Thinking of growing tomatoes next year? You’re in good company! Tomatoes are a popular choice for home gardeners—they’re easy to grow, and their fresh, vibrant flavor is unbeatable.
There are various types of tomatoes to suit your preferences. You can go for beefsteak varieties for slicing, saucing types like Romas and San Marzanos, or sweet cherry tomatoes that you can pluck right off the vine.
Regardless of the tomato variety, the pests to watch out for are pretty consistent. Let’s explore different tomato pests that share our love for tomatoes and figure out how to keep them away from our precious plants.
15 Common Tomato Pests
Aphids
Aphids can cause trouble for any gardener. These little sap-sucking insects seem to show up in every garden every year. If not addressed early, they can be quite destructive. You’ll often find them on the stems and leaves of your tomato plants, especially near the growing tips. Aphids can move between different plant species, so an infestation in one area can easily spread to others nearby.
While Neem oil, insecticidal soaps, and horticultural oils can be used against aphids, a powerful stream of water from the hose is a simple and effective tool. Spraying aphids off leaves makes it hard for them to find their way back. Always check the undersides of leaves, as aphids like to hide there.
Companion planting is another effective strategy to keep aphids away. They are attracted to mustard and nasturtium, which act as ‘trap plants.’ Planting pollinator-friendly flowers and herbs near your tomatoes can attract ladybugs and parasitic wasps that love to eat aphids.
Potato Aphid
Potato aphids, the largest of the aphid family, specifically target tomato and potato plants. Found throughout the United States, they are particularly problematic in the mid-Atlantic and northeast regions. Distinguished by their size and color, potato aphids can be green or pale pink.
These active pests attack young leaves, especially the growing tip, causing them to curl downwards. They also target blossoms, leading to blossom drops or fruit deformities. Eliminate potato aphids by using hard sprays of water to dislodge them. However, some potato aphids have wings and may return to the plant. The best control method involves predatory insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps.
Hornworm
Hornworms are highly destructive caterpillars commonly found in North America and Australia. These caterpillars, from the five-spotted hawkmoth, can quickly eat an entire tomato plant. They are well camouflaged against leaves and stems, making them hard to spot when small.
If you notice branches with no leaves, it’s a sign of hornworms. The best way to get rid of them is to pick them off by hand. Wear gloves if you find them gross. Hornworms wiggle and attach themselves strongly to the stem. If you have chickens, they love eating hornworms. Alternatively, squish them or put them in soapy water.
Plants like dill, basil, and marigolds may help repel hornworms, but it’s wise to search for them just in case.
Cutworms
Cutworms are caterpillars of moths that live in the soil. They are usually brown or gray with black or yellow spots. If they find their way to your young tomato plants, they can destroy them overnight.
Unlike hornworms, cutworms are sneaky. They work at night and hide below soil or debris during the day. The main damage comes from attacking the stems, causing the plant to collapse and die.
To prevent cutworms, check the soil before planting tomato seedlings. If you find one, there are likely more hiding. After planting, create a barrier around the stem using a collar made of cardboard or aluminum foil. This stops the worms from climbing over. If cutworms persist, sprinkle cornmeal around the plant’s base, which can kill them when eaten. As soon as you spot a cutworm, pick it off and place it in soapy water.
Tomato Fruit Worms
Tomato fruit worms, also known as corn earworms, are among the most harmful tomato pests. These versatile pests not only target tomatoes but also peppers and corn, easily switching between different plant types. The adult tomato fruit worm is an inconspicuous moth that lays white eggs on the underside of smaller leaves near the fruit. Once hatched, the larvae burrow into the fruit and later move on to feed on leaves.
Spotting the larvae is challenging, so it’s advisable to handpick the eggs or worms as soon as you notice them. Introducing natural predators, such as pirate bugs and certain wasp species, can provide an effective and environmentally friendly solution. Remember to dispose of all infested fruit promptly.
Blister Beetles
Blister beetles are tomato pests that have a liking for tomato plants. While they may not strip your plant overnight like some other pests, they can cause significant damage if left unchecked. However, these bugs are more infamous for the harm they can cause to humans when crushed—they release a blistering agent called cantharidin. Ensure you wear gloves if you spot these black beetles with bright orange heads on your tomatoes.
Blister beetles are found throughout North America, with the most common sightings in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern regions of the US. If you’re dealing with a large population, using anchored row covers in your garden can be helpful. For a few beetles, pick them off with gloved hands and place them in a jar of soapy water. Birds are natural predators and can help control a significant population.
Colorado Potato Beetle
The Colorado potato beetle is a widespread pest that targets tomatoes and other nightshade family vegetables like peppers and eggplants. They may resemble odd-looking ladybugs at first glance, but their distinctive shell with 10 alternating yellow and black stripes sets them apart.
The larvae of Colorado potato beetles are the most damaging, eating the leaves in a unique way, leaving only the veins and petioles behind. If you notice this type of leaf damage, look for the adult beetles. Remove them by hand and place them in a jar of soapy water. Even if your tomato plant loses 30-50% of its leaves, it can recover if the problem is caught early.
