BEST way to get rid of Tomato HORNWORMS!

We found that the best way to get rid of Tomato Hornworms, also known as tomato hornworms, are voracious caterpillars that can cause significant damage to tomato and other vegetable plants. Here are some effective and environmentally friendly methods to get rid of hornworms:
#1. Handpicking: The simplest and most effective method is to physically remove the hornworms from your plants. Wear gloves and carefully search for the caterpillars, which can be quite large and green in color, often resembling the color of the plant. Once you find them, simply pick them off and dispose of them away from your garden.
Remember that it's essential to stay vigilant and monitor your plants regularly, as early detection can prevent hornworm infestations from becoming severe. By employing a combination of these methods, you can effectively control hornworm populations without resorting to harmful chemicals. Always follow the instructions on any insecticides or products you use and consider the impact on beneficial insects and the environment.======
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[@MasterHaynes86]

Get a black light flashlight and search at night. They glow right green. Super fun to look for at night. The striped caterpillar is either a monarch or a swallowtail butterfly.

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

That's what another comment said. We will definitely get a black light! Thanks for your comment.

[@Itried20takennames]

Heard a tip to check in early morning, when they are still eating the tender young at the top of the plant. As the sun comes up, they hide on the underside of leaves and stems. Or use a UV light at night.

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

Thank you for that info! Now its the deer that we are having to deal with.

[@kamalhussain5592]

They also love pepper plants.

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

That’s what we also heard. So far we haven’t seen any hornworms this year but it been very very hot and dry.

[@etcowwith-et3350]

I use hotdog tongs to remove them at night with a black light. I’ve never had them that large thank goodness.

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

That’s a great idea!! They are super big indeed. Thank you for your comments.

[@kathygill1923]

THIS is my nightmare...not a single one last year (my first garden) and then BAM! One jumbo at least 4" long and a smaller one fully parasitized. It SO grossed me out that it quickly joined it's much larger comrade in the bucket of soapy water. I'll try to relocate any future "loaded" worms but right now, I'm just concentrating on keeping my lunch down. Agents of satan, they are...🤢

[@onedazinn998]

They do get huge! lol Yep, you two need to make a date and go out at night in your garden using a black light flashlight and grab them off...get you a bucket of soapy water to dispatch them...I couldn't bring myself to give them to the chickens.

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

Love your comment!! Now it’s the flipping deer! 😭

[@christophertorak8301]

Uff! Every last one caught is a victory for you & your garden! My neighbor has a few of these on his tomatoes, and they moved on over to my Ground-cherry plants (!) The grenade-shaped poops helped tip me off. I plucked two bulging offensive invaders after they completely shorn a bunch of leaves down to the stem. Every last one is a rotter ~ best of luck wiping them out!

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

They are a pain! Now we just learned that the deer pushed into our fence and ate every tomato we had. UHG.. Thanks for your comment!

[@user-kz9xp6rk7i]

I love your country and love it. If I could come to your country once, I would feel sorry for myself.

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

We are very blessed indeed. We love living on the farm. I appreciate your thoughts and thanks for leaving a nice comment.

[@dougpope5627]

plant basil to avoid the hornworms

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

We had basil in one bed but not the bed where the hornworms showed up. Our big issue now is the deer. 🙄 Thanks for your comment!

[@michaellyczak9337]

If you find a hornworm with white, egg shaped protuberances growing along it's back, leave it be. Those protuberances are the cocoons of a wasp which lays it's eggs on the hornworm, which then hatch and eat the worm from inside (think Alien). They then cocoon on the backside while the worm slowly dies.

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

Hey Michael! Thats we heard as well. Thanks for your comment!

[@wickedcabinboy]

@@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS - I see that y'all are focused on organic gardening. Another solution is the use of a biological insecticide composed of Bacillus thuringiensis (e.g. Monterey B.t. biological insecticide) which targets caterpillars only. They eat the Bacillus which produces toxin in the gut which results in the death of the caterpillar). It is safe for humans and animals but more information can be found at the National Pesticide Information Center. This is a very helpful resource, particularly given your dedication to organic gardening. Another source is the National Institutes of Health (.gov). Good luck to you.

