Tomato Hornworms - BEST Way to Get Rid Of Tomato Hornworms

[@julietteyork3721]

I’m a new gardener and admit to feeling a bit overwhelmed by how much I don’t know, but with good teachers like you, and God’s help, I’ll get the hang of it. I always dreamed of growing my own food, and want my kids to know the joy and self sufficiency of that lifestyle. We finally planted a small area in an unused sand box. After filling it with several large bags of organic potting mix, seeds from our favorite vegetables, and hopeful little labels, we await miracles to unfold. I’m also enjoying Nancy’s recipes. We got a delicious jar of honey for Christmas and I’m eager to find new ways to use it. Her carrot and biscuit recipes are first on my list. Best of all, my children and I like your closing prayer so much that we now say it ourselves. God bless you!

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

You can do this❤️❤️❤️

[@opencarrynewmexico7566]

How'd it turn out? 😊

[@nicolemcintosh9926]

I use a black light at night to find the horn worms..it makes them glow!

[@kele1264]

Yes! I got my black light flashlight on Amazon!

[@patriotoftruth-v1w]

Yessss! I learned that trick from Jess at Roots & Refuses! Works like a charm!

[@mattboyda5513]

The black light solution is a great one. Glad other people are suggesting it too. Makes the kids more eager to help when looking for glowing bugs.

[@pixelkitty2583]

Gotta try that

[@nicolemcintosh9926]

It definitely works great!

[@fishingaddict5638]

My wife was like "OMG!" he's holding the tomato worms! LOL She's pretty tough, but snakes and the tomato worms, she'll pass! LOL. Healthy looking chickens and great info. Thanks for sharing.

[@Itried20takennames]

I would happily hold a snake, a tarantula, and I actually like rats (they are smart, curious, like being petted,etc)….but not voluntarily picking up a horn worm. I will get them off my tomatoes, but only with the leaf coming with it.

[@treasuretreereynolds1764]

Nice blues song!😎🎸😎 Those worms scared me when I first saw them in my garden! They really stick to the plant and are strong little buggers! God Bless.🌱💜🌱

[@lsieu]

Oh I dislike Horned Tomato Worms GREATLY! Thank you, Hollis, Nancy and Bing Bing, for your organic recommendation.

[@karenandriancontainergardening]

Hi Guys. Thanks for the information and guidance for protecting our tomatoes. I love watching your chickens running around so happy, and Bing Bing in the background just wagging his tail. Thank you, and God bless you all.

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

So nice of you

[@deborahvrtis4428]

Hollis you crack me up! “This is how you dispatch a hornworm correctly” hahaha! I got a good laugh outta that one! I have had chickens for years & know how to “dispatch” grubs n such. Just never quite phrased it that way. Oh, the the obvious joy you got out of doing this little chore! Haha! GREAT! I LOVE your channel! Nancy, you’re a gem, too!

[@kele1264]

Thanks Hollis. I discovered BT last year, and it works for me. Last year was awful with pest pressure, worst I've ever seen. I'm thinking it's because the preceding winter was so "warm" here in NJ. I can't imagine what it's like in FL all year round. I never tried to grow veggies at mom's in Interlachen. She loved a veggie garden, but all that sand made it impossible. She couldn't have afforded the improvements you made, which are impressive! I can't either. Wish I had seen the gardening videos with raised beds while she was alive, I'd have made a few of those for her.

[@joew717]

it's brutal here in Florida. Yes, we can garden year round, especially in South Florida where we rarely get frost...it's getting your crops to survive the pests that's the real challenge. We don't have chickens so I just throw them against the side of the house really hard or sometimes put them on the bird feeder and let the blue jays fight over them LOL but would rather stop them from getting that big in the first place

[@myrthryn]

In the dark, a UV light will make those stripes on them glow, making them easier to see.

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Click Below for Related Tomato Playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJSagoioq9Sie5I ***After I spray I don’t feed them to the chickens. We only feed chickens the ones I hand pick off the first couple of days. Then I spray. BT affects the digestive track of the hornworm killing it. BT is supposed to be safe for plants and animals but I still don’t feed them to the chickens. I never give my chickens anything dead either.

[@1acrehomesteader43]

I let my Guineas and Ducks into the garden and they keep them in check. I tried letting the chickens in, but they're just too destructive.

[@KareMom4]

Thanks for this and your other videos. We are blessed by the scriptures and garden wisdom you both share. Any advice for fire ants? I hoped our chickens would eat them, but they don’t.

