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June 13, 2025

The Beastly Hornworm

To all my tomato plant growers out there .... this is for YOU!

If you have grown tomatoes at all, ever, any size, variety or whatever, you have surely encountered the HORNWORM.

I never intended to be a tomato grower but after living in the South for a few years and hearing about 'tomato sandwiches' I thought I'd try my hand at it.

The first time I tried, I bought a leftover tomato plant at a big box store late in the season. I didn't know about size, variety, etc. I just saw it and bought it.

I planted it and the thing started growing like crazy! I was so excited. I got bunches of flowers on it and soon a lot of baby tomatoes.

Then, one morning, I noticed a lot of the stems were eaten down ... leaves and all, gone!!! I blamed the wild rabbits that took over my yard that year. I stood there wondering what in the world happened.

As my eyes skirted around on the damage, I suddenly honed in on green squishy movement! The grossest bug I'd seen to that point came into focus. HORNWORM!!! I'd heard about them but didn't think they would come near me! Afterall, I was a seasoned gardener (in my mind) after one year.. haha!

I went into warrior mode! Here are a few quick tips that might help you to fight this little green beast.

There are actually 2 types of HORNWORM:

a. Tomato Hornworm

b. Tobacco Hornworm

They are equally gross to look at (in my opinion) but they have distinguishing marks.

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TIP 1: HORNWORM POOP

I have eight tomato plants this year. I've learned to check them regularly. This morning I found two (2) worms on one of my plants. Interestingly, it is the one plant I bought from a store rather than growing from seed. Anyway, if you inspect your plants and you see little green cube like shapes around the soil and on the leaves, that's POOP and .... YOU HAVE A HORNWORM (or more) on your plant! Start searching!

TIP 2: THE HUNT

I immediately got my gloves, and a jar filled with soapy water. If you have chickens you can feed these things to your chickens. I searched and searched. They are not obvious initially ... you have to search closely, looking under leaves and along the stems because they blend in.

Found it!

I have to admit ... it is interestingly ugly.

You'll want gloves because although they are easy to pull off, you will need to tug a little bit. All those little feet are hanging on for dear life... and you certainly do not want a squished worm in your bare hands.

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TIP 3: THE KILL

Like I said, if you have chickens, give them a wormy treat. Me? I threw them into soapy water to ensure they didn't end up on another plant. They were quite large which means they were on my plant a while. I just didn't notice ... I hadn't checked for about 2 days.

A couple of worms on your plant can wipe it completely out overnight.

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TIP 4: RECOVERY ... OR NOT

If you catch the worms in time, you might be able to get the plant growing again. They cause massive damage but sometimes the plant can be spared.

Mine had several stems that were eaten all the way but it also had some stems and leaves that were ok so I just gave it a big haircut.

If I hadn't caught this plant when I did, I'm sure in a day it would have been completely gone.

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TIP 5: PREVENTION

Right here in my GardenEase newsletters I touted the use of basil and marigolds to help deter hornworms.

This plant had 3 basil plants and a big marigold in it. Hornworms still found it, however not on my other seven tomato plants. So, I guess not tactic is foolproof.

Here are more references for hornworms information and prevention:

1. ​How to Identify and Get Rid of Tomato Hornworms​
2. ​15 Ways to Naturally Control Tomato Hornworms and Get Rid of Them!​

Happy Hornworm Hunting!

I'll see you in the next edition!

Jan ✌🏽

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If you have questions, comments, praises, complaints, or ideas about gardening or about the newsletter, you can reach me at: jangardener@gardenease.org

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