[@EICHist]

Time to use BT.

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

What is BT?

[@EICHist]

@@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS Bacillus thuringiensis. It's an insecticide. The worms eat it, and the bacteria messes up their digestive system. They will stop eating and die. So if you spray your leaves, they will nibble a bit, and then once ingested they will stop. I use beer traps too, but that really only works on slugs. I haven't had horn worms yet, but I did have a couple cabbage loopers on my tomato leaves. I sprayed and haven't seen additional worms or signs of hornworms yet. I am not sure how long the application stays before a respray is necessary, so I just monitor the leaves. I doubt it has much to do with my basil, because the plant is only 3 inches tall at the moment; haha.

[@petersoos498]

@@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS BT is short for Bacillus thuringiensis (kurstaki strain). It is a natural soil born bacteria that when concentrated and applied to plants has the ability to shut down the digestive tract of most caterpillars. Caterpillars have certain receptors in their stomach that the bacteria attach themselves to and cause the caterpillar to stop eating...eventually killing it. The liquid is named Thuricide and the powder Dipel. It is labelled as organic. Bees, earthworms and most other 'good' insects are safe from it's effect. It must be ingested by the caterpillar before it takes effect. Spraying a caterpillar won't kill it until it eats some.This works on cabbage worms and most all of the caterpillar garden munching varieties. Personally, I spray every other day or so for a week upon finding my first caterpillar and then once a week until my season ends. I live in a hot climate and I really have cooler things to do than play "Night Patrol" hoping to find them. I don't have much rain during my gardening season so I find the spray to be best for me. A tip, whatever you mix up should be used up and not saved as the bacteria die off. I also replace my small bottle every year. Hope this helps, Happy Gardening Everyone.

[@DeepSouthPal84]

Pulled off a bunch today ranging from fingernail lenght to 2-3 inches. Did my morning walk around and it was like a caterpillar nuke went off. Crazy

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

I think that fall is coming and they known that. The momma deer and her 2 babies broke through are netting and wiped out all of the tomatoes. Ugh.. Thanks for your comment!

[@pacjam418]

You guys are living my nightmare. I usually only get a few hornworms a year. I had been looking for them the last month. Then 4 days ago…boom. It’s the most we’ve ever had. At least your Brave husband picks em off. My husband won’t do it. We both shrill at the hornworm thought, but it’ll decimate the garden if you ignore it. I have to get a paper bag, put it over the branch, then cut the branch off, it falls in the bag. Then…well you know. Sorry for the long post, but wanted to tell you guys, your not alone. -Zone 6b Southern Mass.

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

I really appreciate your comment. It’s really amazing how they are so camouflage when I’m the tomato 🍅 plants.

[@IFIXCASTLES]

Found one today with white wasp eggs on its back. Truly disturbing!

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

We did too this morning! Crazy! Thanks for your comments.

[@SpaeDed]

dont kill that monarch caterpiller

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

We relocated them on the other side of the farm.

[@violalopez2735]

So how do we keep them away? Seven powder?

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

Hi Viola! Because are garden is organic we put nothing in the garden. Its kinda a pain but we hand pick them off. Thanks for your comment!

[@violalopez2735]

@COUNTRYLIVINGWITHDIANEANDBRIAN that's what I was thinking the person in gardening at home depot told me use that.. I want something natural

[@violalopez2735]

And she said it won't harm me eating the tomatoes..But Noooo!

[@justplinkin4809]

Captain Jacks Dead Bug Brew (SPINOSAD) works great, is organic, won’t harm good bugs.

[@danabaker596]

A little Dawn, water, and mix in cayenne pepper. Spray your plants well. Hornworms won't eat cayenne. If you're worried about hurting the plants, just try it on one and see. It works.

[@scottmurray5942]

Go outside at night with a black light you can see the hornworms no problem

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

Oh snap! You learn something everyday. Thanks for letting us know Scott!

[@michaelawest7068]

They ate all of the leaves off of my tomato plants in 1 night. Once you have them you can kiss your plants good bye!

[@COUNTRYSIDELIVINGWITHUS]

They are a pain. And now its the deer knocking over the net. Geez.