How to Get Rid of Parasites on Tomatoes

The tomato fruitworm larvae are small, white caterpillars with a black head that grow inside the fruit, entering at the ends of the stems and eating their way through the tomato. Other parasitic worms, such as the hornworm, feed on the leaves and stems causing major damage. Prevent parasite problems by controlling weeds, maintaining healthy soil and planting companion plants.

Gloves
Bucket
Sprayer
Bacillus thuringiensis

Instructions

- 1
  Pick hornworms off tomato plants using your gloved hands or a pair of tweezers. Drown them in soapy water. This is the most economical and effective, natural solution to the problem.
- 2
  Introduce parasitic braconid wasps or other beneficial parasites to your garden. You can purchase the wasps from garden centers or online suppliers. Once introduced, they will seek out the hornworm and feed on its inside, killing it. The Trichogramma pretiosum is a tomato fruitworm egg parasite that can be purchased commercially and introduced to your garden as well.
- 3
  Spray Bacillus thuringiensis, known as Bt, on your plants. Bt is a bacterial disease that will target certain larvae, such as that of the fruitworm, and infect it with a disease that paralyzes the parasite's digestive system, causing them to die of starvation within several days. This is an approved organic control.

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