

Biological Controlīiological control involves using natural enemies of the tomato hornworm to control its spread. The one downside to handpicking is that it has to be done regularly to be effective. You can discard the worms by feeding them to chickens or other birds around, as hornworms are high protein meal for them.

A UV lamp makes it easier to detect the worms at night. Doing so causes the caterpillar to trash, making it easier to spot. You’ll have to do the picking at night when the hornworms are active.Īlternatively, you can spray water on the plant. However, hornworms can blend in with the leaves, making it difficult to see and pick them. One of the simplest ways of controlling tomato hornworms is to handpick them. A combination of the methods can also work to greater effect. You can use handpicking or organic, chemical, and biological methods to rid your garden of hornworms. In this article, you’ll find detailed explanations for all the control methods mentioned, as well as ways to identify and prevent future infestations. Other methods include organic and chemical insecticides and biological control with beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and wasps. There are several ways to get rid of tomato hornworms, the simplest being handpicking.
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With an appetite to match their size, these green creatures can defoliate and kill a tomato plant in days if you don’t get rid of them. Tomato hornworms are perhaps the biggest caterpillars around.
