Tomato horn worms!!! Arrrrgggg

Dave44 · Jul 6, 2014

Anyone know a better way than picking them off? I have in the past been patient,and gotten them when they get in the way, but I don't have as many plants this year. So in the morning and afternoon I am inspecting them.

If you don't know, they can do A Lot of damage in a few hours.

http://grapeseedfarmproject.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/tomato-horn-worm.jpg

Limitool · Jul 6, 2014

I really don't know Dave... I'm not much of a gardener. But I know they can get pretty big if there like the ones I took off my Dad's plants. If ya find a big one I suggest loading your gun, then have a friend throw the worm into the air and fire off a couple shots. I know I'm now just being a smart ass. Let's move on.....

Oh, by the way... I sent a couple rounds your way today!!!!!

Dave44 · Jul 6, 2014

You know, I have been throwing them to the birds, but I think you have a better game...... PULL!!!!

Gold Maven · Jul 6, 2014

they are hard to see for as big as they are, great cammo.

Dave44 · Jul 6, 2014

Gold Maven said:
they are hard to see for as big as they are, great cammo.

No kidding, I am sure someone might think I was a drooler, if I was close enough to the road! Sitting and staring at them. Sometimes when you find one you wonder why you missed if earlier!

old digger · Jul 6, 2014

You may what to try Dawn dish soap in water, and spray the plants. This may help as it does help deter ants.

Dave44 · Jul 7, 2014

old digger said:
You may what to try Dawn dish soap in water, and spray the plants. This may help as it does help deter ants.

Thanks. I will try it!

Limitool · Jul 7, 2014

Hell quit messing around Dave... Get the 12 ga. out and load with 7 1/2 bird shot. The one with the sawed off barrel. I'd say around 7-8 shells should be good. Back off about say 40-50 ft. and broadside of your plants. Open fire sweeping from left to right. Then grab a beer and let the smoke clear. Any worm that survives that assault you just leave alone because there out of your league now.

Damn kids.... always making a mountain out of a mole hill.

texasred777 · Jul 8, 2014

Dave, it's been a long time since I've gardened; but I seem to remember using Sevin dust on them. Please, don't do this until you have checked it out! I believe it can be used in the early growth stages; and maybe later if the fruit is washed well before using. I just don't remember. I definitely do remember the looks of those creatures. Ugly and dangerous looking! Those horns always made me shy away from them. If I saw one, I'd flick it off the leaf and then step on it.

Peyton Manning · Jul 8, 2014

flame thrower dude

ConceptualizedNetherlandr · Jul 8, 2014

Many parts are edible

worldtalker · Jul 8, 2014

ConceptualizedNetherlandr said:
Many parts are edible

Euell Gibbons fan!! :laughing7:

FC-Treasure · Jul 8, 2014

Ok, so I've been battling those guys for years... I tend to just look for tomato branches with no leaves and the "poo" trail to find them and squash them. My nine year old daughter likes to go on hunts for them which is good because her eyesight is much better than mine. Kindof gross when you step on one....

I had always thought mine were tobacco hornworms (which eat tomatoes too)
Manduca sexta - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For some reason I'm under the impression that rotating my tomatoes to different parts of the garden each year helps keep the population down. I just read about their reproductive cycle though and I'm unclear on why that would work. BTW, I'm using raised beds, so the separation is very clear.

G.I.B. · Jul 8, 2014

This evening, just before sunset, go outside with your laptop and read them posts from the politics section.

They will all die laughing.

Haha ha... anyway, seriously now-

Just send them to Chicago-

River Rat · Jul 8, 2014

Guinea fowl & pea fowl love em. Just ask my feathered friends. LOL!

Dave44 · Jul 8, 2014

River Rat said:
Guinea fowl & pea fowl love em. Just ask my feathered friends. LOL!

I have been debating bringing in some chickens, will they eat them without taking everything else? The only reason I don't use the flame thrower is that I love tomatoes so!

Dave44 · Jul 8, 2014

G.I.B. said:
This evening, just before sunset, go outside with your laptop and read them posts from the politics section.

They will all die laughing.

Haha ha... anyway, seriously now-

Just send them to Chicago-

Surely you were informed of the Tnet rules about fight club? The first rule of fight club is you don't talk about fight club. Unless you are in the fight club arena.

Wonder why that may be?