[@Pepper5655]

Jess from Roots and Refuge uses a black light at night and they glow lime green so easy to see at night with that black light. Thnx for sharing

[@abelvillarreal6488]

I've always been afraid to feed my chickens tomato worms thinking the nightshade might harm them. Looks like your chickens do just fine.

[@markcook709]

I started putting out tricogramma wasps at the beginnming of growing season. I have not even seen a tomato worm since. They are a beneficial insect. They are so small that I never see them after I put them out but I see the results. You can purchase them from amazon or several other outlets.

[@LoraCreates]

They glow if you use a black light on them. I grabbed quite a few last season. Thanks for the tip on the BT.

[@willow8094]

Those chickens are living the dream ! I cannot believe how far in advance your gardens are I am still dreaming up this year's gardens and overflowing with seedlings . This Bt is part of my first aid kit for the garden and will always be in it .

[@TheBBQKEEPER]

Thank you for the video. We had issues with the Hornworms this year. Do you have any information on getting rid of other bugs, such as Squash bugs?

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Spinosad for squash bugs

[@patriciaadams5492]

@@HollisNancysHomestead I did not get one squash to eat but the plants had plenty of flowers. Never see the varmints that destroy the plants. So frustrating to grow anything in west central Florida. I never put anything on my plants in upper NH except sevin on my tomatoes plants when I first planted them. The only thing that got eaten in the garden was me by our infamous black flies. 🥴

[@JasMediaedu]

Really superb 👌 Thumbs up dear friend ❤👍 Thanks for sharing God bless 😍 Stay connected

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Thanks a lot

[@BillyJones-mf3ev]

Have you ever tried companion planting with basil? I tried it and I had almost no hornworms. Occasionally, I'll spray the tomato plants with diluted organic neem oil that has a few drops of essential oils so maybe that helps too. Cost less than the commercial spray stuff that I don't even trust to be organic. I feel more secure in the basic organic methods. I'm growing my veggies as organically as I possibly can. Good luck everyone

[@grace2garden403]

Thank you as always Hollis and Nacy!! Brave soul holding those icky looking worms. My grandaughter thought they were cool. I collected two of them along with eggs yesterday, thought I was good for a couple of days, went out this evening and one had ravaged through another plant and was working on a second one. Where do they come from?

[@Sabbathissaturday]

A moth.

[@77mayham]

Thank you I was like where do they even come from I need moth balls now lol

[@childofgod94]

I go out real early in the mornings and pick them off too. I also watch for signs we've got them by their poop. It looks like little green blackberries. Usually wherever you see that you'll find them close by.

[@elijahensor2891]

Yep! Feeding them to the chickens and ducks is great. High protein too!

[@WhatWeDoChannel]

That BT is good stuff! The chickens loved that treat and their Dad. God bless Klaus

[@77mayham]

What is bt?

[@Ellexis]

FIRST and FOREMOST, thank you for the witness and Scripture at the end of your videos! God is the Only One worthy of being called Awesome! One question, when using the Thuricide BT, even being its organic, I guess it’s safe to say it won’t harm the chickens when they’re fed to them? Lastly, I really appreciate how you’ve set your audio up with the wireless mic! Wish so many other KZbinrs would do that. God’s best to y’all! ☝️✝️

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Blessing. I don’t do that. I will feed them the ones I hand pick off the first couple of days. Then I spray. After I spray I don’t feed them to the chickens. BT affects the digestive track of the hornworm killing it. BT is supposed to be safe for plants and animals but I still don’t feed them to the chickens. I never give my chickens anything dead either.

[@granada025]

I raised 1,500 to 2,000 tomatoes for years and always hand picked them off. they are easy to find, just look for the poop beneath the tomato plant, look above that and you will find the worm.

[@TakeUsHomeYeshua]

Thank you! Spring is almost here! Can't wait 😁

[@grinning_owl]

Thank you so much for sharing this info on the Hornworm and how to get rid of it. Last year was the first time we saw them on our plants and we had no idea what they were. I plucked them off and put them in a zip lock bag and poured Isopropyl Alcohol on them and they died. I used to work in a hospital pharmacy and kept leeches in a tank. When the operating room was finished with them, we would kill them by placing them in a small jar of alcohol. They died within a few seconds. Which makes me wonder if it can be sprayed on tomato plants. If so, would the alcohol hurt the plant?

[@mjones4421]

Thanks for the organic tip! Love your background music! It puts me in a happy mood taking me back to my childhood!

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Thecuratedstylist]

Okay, I’m not as brave as you, I definitely put on my gloves to pick these guys off. I woke up this morning with my whole plan devastated over night. Thanks for the insight - many blessings to you and yours!

