How to Keep Grasshoppers from Eating Tomato Plants

Tomatoes are a favorite food of many creatures, and grasshoppers can quickly chew through your tomato plants, leaving nothing but stems and leaves. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to protect your tomato plants from these voracious little insects.

Step 1: Create a Barrier

One of the simplest ways to keep grasshoppers away from your tomato plants is to create a physical barrier. Use garden fabric or netting to cover your plants, making sure to anchor the fabric to the ground to prevent grasshoppers from crawling underneath. Alternatively, you can surround your tomato plants with row covers or wire mesh cages to provide a physical barrier that grasshoppers cannot penetrate.

Step 2: Use Natural Repellents

Another way to keep grasshoppers away from your tomato plants is to use natural repellents. Plants like marigold, calendula, and dill are known to repel grasshoppers, so consider planting them around your tomato plants. You can also create a spray by mixing garlic, cayenne pepper, and water and spraying it on your tomato plants. Grasshoppers dislike the smell and taste of garlic and cayenne pepper, so they will avoid your plants.

Step 3: Introduce Predators

Grasshoppers have many natural predators, such as birds, spiders, and praying mantises. By introducing these predators to your garden, you can reduce the number of grasshoppers and protect your tomato plants. Attract birds to your garden by providing bird feeders and birdhouses, and plant flowers that attract spiders and praying mantises, such as yarrow and cosmos.

Step 4: Provide a Variety of Food Sources

One reason grasshoppers may be targeting your tomato plants is that they are the only available food source in your garden. By providing a variety of food sources, you can reduce the number of grasshoppers that are feeding on your tomato plants. Plant herbs like basil and oregano, which are known to repel grasshoppers, and include other vegetable plants like peppers and eggplants in your garden to give grasshoppers other options.

Step 5: Use Insecticides

If all else fails, you can use insecticides to control grasshoppers in your garden. Look for insecticides that are specifically designed to kill grasshoppers, and use them according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be aware that insecticides can also kill beneficial insects, so use them sparingly and only as a last resort.

By following these steps, you can protect your tomato plants from grasshoppers and ensure a bountiful harvest. Remember to check your plants regularly for signs of damage, and take action as soon as you notice grasshoppers feeding on your plants.