Colorado potato beetles overwinter in the soil, so avoid growing tomatoes or other nightshades in infested soil the following year. Potatoes can act as trap plants for beetles, and natural predators like birds, ladybugs, and lacewings can help keep their population in check.
Flea Beetles
Flea beetles won’t kill your tomatoes, but they can make the plant less healthy. These tiny, jet-black beetles are only 1/10″ in size and can jump surprisingly far. In my garden, they are most attracted to young eggplant transplants, so I keep my tomatoes away from them.
To control an infestation, dust diatomaceous earth on your plant and the surrounding soil. Be cautious, as it can harm pollinators. Alternatively, use sticky traps to capture jumping adults. Basil and nasturtiums, when planted with tomatoes, may help repel these beetles.
Leafhoppers
Leafhoppers can be troublesome for various vegetables, including tomatoes. These insects, regardless of the species, harm plants by feeding on their juices. Like many tomato pests, leafhoppers suck the sap from leaves and stems, causing the foliage to curl. The bigger issue is that they transmit pathogens that lead to devastating diseases spreading quickly from plant to plant.
To eliminate leafhoppers, use a strong stream of water, similar to dealing with aphids. For larger infestations, consider using a row cover to protect your plants. Attracting birds and other predatory insects can also help control leafhopper populations.
Leaf Miners
Leaf miners are common insects that pose a threat to tomato plants. These small flies, with a distinct bright yellow dot on their back, can cause significant damage to tomato crops. While adults feed on leaves, the real harm comes from the larvae.
Female leaf miners lay eggs beneath the leaf’s surface, and when the larvae hatch, they eat their way through the inside of the leaf. This disrupts the plant’s ability to conduct photosynthesis and can lead to the plant’s death if the infestation spreads.
Identifying leaf miners is relatively easy, as the larvae leave distinctive white trails on the leaves. When you spot a leaf with this pattern, remove it immediately and check for further signs of infestation. Introducing natural predators like parasitic wasps and maintaining a weed-free garden can help control leaf miners.
Whitefly
Whiteflies, resembling tiny insects similar to aphids, predominantly affect tomatoes grown indoors or in greenhouses. Like aphids, they extract sap from the leaves and stems, compromising plant health and reducing yield.
Controlling whitefly populations follows methods similar to those used to deal with aphids. Introduce natural predators like ladybugs and use water to spray the undersides of leaves, removing whiteflies. In cases of significant infestation, horticultural oil can be applied to suffocate whiteflies at any stage of their life cycle.
Psyllids
Psyllids are tiny, migrating insects that spend winters in warm climates. Unlike many tomato pests, you don’t need to worry about new infestations coming from existing soil. Resembling aphid-sized cicadas, their small size makes them challenging to spot. However, they leave distinctive wax-covered pellets known as psyllid sugar. These collect on leaves, serving as a useful detection method when the plants aren’t disturbed by winds.
Damage from psyllids is caused by their saliva, resulting in symptoms described as ‘psyllid yellows,’ where the leaves are yellow. To combat psyllids without pesticides, enlist predatory insects like spiders, damsel bugs, and minute pirate bugs. Sticky paper can help catch adult psyllids, but it won’t be as effective against nymphs already on the plant.
RootKnot Nematodes
RootKnot Nematodes negatively impact nearly every crop worldwide and can become serious tomato pests in home gardens. These tiny worms cause lumpy swelling on roots, leading to yellow foliage, wilting, and poor plant growth. Nematodes attack the root structure, stealing nutrients meant for leaves, flowers, and fruits. Easily spread, they can enter your soil through garden tools, boots, or gloves.
The key to treating an infestation is total sanitation. Sterilize tools, wash gloves and boots, and clean contaminated pots with a bleach solution. Remove and dispose of affected soil and plants, avoiding composting to prevent further spread. Planting marigolds profusely or choosing nematode-resistant tomato varieties can also help control infestations.
Slugs & Snails
Slugs and snails, although normal in a healthy ecosystem, can cause significant damage to gardens, especially tomato plants, if their populations get out of control. To control their numbers, invite natural predators like birds, frogs, lizards, and small mammals. If needed, manually pick them off or try a beer trap for a temporary solution.
For a beer trap, fill a dish or shallow tray with beer at soil level around your plants. Slugs and snails will be attracted to it and drown once submerged.
Spider Mites
Spider mites, common in various climates but favoring hot and dry conditions, infest in large groups, settling on the undersides of leaves. Recognize them by the delicate webbing around leaves and stems. Although resistant to many insect sprays, spider mites dislike cold water. Keep a spray bottle in the refrigerator and mist the leaves with cold water once or twice a day until the mites are gone. Additionally, prevent spider mites by companion planting aromatic herbs like garlic, chives, or chamomile near your tomatoes.
Final Thoughts
Among the many tomato pests, there are plenty of ways to keep them away. Throughout this list, the key idea is to invite helpful insects into your garden to tackle these pests.
Before you start planting, learn about the plants and flowers that attract these beneficial insects in your area. Once you’ve got that knowledge, go ahead and plant them! Trust me, fostering a diverse ecosystem in your garden will make your growing season a lot more pleasant.