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

I’m so sorry. It has happened to all of us that grow our own tomaters

[@carolemayfield9619]

Love your videos! I am learning so much from you!! Thank You!!

[@flybyairplane3528]

HOLLIS& NANCY,,I had seen those at a friends garden, way back I had a REAL SMALL GARDEN,due to sunlight,but 100 foot neighbors OAK TREES block the sun,but I could NOT keep ZUCCINI PLANTS, some insect bored into them,then plant dies God Bless, take care, CHERIO,🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@yagirllala]

Thank you so much for the information. I will use it in my garden

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

You are very welcome 👍

[@voodooloomis7467]

I spray my tobacco plants with habanero cutted in water with fogger; do you think it could work for tomato plant? its the same family plant solonacea

[@genghischuan4886]

Im spraying before they even show up this year, I lost everything over night last year and Im not doing it again, especially when I have 50 san Marzano plants coming up

[@eutimiochavez415]

What did u spray it with

[@genghischuan4886]

@@eutimiochavez415 you watched this video right?

[@eutimiochavez415]

Yes I did good information than u

[@eutimiochavez415]

Yes I did I saw what u spray it with thank u

[@genghischuan4886]

@@eutimiochavez415 If you saw the video then you answered your own question didnt you

[@thathomesteadfamily5200]

You are correct. Those things are pure evil! But oh, a treasure for the chickens. 🐛🍅🌱

[@phpicker1552]

They are also horrible on Tabacco plants. I hate them with a passion and do what you do...I inspect every morning and pick them. Luckily so far since I've moved, I haven't had any. They'll bite you good too. lol I'll look into that. Thanks for sharing.

[@garyjr6851]

Thank you for the tip. God bless.

[@lynnlovessoil]

Is there a sprayer you recommend? Thanks

[@korlimservices4180]

Thx for the Tip & Much Blessings Sir !!

[@ericataylor1708]

Thank you for sharing

[@DBlanco48]

I am getting these worms on my honeysuckle, so would this work? I do have hummingbirds eating from the honeysuckle

[@francissegundojr4229]

Do you put anything at the bottom of the large black containers because of their large drain holes? If so, what do you use?

[@magster3813]

I have a black light and drop them in a bucket and feed these guys to my chickens.🤠 I'm going to get some turicde BT Thanks so very much!

[@pmboord]

God bless you for sharing your knowledge

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

My pleasure

[@terrydycus2656]

Thanks so much for posting this recommendation! Chickens look great!

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Our pleasure!

[@GwarFluffyGoreGuts]

I used oregano oil and vinegar this year. So far so good 👍

[@chavachava6400]

Is BT organic? Is it a natural product with no toxic chemicals? Not like what they use in commercial farming? Thanks

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Organic

[@patriciahamlin7677]

Dang Hollis is this from this year? Been in my 4x8.'s I added 2 now I have 4 plus I added cattle panel. Would like to do a Wildflower section too. How often do you apply this product? Sounds like it may be good if your away for a couple of days! Cool Ending!!!

[@christinemadrazo6755]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

My pleasure!

[@terraranch1459]

Great tip! We had them last year and they destroyed our tomatoes. Hugs❤️

[@rbebut1]

Wonderful ending for the worms. Chicken's got some protean.

[@didee96]

Good

[@larrystone5749]

Good video enjoyed it thanks for sharing Be safe God Bless

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Thanks 👍

[@kikigamble4315]

Hi. Do you feed dead hornworms, killed by the BT, to your chickens or just the live ones? Do you have blacklight flashlights? I hear it makes spotting them easier at night. Peace to you and yours

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

I have never fed them any dead ones but I dont think it would hurt them. I would have to research that before I have them any

[@gabbygertie8709]

So if I spray by for the nasty hornworms will the over spray hurt my other garden plants? When the kids were in grade school I brought in a beautiful green pepper plant from the garden in a five gallon bucket. I was picking peppers the day after Thanksgiving. unfortunately I had a hitchhiker. Yup you guessed it! A hornworm ended up on that plant and was making a mess on the floor. I finally found him, he was over 6 inches long. My son took it to school for science class. It was never heard from again.

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

The hornworms will eat several different plants. Tomatoes and tobacco are their favorite. The overspray on other plants will not hurt them. Thanks for sharing the story of your son with me. Made me smile❤️

[@DudeDave]

I like the guitar picking.

