Controlling Tomato Hornworms Organically

Identify the Pest

Large green caterpillars (3–4") with white stripes and a rear "horn" — they blend with foliage. Young larvae are white. They chew big holes in tomato, pepper, eggplant, and potato leaves.

Organic Controls

• Hand‑pick — drop into soapy water.
• Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) — sold as Dipel, MVP. Non‑toxic to humans/pets; apply up to harvest.

Prevention for Next Year

• Rotate crops (move tomatoes to new bed).
• Till deeply in fall to destroy pupae in soil.

Resources

• Gardens Alive (BT products)
• Hornworm ID & Life Cycle