Tomato Flower Buds Disappearing: Pests or Pollination?

Likely Culprits

Cleanly "snipped" flower buds suggest:

• Cutworms: Nocturnal caterpillars chew stems/buds at soil level. Check at night with flashlight.
• Hornworms: Camouflaged green caterpillars eat buds, flowers, and leaves. Look for frass (black droppings).
• Rodents: Mice/voles nip buds. Sprinkle cayenne or use hardware cloth barriers.

Organic Controls

• Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): Spray weekly for caterpillars.
• Diatomaceous earth: Dust around plants for soft-bodied pests.
• Beneficial insects: Attract parasitic wasps with flowering herbs (dill, fennel).
• Hand-pick at dusk/dawn when pests are active.

Prevention

Rotate crops, remove garden debris, and use collars on young stems. Healthy plants tolerate some bud loss without yield reduction.