Tomato bugs are a common problem for tomato gardeners. There are many ways to deal with these pests, including using pesticides. However, it is important to understand the risks associated with using pesticides before you decide whether or not to use them.
Tomatoes are a delicate, juicy fruit that thrives in the summer months and is native to North America. These attributes, however, are also the cause of tomato plants being attractive to insect pests. In warm weather, insects thrive, and their numbers frequently arise throughout the growing season of your tomato plants.
If you have an infestation in your garden that is out of control, insecticides may be the best option for you.
In this post, we’ll show you how to choose the finest insect spray or insecticide for your tomato plants. We’ll also give you some pointers on how to use pesticides so that you don’t harm either the beneficial insects or the pollinating ones.
We’re an affiliate
We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Thank you if you use our links, we really appreciate it!
Table of Contents
Aphids (Greenfly/Blackfly)
Aphids are tiny, sap-sucking insects that can cause extensive damage to tomato leaves. They are often seen clustered on the underside of leaves, where they suck the juice from the plant. This can cause leaves to wilt, turn yellow, and fall off. Aphids can also spread diseases from plant to plant. We wrote an article about how to get rid of greenfly on roses if you struggling with pests moving from tomato plants to your roses.
Colorado Potato Beetle
The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is a major tomato pest in the United States. It is a yellow and black beetle that feeds on the leaves of tomato plants, damaging them severely. The CPB can also transmit the bacterium that causes late blight, which is a serious disease of tomato plants.
Cutworms
Cutworms are a type of caterpillar that feed on the leaves and stems of tomato plants. They can cause extensive damage to plants and can be difficult to get rid of. The Colorado potato beetle is a serious problem for potato, tomato, and eggplant cultivation. They can devour all of the leaves on your tomato plant and even kill it in extreme circumstances.
When sprayed on healthy plants, some types of insecticides may be more effective against other insects than they are against the target pests. Resistance builds up over time and can affect both the survival and reproduction of these pests.
Leafminers
Leafminers are small insects that tunnel through the leaves of tomato plants, causing damage. They can be difficult to control because they spend most of their time inside the leaves, where insecticides cannot reach them. Beetles and moths are known as leaf-mining insects since they, like other legume leaf miners, leave similar feeding traces on their food source.
Tomato Fruit Worm
Tomato fruit worms are the most common cause of tomato fruit holes. In certain areas, they’re also known as corn earworms or cotton bollworms. This larva causes neatly cut holes in tomatoes’ skins. It consumes one tomato before moving on to another, affecting numerous fruits in the process. The tomato fruit worm is the caterpillar of a moth that lays its eggs on tomato plants. The larvae hatch and bore into the tomato fruits, where they feed for around two weeks before emerging to pupate.
Tomato Hornworms
Tomato hornworms are large, green caterpillars that feed on tomato plants. They can cause extensive damage to infected plants, eating leaves, stems, and even fruit. The tomato hornworm is the larva of a hawk moth. Hawkmoths are nocturnal insects that are attracted to light. Hornworms are usually found on the underside of leaves, where they feed on the plant tissue and cause plant diseases.
Thrips
Tomato fruit worms are the most common cause of tomato holes. In some areas, they’re known as corn earworms or cotton bollworms. This larva causes tiny, neatly cut wounds on tomatoes’ skins. It consumes one tomato after another until it reaches the last one. The tomato fruit worm is the caterpillar of a moth that lays its eggs on tomato plants. The larvae hatch and bore into tomato fruits, where they feed for around two weeks before emerging to pupate.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are small, white insects that feed on the sap of tomato plants. They can cause extensive damage to plants, leading to yellowing leaves and stunted growth. Whiteflies are difficult to control because they reproduce quickly and can develop resistance to insecticides.
Whiteflies can also hinder a plant’s mechanical operation and cause it to ripen incorrectly. Some tomatoes develop a ripening problem as a result of the imbalance in honeydew supply in the plant when whiteflies begin feeding on them.
Reviews and Suggestions for the Best Insecticides For Tomatoes by Category
It’s now time to figure out what kind of insect is causing the infestation in your garden, so you can choose the best tomato pesticide… There are two different methods that pesticides may be used to get rid of pests:
- Contact insecticides: These are insecticides that kill the insects after they come into contact with the pesticide.
- Systemic insecticides: These pesticides are absorbed from the soil and distributed throughout the plant’s system. The insecticide is absorbed by the earth and transported to the plant’s system.
Example Botanical Insecticides For Tomatoes
Botanical insecticides are chemicals derived from plants that are used to control insects. There are a number of different types of botanical pesticides, each of which can kill specific kinds of pests. Pyrethrin (Persian powder) is the most popular botanical pesticide on the market.
Pyrethrin can aid in the control of aphids, caterpillars (hornworms), and high rates of beetles. It’s a contact insecticide made from chrysanthemum petals, making it an ideal organic pesticide. Pyrethrin works by interrupting the nerve activity in insects, causing them to become paralyzed and die. The best Pyrethrin products to purchase are below:
- Southern Ag Natural Pyrethrin Concentrate, 8oz
- Riptide Contact Insecticide Mosquito Misting System Refill
Made from a cousin of chrysanthemum, this organic insecticide is an effective way to get rid of bugs on plants, in ornamental, indoors and on livestock. It includes 0.96 percent pyrethrums as well as 9.6% peperoni Butoxide may be used on the following: many vegetables, ornamental; barns, as space spray, and to control mosquitoes outdoors controls: upon veggies & ornamentals; aphids, whiteflies, beetles.
