Controlling Hornworms on Tomatoes
This time of year tomato leaves and stems start disappearing mysteriously. This disappearance can often be traced to the tomato hornworm.
Hornworms can cause massive damage to your tomato crop in a short time. They’re called “hornworms” because of the “horn” sticking up on their rear end. They not only chew the leaves and stems of your tomato plants, but they will also bite large wholes in the tomatoes themselves.
The best method for controlling hornworms is to hand pick them off, and step on them. Their “horn” is not really dangerous. If you’re squeamish about grabbing the worms, just pluck off the leaf or stem that they’re on and squash them underfoot.
You can also use a natural insecticide if your hornworm population is out of control.
Parasitic wasps are a natural enemy to hornworms. If you see a hornworm covered in white dots that look like eggs, you may want to leave them alone. The white spots are parasitic wasp cocoons, and the hatchlings will destroy the hornworm, and all its friends.
Image via Stock.xchng
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POSTED IN: Garden Pests
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