Howdy!

I just found big green caterpillars on my tomato plants.
Horn worms? I think that's what they're called.
My plant is pretty bushy and I've only seen 4, but I can't imagine that being the end of them.
They're super tricky to spot since they're obviously camouflaged into the plant and there's so much foliage.

Does anyone know a good way to be rid of them other than picking them off?
I'm not squeamish, I just can't see them all!

Help!
Thanks so much!
Sue

Hi! Just a few plants or several long rows?
Try spraying them with weak solution of garlic water.

Here's a recipe:

Crush one head garlic. Pour 1 cup boiling water over it; steep one hour. Strain garlic out, add 2 pints cold water. Spray on plants (try to avoid blossoms and fruit). Refrigerate any leftover spray.

You can also add a few drops of liquid detergent, or use onions or cayenne peppers instead of or along with the garlic.

And a Howdy! Back, mrstedplank

This one has a table near the bottom listing possible corrective measures:
Tomato Hornworms in Home Gardens (http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/M1224.html)

Here's a list for Tomato Hornworm Control:
http://vegipm.tamu.edu/results_keyword.cfm

FieldGuide, same site:
Tomato hornworm (http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg308.html)

There's also another pest of toms:
beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hbner) (http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/beet_armyworm.htm)

YHL's recipe sounds intriguing also.

K

Heres a list for Tomato Hornworm Control:
http://vegipm.tamu.edu/results_keyword.cfm
k
I went to double check the Quoted link and it was bad.

Let's try this one:
Tobacco Hornworm and Tomato Hornworm (http://vegipm.tamu.edu/chewing4/tomatohornworm.html)
Then at the bottom click on "Search the vegipm control database"

And Thank You Feller's for the rate.

I just found the first one on mine:eek:, I check everyday and it had already ate part of my tomato, but it wasn't a hornworm. Big but more like a caterpillar.
Sometimes, OK all the times, I can not see them,I'm a little blind and they are green! If you spray the plant wdith water they wiggle and you can find them to pick off, if you want to go that way.