[@jacquelines3685]

😲😲😲😲 Buying the Thuricide BT But I am terrified of those hornworms 🐛🐛🐛 I love Tomatoes 🍅🍅 THANKS for information!❤️☺️

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Yes ma’am. They are awful on tomatoes plants. 😡

[@Freedom2025-x2b]

Thank you again. Took the 4 I found this morning to my friend that had chickens. Now I shall spray with BT the potatoes I found them on as well as my tomatoes which they haven’t yet attacked. Whew…

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Keep ‘em sprayed👍

[@frank34450]

Get a hand held black light , if you go out at night time and shine your plants they will glow really bright and you can pick them off..

[@320homestead9]

I had no idea. Thank you!!

[@vickirickman9373]

Thank you!!!!

[@coltensmith8060]

Any suggestions on what to do with tomatoes that have been eaten on by hornworms? Some of them are good looking tomatoes, I don't like wasting them

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

I don’t eat them if the skin has been compromised

[@coltensmith8060]

@@HollisNancysHomestead Do you think I could pull the seeds for future planting? Do you think they are okay to feed to chickens?

[@TripleCreekFarmsMs]

I found out a couple years ago by accident, that if you plant basil plants every 30’ or with your tomato plants, then you will not have a single horn worm.

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Thanks for the tip👍

[@jacquelines3685]

The Country Life THANKS!! I'm planting Basil all around my plants🍅🍅🌱 and will have Thuricide BT on hand just in case!!😲

[@TripleCreekFarmsMs]

@@jacquelines3685 you are so welcome, It has always worked perfectly for me.

[@debrasfrugallife3703]

I been trying to find this but got no luck so far . I'm have to order it I think

[@gardenflower4114]

I can't stand tomato hormworms and they are scary too! I had to cover my face when you had them in your hand. I know I will have to be a tougher gardener but those monsters are terrible. They also like pepper plants.

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Yes they are!

[@64bigfish]

Nice video. When I would find them I would feed them to Merlin my adult veiled chameleon. He loved them.

[@heatherk8931]

Can you eat the tomatoes right off the plant or will it have to be washed? And, the BT spray is okay for the chicken eating the worms?

[@kylemcgee2951]

You only need to wash fruits that you’ve sprayed with something you wouldn’t want to eat, or that is visibly dirty. Bt is not toxic to birds or mammals, just worms afaik.

[@DBlanco48]

To God be the glory! I subscribed

[@lsieu]

Our chickens and ducks love to eat them, too!

[@howardbellamy6301]

Is Neem oil any good to use, or do you prefer what you are using? Thanks

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Neem oil has no effect on them

[@howardbellamy6301]

@@HollisNancysHomestead The reason why I asked is because I’ve been using name oil on my Collar greens,mustard greens and Bok choy and Neem oil has no affect, so I’m going to start using what you just advertised. Thanks

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

The BT will stop any caterpillars in their tracks

[@anniegaddis5240]

LOL, my grand dad used to put them in a steel coffee can, add a squirt of lighter fluid, then light er up!

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Oh yes, they taste much better cooked 😂😂😂

[@anniegaddis5240]

@@HollisNancysHomestead Hahaha!

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

@@HollisNancysHomestead LOLOLOL😃😃😃

[@donellaware6858]

Man he had a hate for them

[@NatureLover-ss4ef]

Hi! great video. The other pests that I am having a serious problem with is aphids. Do you have any tips on how to get rid of them please. Thank you .

[@OBEECHI1]

Ladybug 🐞!

[@NatureLover-ss4ef]

@@OBEECHI1 Hi I tried that already. I bought a bunch of them at Lowes, released them into the garden but aphids are still there. This morning I found them on my seedlings. I was so dishearted :(

[@leerocks3859]

ty, had them last year and was not going to grow tomatoes this year. thx for the info. on my was to get a bottle now 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼♥

[@dianeweeks352]

I plant borage next to my tomatoes and they leave them alone.

[@leerocks3859]

@@dianeweeks352 ty

[@BirdLadySpeaks]

BT is the best. 💛💛💛💛

[@DLIX2DCLI]

I came here after seeing a contestant on Fear Factor eat multiple of these horned worms and I wanted to see how I could gather some to eat as well. Times are hard now and any food source is food in my belly...😁😁😁

[@flyhead5972]

I laughed out loud at your “that’s how you dispatch a horned tomato worm” closing. A military term for sure. 🇺🇸

[@RodeoCowgirl-55]

I caught my first tomato horn worm yesterday when I notice leaves been eaten. Going for BT spray later this evening or early morning. Is it best in early morning or late evening. Help me.

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

They feed mostly at night. Just get the BT on the plants ASAP. They will ingest it and die.

