How to Find Tomato Worms on Plants

Tomato worms, also known as tomato hornworms, are large green caterpillars that can cause significant damage to tomato plants. If left unchecked, they can devour entire plants and leave you with nothing to harvest. Fortunately, there are several ways to locate and eliminate these troublesome insects before they can do too much harm. Here's how to find tomato worms on plants.

Inspect Your Plants Regularly

The first step in finding tomato worms is to inspect your plants regularly. Set aside some time each week to take a close look at the leaves and stems of your tomato plants. Tomato worms are typically green in color, making them difficult to spot against the backdrop of green foliage. Look for any signs of damage, such as chewed leaves or stems with holes in them. Tomato worm droppings, which are small black pellets, are also a telltale sign that worms are present.

Search in the Early Morning or Late Evening

When searching for tomato worms, it's best to do so in the early morning or late evening. This is when the worms are most active and are more likely to be out in the open. Some gardeners also suggest using a flashlight to search for worms in the dark. This method can be especially helpful if you're having trouble locating the worms during the day.

Look for Their Camouflaged Bodies

As mentioned earlier, tomato worms are typically green in color, which helps to camouflage them against the green foliage of tomato plants. However, they also have a series of white or yellow stripes on their body that can help you identify them. Look for these stripes as you inspect your plants, and keep an eye out for any movement that might give away their location.

Check Under the Leaves and in the Soil

Tomato worms can be found not only on the leaves and stems of your plants, but also underneath them and in the soil. When inspecting your plants, be sure to check the undersides of the leaves and the soil around the base of the plant. Tomato worms often burrow into the soil during the day to avoid the heat, so don't forget to look there as well.

Use a Natural Repellent

If you're having trouble finding tomato worms on your plants, or if you want to prevent them from appearing altogether, you can use a natural repellent. Some gardeners suggest using a mixture of neem oil and water, which can be sprayed directly onto the plants. Others recommend planting companion plants, such as marigolds or basil, which can help to repel tomato worms.

Conclusion

Tomato worms can be a frustrating and destructive pest for gardeners. But with some diligence and careful inspection, you can find these pesky insects before they cause too much damage. Remember to inspect your plants regularly, search during the early morning or late evening, look for their camouflaged bodies, and check under the leaves and in the soil. By taking these steps, you can protect your tomato plants and enjoy a bountiful harvest.