Tomato Hornworms are attacking!!!

PunkRotten · Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:27 pm

Hi,

I was out in the garden yesterday when I spotted a 3 inch or so green caterpillar blending in very well on one of my tomato plants. Today out in the garden I find about 11-12 more, 1 was on my bell pepper plant.

I figured out a way to spot them better, I notice a small branch that is stripped of leaves and know that a hornworm was there or is still around. They are kinda hard to pick off, I just cut the hold stem off with them attached, then move them to a dirt area of my backyard and cut them in half with the shovel. Then I leave them for the birds.

I got 8 tomato plants and this is the first time dealing with these things. I am going to diligently look for them the next couple days. Can anyone give me some tips to control and get rid of them for good? I am kind of scared they are gonna destroy my garden. How can attract wasps to help kill them? Thanks

gixxerific · Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:45 pm

https://www.farmerfred.com/plants_that_attract_benefi.html

There is a link to some plants there are quite a few. But I find when the hornworm shows up they are soon to follow. I have never had a major problem with them on my tomatoes. They do some damage but my plants are too big the really be hurt by them. However my first time seeing them was a few years back when I noticed an entire jalapeno plant decimated. I lost all my peppers.

Good luck.

Oh yeah I just cut them in half right there on the plant now. It's all fertilizer in the end.

applestar · Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:58 pm

If you are finding that many, you should be seeing some with braconid wasp cocoons attached. Don't kill those.

PunkRotten · Wed Jul 06, 2011 7:04 pm

I found 2 more after posting this. And this morning found 5 more. One was HUGE. I think I got most of them. I think the thing with me is I caught them early. They have not done much damage. A few stems here and there missing leaves and that's all. I still think there is some still around though.

I have not seen any with the Wasp cocoons on them yet.

PunkRotten · Wed Jul 06, 2011 7:10 pm

gixxerific wrote:https://www.farmerfred.com/plants_that_attract_benefi.html

There is a link to some plants there are quite a few. But I find when the hornworm shows up they are soon to follow. I have never had a major problem with them on my tomatoes. They do some damage but my plants are too big the really be hurt by them. However my first time seeing them was a few years back when I noticed an entire jalapeno plant decimated. I lost all my peppers.

Good luck.

Oh yeah I just cut them in half right there on the plant now. It's all fertilizer in the end.

According to the list Fennel, coriander, dill, and parsley are good ones. I have some Dill growing now. maybe I will move it toward the middle of my garden.