[@MrSandcrab1945]

Nice chickens!🙂

[@teresathomley3703]

Is that you playing the guitar, Mr. Hollis?

[@iguesi]

The dreaded Carolina Sphinx Moth... aka the the Horned Tomato Worm. They blend in so well, the are hard to spot.

[@laurafrey5244]

Soooo - Is it safe to feed the worms to your chickens, after using this spray?

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

I don’t do that. I will feed them the ones I hand pick off the first couple of days. Then I spray. After I spray I don’t feed them to the chickens. BT affects the digestive track of the hornworm killing it. BT is supposed to be safe for plants and animals but I still don’t feed them to the chickens. I never give my chickens anything dead either.

[@johnbrzenksforearm8295]

I go out at night with a headlamp or flashlight and spot light them and then offer them to the birds. I put a bit of soapy water in a battery powered wet/dry vacuum to get squash bugs.

[@lynnboutwell3420]

What about corn worms on tomatoes. What can I use organic on them.

[@dannybickerdike6121]

My dad would kinda look forward to finding a few hornworms on his tomato’s He’d collect up a few spray for the rest, then go catfishing.

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

👍👍👍

[@carriekimble2994]

So...are you feeding the worms that have been exposed to the spray to your chickens?

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

No,

[@mariansmith7694]

Thank you SO MUCH! 😊

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

You are so welcome!

[@Gio-un4wh]

Hollis question for you is it safe to give the horn worms to the chickens 🐔 if I find them died on the floor from eatting the thuricide ???

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

I don’t do that. I will feed them the ones I hand pick off the first couple of days. Then I spray. After I spray I don’t feed them to the chickens. BT affects the digestive track of the hornworm killing it. BT is supposed to be safe for plants and animals but I still don’t feed them to the chickens. I never give my chickens anything dead either.

[@Gio-un4wh]

Ok thanks for clearing that up 👍👍

[@rhondamoffit6490]

Oooh weee, I’m so glad I haven’t seen that yet 😩😩😩

[@michelebushnik2874]

❤ getter done!

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

Already researching finding that exact product. Seems there's a bunch of different manufactures. Do you think the BT might also slow down Japanese Beetles also? If not, any suggestions anyone on what might? TYFS Guys, Mark and Rosa

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

I use BT from Thuricide simply because that is what I have always used. Don’t know if it is the cheapest or not. BT if for control of caterpillars and does nothing for Japanese Beatles. Neem Oil is recommended for them but I have never had any success with it. I just had to ride them out. They last about 45 days when they swarm

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

@@HollisNancysHomestead I'm not too concerned about cheapest, after all, We have 4-5 years of "room and board" to recoup. 😉

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

👍

[@mresmith4302]

This is the sound of a man that has had his heart broken when coming out and seeing the devastation of his plants.

[@renitameares3838]

Are the worms toxic to the chickens once they have come in contact with the Thuricide?

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

I don’t do that. I will feed them the ones I hand pick off the first couple of days. Then I spray. After I spray I don’t feed them to the chickens. BT affects the digestive track of the hornworm killing it. BT is supposed to be safe for plants and animals but I still don’t feed them to the chickens. I never give my chickens anything dead either.

[@MaineOutdoorsChannel]

one brave man holding those hornworms

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

💪

[@MichaelPaulHenderson]

These are actually Tobacco Hornworms. Black margins on white stripes and red horns. Tomato Hornworms will have green margins on white stripes and a blue horn. Good call on BT, it is a tomato-saver for sure!

[@bobkd5fjd823]

Wow that’s overnight? WOW!!!

[@gabbysgoods827]

I’ve seen them a few times on my tomato 🍅 plants 🌱. Those things are nasty 🤢!!!! Hornworms. They just show up from the ground? It’s weird how they just show up. Those chickens love them lol 😂 That’s a good place to get rit of them for the chickens !!! Why is it they are their sometimes and than not sometimes ?

[@jackiegammon6854]

I just learned a bit ago, that hornworms will glow in the dark if you use a black-light flashlight bulb and look for them after dark. EASY as pie to spot them!

[@terrycarter405]

If you can't find them take a black light! They light up like a Christmas tree! It works like a charm!

[@mousiebrown1747]

I cannot look at large wormy things, or earthworms, without feeling terrified! I got scared with a millipede as a child-- that’s all it took! Guess I better get my thuricide ASAP!

[@midgamarine]

Hollis, what ever happened to part 4 of the 4 part series on raising chickens. I can see that you have reduced the rooster population, but how many were there?