7 Tomato Plant Pests and How to Get Rid of Them

Tomatoes are a garden favorite, but they’re also a magnet for pests. From tiny insects to leaf-munching caterpillars, these invaders can wreak havoc on your plants and ruin your harvest. The good news? You can fight back. Here are 7 common tomato plant pests and effective ways to get rid of them naturally and safely.

1. Aphids

What They Do:
These tiny green, black, or white insects cluster on stems and undersides of leaves, sucking sap and weakening the plant.

Signs:
Curled, yellowing leaves and sticky residue (honeydew).

How to Get Rid of Them:

• Spray plants with a strong stream of water to knock them off.
• Use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Introduce ladybugs, their natural predators.

2. Tomato Hornworms

What They Do:
Large green caterpillars that can strip a tomato plant of its leaves overnight.

Signs:
Big holes in leaves, missing foliage, and dark droppings on leaves.

How to Get Rid of Them:

• Hand-pick them off (they’re harmless to touch).
• Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural caterpillar control.
• Encourage birds or parasitic wasps in your garden.

3. Whiteflies

What They Do:
Tiny white insects that fly up in clouds when plants are disturbed. They feed on sap and weaken the plant.

Signs:
Yellowing leaves and sticky honeydew that can lead to sooty mold.

How to Get Rid of Them:

• Use yellow sticky traps.
• Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
• Remove heavily infested leaves.

4. Cutworms

What They Do:
These soil-dwelling larvae chew through stems at the base of young plants, causing sudden collapse.

Signs:
Healthy-looking seedlings that suddenly fall over.

How to Get Rid of Them:

• Place a collar (like a toilet paper tube) around the base of each seedling.
• Till soil before planting to expose larvae to predators.
• Use diatomaceous earth around plant bases.

5. Spider Mites

What They Do:
Tiny red or yellowish mites that suck juices from leaves, causing speckled or bronzed foliage.

Signs:
Tiny webbing on the plant, stippled leaves that look dusty or discolored.

How to Get Rid of Them:

• Spray with a strong jet of water regularly.
• Use neem oil or insecticidal soap.
• Keep humidity high; they thrive in dry conditions.

6. Flea Beetles

What They Do:
Small, jumping beetles that chew many small holes in leaves.

Signs:
“Shotgun” hole pattern in leaves, slowed plant growth.

How to Get Rid of Them:

• Use row covers until plants are established.
• Apply diatomaceous earth or neem oil.
• Trap with yellow sticky cards.

7. Stink Bugs

What They Do:
These shield-shaped bugs feed on fruit, leaving behind yellow or whitish spots and distorted tomatoes.

Signs:
Discolored, sunken areas on fruit and deformed growth.

How to Get Rid of Them:

• Hand-pick and drop into soapy water.
• Use floating row covers early in the season.
• Clear out nearby weeds and debris where they hide.

Conclusion

Tomato pests can be frustrating, but they don’t have to take over your garden. With a bit of knowledge and consistent care, you can identify, manage, and eliminate common threats using safe, natural methods. Healthy plants are your best defense—so keep your tomatoes well-fed, well-watered, and closely monitored for signs of trouble.

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