17 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Tomato Hornworms

The tomato hornworm is one of the most common pests in the vegetable garden.

These pesky little critters can devastate a tomato plant in days. But, as this article highlights, you will discover some natural ways to get rid of them.

One method is to handpick them off the plants and toss them into the chicken coop.

Another remedy is to use diatomaceous earth. This powder works by cutting through the caterpillars’ exoskeletons and dehydrating them.

Below, we will expand on these remedies and highlight more ways to control tomato hornworms organically.

What Are Tomato Hornworms?

These critters are big, green caterpillars that have a horn-like tail. They can cause damage to your tomato plants and other crops, like pepper plants.

They can strip a plant of its leaves very quickly [1]. And if you pretend not to notice them, they will do a lot of damage in a short amount of time.

How to Get Rid of Tomato Hornworms Naturally

If you’ve got a tomato hornworm problem, don’t worry! As mentioned, you can do a few things to get rid of them naturally.

Below, we will talk about these remedies in detail.

1. Pick Them Off

It may seem like a lot of work, but squishing those green caterpillars on your tomato plants is satisfying.

If you don’t want to squish them, throw them far out of your garden so wild birds can pick them up. You can also drop them in some hot, soapy water.

2. Row Covers

Another way to prevent tomato and tobacco hornworms from attacking your crops is to cover the plants with floating row covers.

These will keep the moths from gaining access to your plants. Once there is no way for them to lay their eggs on your plants, there will be no caterpillars to deal with later.

3. Soap and Water

Soap and water combo is another excellent home remedy for tomato hornworm control. That’s right, soapy water.

All you have to do is mix a little soap and water in a spray bottle. Then, spray your plants with the mixture, and the critters will wiggle around so you can easily spot them.

Some may even fall to the ground, where you can squish or feed them to predators. Alternatively, you can drop them in a bucket with soapy water.

This remedy will kill the hornworms within a few minutes.

4. Repellent Plants

This tactic involves planting certain crops together to reap the benefits of their symbiotic relationship.

One of the most sensible things you can do for your garden is to companion plant with marigolds. These flowers produce a strong scent that can deter tomato hornworm moths and other garden pests.

You can also try planting basil, which is a plant that these green worms on tomato plants don’t like. Other plants that repel tomato hornworms include dill, nasturtiums, chamomile, and borage.

5. Trap Crops

You can plant trap crops around the perimeter of your garden or wherever you see signs of these caterpillars. These plants help keep certain critters away from your main crops.

The best trap crop for tomato hornworms is flowering tobacco plants. The hornworms are attracted to flowering tobacco plants and leave your tomatoes and other crops alone.

6. Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is planting different crops in the same garden area each growing season [2].

So, you will plant another crop in the tomato spot next growing season. This method will help break the life cycle of pests and improve the fertility of your soil.

Growing tomatoes in a different spot each season can help control the population of tomato caterpillars and prevent plant diseases from taking over.

7. Natural Predators

Tomato hornworms are no match for their natural predators. Ladybugs, braconid wasps, some birds, and green lacewings all help keep these pests in check.

Therefore, try to attract and keep these creatures around. Let them do their job. They will help control the caterpillars on your tomato plants.

8. Cayenne Pepper Spray

Make a homemade cayenne pepper spray from a mixture of cayenne pepper, water, and soap.

The soap will help the spray adhere to the plants, and the hot pepper spray will deter these pests from eating your beloved plants.

Mix one tablespoon of cayenne pepper with one cup of water and one teaspoon of dish soap for the recipe. Apply it to all plant surfaces.

9. Bacillus thuringiensis

Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt for short, is toxic to some caterpillars. They include tobacco, cabbage, pepper, and tomato hornworms.

It’s entirely safe for humans and animals and is often used in organic gardening. Mix this organic insecticide according to the instructions, then spray it on your plants.

10. Neem Oil

Neem oil is a natural, organic remedy for killing pests and is very easy to use.

Mix one tablespoon of neem oil with a teaspoon of liquid soap and a gallon of water, and spray it on your plants. This remedy will keep away tomato moths and hornworms.

11. Till the Soil

Suppose you had a lot of tomato hornworms last season. If so, just till the soil around your plants next year. Doing so will help destroy overwintering larvae.

12. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

This product is a type of powder with very sharp edges. As such, it is deadly to hornworms and other soft-bodied insect pests.

When they crawl over it, it will irritate their bodies to the point where they will later die. Therefore, sprinkle some DE on your plants.

You can also make a DIY spray by combining one part DE with four parts water. Shake well and coat your plants.

The spray starts working once it dries.

13. Hose Them

These pesky insects are no match for a gardener armed with a hose. Turn the hose on and direct the water to the hornworms.

The force of the water will knock them off the plants. You can then collect them and dispose of them.

14. Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes are tiny, parasitic creatures that can kill pupating larvae in the soil.

Mix them with water and apply them to your garden according to the instructions included in your purchase.

15. Azera Gardening

There’s no need to reach for toxic insecticides. Azera Gardening’s organic insecticide is as effective and much safer for you and the environment.

It’s made with all-natural ingredients—pyrethrins and azadirachtin. This pesticide kills the caterpillars on contact.

16. Bug Buster-O

Bug Buster-O is a potent, natural formula. It’s great for people who want to get rid of caterpillars eating tomatoes and other plants.

Moreover, it is eco-friendly and safe for the environment. It also works against many other garden pests.

17. ECOWORKS EC

This product is specially formulated to control many insect pests, including hornworms. It’s also safe for use around children and pets and works against fungal diseases.

Takeaway

If you’ve ever grown tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplant, and potatoes, you may know that tomato hornworms can ruin your crop quickly. Luckily, these safe and natural remedies can help keep these pests under control.