Home gardeners frequently encounter challenges with pests and diseases. Tomato growers, in particular, must navigate a wide variety of susceptibility to both.
Effective pest control is essential in tomato gardening as pests can harm plants and spread diseases.
These 10 tomato pests are commonly found and can cause significant damage to tomato plants.
- Aphids
The aphid is a common tomato pest that can cause significant damage. These insects have various colors and affect many plants, including tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants.
These insects can be found on new stems and the underside of young leaves. They extract sap and leave a sticky residue that can attract other insects.
Small infestations of this type of pest do not pose a significant threat, but if left untreated, they can cause a decrease in plant yield and potentially lead to the death of the plant. It is considered particularly destructive in temperate climates.
We have written a comprehensive article about removing aphids, which can be quickly done.
Minor bugs can be killed by wiping or picking them off with your fingers. Another option is to use a water spray bottle to blast them off the tomato plant without causing damage. A natural soap mixture applied with a spray bottle can also suffocate the bugs, which is a common remedy.
In situations of heightened severity, it may be necessary to prune or pinch affected plant components.
To avoid aphid infestations, it is recommended to plant trap crops like nasturtiums to divert them from tomatoes and select plants that attract predator insects like ladybugs and hoverflies.
- Cutworms
Cutworms can cause significant damage to tomato plants. These caterpillars are typically grey or brown with black or yellow spots, measuring around two inches long.
Caterpillars work secretly at night, creating big holes in your tomato plants. They don’t just harm the fruit but also attack seedlings and stems, causing plants to collapse eventually. Cutworm activity is usually hidden under the soil or plant debris during the day.
Tilling the soil regularly and removing plant debris before planting tomatoes is recommended to prevent cutworms. Collars around the stem base can also deter the worms. If a cutworm is spotted, it can be removed by hand.
- Flea beetles
Flea beetles are small dark brown or black beetles that resemble fleas and may have white or yellow stripes. They measure only one-tenth of an inch when fully grown. Germinating seeds are particularly susceptible to flea beetles, which can transmit various bacterial and viral diseases that can harm plants.
To prevent cutworms, it is recommended to rotate crops, clear any debris, and till the soil.
One method for managing infestations is to apply diatomaceous earth to plants. This substance can effectively prevent and control various pest infestations on tomato plants and other plants in domestic gardens.
Effective methods for preventing flea beetles from infesting soil and foliage include using row covers and yellow sticky traps to catch adult beetles.
- Root-Knot Nematodes
Nematodes are a diverse species, some of which have beneficial uses such as controlling pests. However, root-knot nematodes are considered harmful.
Root-knot nematodes are a type of worm that can lead plants to wilt, yellow foliage, and stunting. They are named for the swelling and knob-like growths they cause on tomato roots. These nematodes are frequently found in warm regions with brief winters.
Controlling these pests can be difficult as they tend to attach themselves to garden tools and boots. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize good gardening hygiene.
Crop rotation and soil tilling are necessary to prevent nematodes from establishing themselves in the soil over several seasons.
Tomatoes resistant to nematodes are a natural preventative option identified by an “N” beside their name.
- Blister Beetles
Blister beetles are known for consuming tomato foliage and can completely defoliate plants if not controlled. They also release cantharidin, a blistering agent, when crushed or injured.
Blistering beetles can be found in black, red, or grey with stripes. They are frequently found in the Midwest and the eastern and southern regions of the US.
Effective methods for managing this pest include manual removal by hand while wearing gloves and promptly eliminating affected plants. Place the beetles into a receptacle with soapy water during removal to prevent their flight.
To protect tomato plants from blister beetles, use row covers that are securely anchored if they are a problem in your area.
- Hornworm
The hornworm is a harmful caterpillar species. They can grow up to three inches long and blend in with plant foliage due to their light green color. This makes them difficult to spot and eliminate. Tomato hornworms have a straight black horn, making them easy to identify once spotted.
These insects can strip an entire plant of its leaves and may occasionally target tomato fruits. Additionally, they lay their eggs on the undersides of the leaves.
Removing them manually is the most convenient option due to their size.
Hornworms are usually found on the underside of leaves. Check all your tomato plants and surrounding susceptible plants for these giant worms. Remove them from your crops and relocate them far away. Watch out for future infestations in case you missed any.
- Slugs and Snails
Garden critters like slugs and snails can be found commonly. However, their eating habits can cause severe damage to tomato plants. They leave behind holes in foliage, fruit, and a slimy trail. These critters prefer moist environments and are active at night, making them hard to detect.
Effective methods for preventing damage to tomato plants by slugs and snails include manual removal, adjusting watering habits, and utilizing a beer trap, as population control is essential.
To eliminate slugs in your garden, you can set up a beer trap by placing a dish or bucket filled with beer at ground level near the plants. The slugs will be attracted to the beer and drown once they enter. Watering the plants in the morning is recommended to allow the soil and leaves to dry by the evening.
- Spider Mites
Spider mites are a prevalent pest in different climates, particularly in hot and dry weather. They tend to congregate in large numbers and settle on the underside of leaves. The delicate webbing around leaves and stems is a sign of their infestation.
Yellowing or reddish leaves are a common symptom of spider mites, which extract sap from the plant and can lead to defoliation as affected leaves drop off.
Spider mites are tough to kill with insect sprays and are hard to control due to their large numbers. To manage them, it’s vital to maintain their environment by watering correctly and introducing beneficial pests. Oil-based sprays work well for more minor infestations.
If the webbing around the tomato plant persists and its condition worsens, it may be necessary to eliminate the plant to prevent further contamination.
- Tomato Fruit Worms
Tomato fruit worms, or corn earworms, are classified as highly destructive tomato pests due to their ability to attack various crops, including tomatoes, peppers, corn, and tobacco.
These worms consume both tomato leaves and flesh, resulting in deformed leaves. Their larvae penetrate the fruit’s stalks and fruits, making detecting and eliminating without harming the plant quite challenging.
Tomato fruit worms are moths when they are adults. The larvae of these worms are two inches long and greyish-yellow. They are laid in white eggs on the lower sides of smaller leaves near the fruits. After hatching, the larvae will burrow into nearby fruit.
Pick off the worms or eggs immediately to get rid of tomato fruit worms. You can introduce natural predators like certain wasp species and minute pirate bugs. Don’t plant tomatoes close to corn; remove any infested fruit altogether.
- Whitefly
Whiteflies are like aphids, affecting tomatoes grown indoors or in greenhouses. They suck sap from the plant, which affects its growth. Leaves turn yellow, and yields decrease as a result.
The prevention and control of whitefly infestations is crucial due to the potential spread of diseases. Natural predators like ladybugs can help decrease whitefly populations, while horticultural oil effectively suffocates whiteflies at any point in their life cycle.
One important aspect of pest management is that prevention is more effective than dealing with an infestation.
Proper soil tilling, crop rotation, appropriate watering, plant maintenance, and pest monitoring are effective methods for pest prevention. Additionally, these practices also safeguard against disease.