42 pm
- Location: Wentzville, MO (Just West oF St. Louis) Zone 5B
- gixxerific
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5889
- Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:42 pm
- Location: Wentzville, MO (Just West oF St. Louis) Zone 5B
Dono,
The caterpillar you describe sounds like an Army Worm. Moths lay their eggs in the soil and the worms emerge in early spring into mid summer. They usually prefer my lawn over my garden. I see them ranging in color from light green to dark brown, but they always have two stripes running down the back. I never see birds eating them so they must taste pretty bad. I don't like to use it, but carboryl (Sevin) will do the job on them. Expect more to emerge from the soil after you kill the first wave. It's an ongoing continuous battle. The moths usually emerge in the deep south and ride the wind northward as springtime moves north. Their only intent is to lay eggs for the new generation.
Ted
The caterpillar you describe sounds like an Army Worm. Moths lay their eggs in the soil and the worms emerge in early spring into mid summer. They usually prefer my lawn over my garden. I see them ranging in color from light green to dark brown, but they always have two stripes running down the back. I never see birds eating them so they must taste pretty bad. I don't like to use it, but carboryl (Sevin) will do the job on them. Expect more to emerge from the soil after you kill the first wave. It's an ongoing continuous battle. The moths usually emerge in the deep south and ride the wind northward as springtime moves north. Their only intent is to lay eggs for the new generation.
Ted
- gixxerific
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Sorry that you've had bad luck with pests. So far I haven't had any problems except seeing tiny holes on very few pepper leaves.
Last season I planted peppermint because I heard it kept some pests away and it spread a lot this season, I don't know what specific pests it targets but so far so good.
Best of luck with the rest of your season!
Last season I planted peppermint because I heard it kept some pests away and it spread a lot this season, I don't know what specific pests it targets but so far so good.
Best of luck with the rest of your season!