Tomato pest and diseases

The challenges facing every home gardener are pests and diseases. Unfortunately for tomato growers, both are subject to a large variety of tomatoes.

As for the insects, things are getting worse. Not only do they attack your plants, but they can also spread the disease themselves. In other words, if you have not already, you should give priority to pest control in your tomato garden.

These 6 most common tomato pests are the worst.

1. Aphids

The most common tomato pest, but one of the most destructive, is the aphid. These critters have soft pear-shaped bodies and are usually white, black, brown, or pink. Aphids affect a large number of plants, including relatives of tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant.

You can see them settling at the base of new stems and young leaves. They are juice-sucking insects and leave a sticky substance, which attracts various annoying insects.

Although considered one of the most destructive, minor infections are not a problem, especially in more temperate climates. However, if left untreated, they can reduce your plant yield and eventually kill the plant.

Fortunately, getting rid of aphids is easy.

Their small size allows you to easily wipe or pick and kill them using your fingers. Also, spray them using a water spray bottle. Water will cause them to explode from the tomato plant, thus causing no damage. A natural soap compound used using a spray bottle is another common solution to stave off bugs.

In severe cases, pruning or pinching the affected leaves or other parts of the plant may be necessary.

To prevent aphid infestation, pull crops (such as nasturtiums) away from your tomatoes, and choose plants that attract predators such as ladybugs and hoverflies.

2. Cutworms

Cutworms are capable of destroying the tomato plant overnight. These gray or brown caterpillars with black or yellow spots are approximately two inches long and incredibly damaged.

These stealthy caterpillars work at night, leaving large holes in your tomatoes. But fruit is not the only sacrifice. Seedlings are usually the most vulnerable, but the cutworms also attack the stems, eventually causing the plant to collapse. During the day, they hide under the soil or under plant debris.

The best way to prevent moths from getting caught is to water the soil frequently and remove all plant debris before planting the tomatoes. The collars around the base of the stem are also known to prevent worms. Once you see a cutworm, pick them up with your hands.

3. Flea beetles

These small jumping bugs are glossy dark brown or black beetles, resembling flies, sometimes with white or yellow stripes. Adults grow only one-tenth of an inch. Germinating seeds are very susceptible to flea beetles, and they often carry many bacterial and viral diseases that are harmful to plant health.

Like moths, rotate crops, removing your debris, up to your soil.

One way to control the infection is to dust the diatomaceous earth over your plants. Diatomaceous earth is used to prevent and control many pests of tomato plants and other plants in home gardens.

There are some good ways to prevent flea beetles from invading your soil and leaves, including using sequence cards and placing yellow sticky traps to catch adults.

4. Root-knot nematodes

There are many nematode species, some of which are also used to control harmful insects. However, root-knot nematodes are one of the worst bugs.

These small worms cause wilting, yellowing of leaves, and stunted growth in plants. Also, as their name suggests, they cause swelling and blister-like growth on tomato roots. Root-knot nematodes are most common in hot areas with short winters.

These pests are not easy to control. They often ride on garden tools and boots, so basic gardening is hygiene.

The rotation of crops is very important. The nematodes take several seasons to establish themselves in the soil. Crop rotation and cultivating the soil will prevent them from taking root.

Planting nematode-resistant tomatoes are the perfect natural preventative measure. "N" will be listed next to their names.

5. Blister beetles

The blister beetles have a great appetite for tomato leaves and, if left unattended, can completely destroy your plant. As well as harming tomato plants and many more, they are well known for what they do to humans. When crushed or injured, they release the blister agent cantharidin.

The best way to control this pest is to pick them up with gloved hands and quickly remove the damaged plants. When picking them up, drop them into a small bucket filled with soapy water to prevent the beetles from flying.

If the infestation of blister beetles is a problem in your area, protect your tomato plants using well-anchored row cards.

6. Hornworm

Another harmful caterpillar species is the hornwort. These insects are larger than most and grow to about three inches in length. Due to the light green color, they blend well with tomatoes and other plant leaves; They are difficult to detect and remove. Tomato hornbills are particularly straight black horned and can be easily identified once detected.

They are capable of removing the leaves of the whole plant and (although very rarely) can attack the surface of the tomato fruit. They also lay eggs at the base of the leaves.

Due to their size, picking them up by hand is an easy solution.

Hornworms are usually found at the base of the leaves. Thoroughly wipe out all your tomato plants and the vulnerable plants around it to catch these large worms. Once you pick them up, move them away from your crops. If you don’t catch them the first time, look out for more infections.

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