Fleas, mites, lice, flies, gnats, and mosquitoes are some of the parasites that can infect your pet. Ants, roaches, silverfish, spiders, and a variety of other insects are among the household pests you may encounter. Mosquitoes (including their larvae), flies (including their larvae), wasps (including their larvae), and other arthropods Vegetables & ornamental plants 2/3 – 2 teaspoon gal Apply evenly or as a thorough spray to all areas with an aerosol sprayer. nApplication: as a thorough spray or dip.
Sodium 5% (Sodium Channel Inhibitor), Piperonyl Butoxide 25%, Pyrethrins 0.5% (Sodium Channel Inhibitor)
Riptide is non-toxic and can be used in a variety of settings, including animal quarters, around the home, in the garden, with mosquito misting systems, animal shelters, restaurants, zoos, homes, apartments, and condominiums. For a comprehensive list of application locations, please refer to the label. Riptide may also be used to kill flying and biting pest insects on animals.
Riptide Pyrethrin is a non-Hormone pesticide that kills and controls mosquitoes, flies, moths, gnats, crawling insects, and other stored-product pests.
The Riptide Mosquito Misting ULV is a Pyrethrin ULV insecticide for use in automated mosquito-misting systems. Riptide promotes efficient mosquito and other flying insect control. 1/2 gallon of riptide is required for each refill of your misting system. Riptide can also be used with a fogger in commercial spaces.
Example Biological Insecticides For Tomatoes
Biological insecticides or biopesticides are poisons developed by living organisms or the living thing itself that may kill insects. Fungi, bacteria, and nematodes are the active components in these pesticides. For minor infestations, some organic gardeners recommend using insecticides from this category:
12 to 24 gallons of material can be produced when pesticides, such as biological caterpillar and webworm control, are combined with water. Spraying tomato plants is a breeze thanks to the handy hose-end quart.
Because the bottle was smaller than expected, we were concerned. It’s simple to attach to a garden hose (you just wet the bush). We performed our side as well as our neighbors’ (we had previously agreed on this). We used one entire bottle on about 50 feet of tomato plants on both sides.
We are ecstatic and have bottle #2 on standby if they return. We also had to consider the prospect of having to destroy the bushes, so we were relieved that this is working. Aphids are terrible, therefore we were relieved that the tiny insects that died after treatment did not develop further as they would have.
To be effective,Monterey B.t. must be consumed by worms or caterpillars. After ingesting the pesticide, they immediately cease feeding, although they may otherwise appear to be healthy for many days. When worms are tiny, optimum effects are achieved with treatments; ideally, they should be eating treated leaves actively. The day of fruit harvest is acceptable for application of Monterey B.t..
When caterpillars or worms are first noticed, apply Monterey B.t. Repeat the application as required to control serious infestations. Apply thoroughly to the tops and bottoms of plants. About Monterey: Monterey Lawn and Garden Products is a leading supplier of plant protection chemicals and fertilizers. We try to provide home gardeners with the same high-quality technology as farmers have access to. Our product line offers cost-effective and efficient solutions for yard and garden issues that are properly registered and labeled for sale to and use by the homeowner.
People Also Ask
How do I keep bugs off my tomato plants?
Look for chewed-up leaves, stems, or fruit as a sign that your tomatoes have been attacked by pests. The ideal broad preventative method is to spray leaves with a properly diluted soapy solution once a week. Spray the foliage once a week and after it rains with one or two tablespoons of mild dish soap and a gallon of water.
What can I spray on tomatoes for bugs?
Mix 10 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, 1 gallon of water, and 10 ounces of sugar in a spray bottle to create an insecticide for tomato plants at home. Mix well and spritz the plant and leaves with it.
How do you get rid of tomato bugs naturally?
To get rid of tomato bugs, try using a mixture of water and dish soap. Simply mix together one or two tablespoons of mild dish soap with a gallon of water, and spray the plant and leaves once a week. You can also try using hydrogen peroxide to kill tomato bugs. Just mix together equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water, and spray the plants and leaves with it.
What are some common tomato pests?
Common tomato pests include aphids, whiteflies, tomato hornworms, and cutworms. These pests can cause damage to your plants by eating the leaves, stems, or fruit. To control these pests, you can use a variety of methods including spraying a soapy solution on the plants or using an insecticide.
Can you spray tomatoes with soapy water?
Yes, you can spray tomatoes with soapy water to kill tomato bugs. Simply mix together one or two tablespoons of mild dish soap with a gallon of water, and spray the plant and leaves once a week. You can also try using hydrogen peroxide to kill tomato bugs. Just mix together equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water, and spray the plants and leaves with it.
What's eating the leaves on my tomato plants?
There are a number of pests that can eat the leaves on tomato plants, including aphids, whiteflies, tomato hornworms, and cutworms. To control these pests, you can use a variety of methods including spraying a soapy solution on the plants or using an insecticide.
Can Sevin spray be used on tomato plants?
Yes, Sevin Dust can be used to control a variety of insects on tomatoes. This product is only certified for usage seven times per year. Allow at least three days before harvesting.
