For the safest and most effective tomato pest control, use targeted treatments based on the specific pest. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for caterpillars, organic insecticidal soap or neem oil for soft-bodied insects like aphids and mites, and physically handpick larger insects.
Protect your tomatoes from pests using physical barriers like fine mesh or organza bags placed over individual fruits, and deter insects with organic sprays like neem oil. Maintain healthy plants by mulching, proper spacing, and pruning to naturally resist pest attacks.
Regardless of what you might read or see in nursery promotions, planting tomatoes in October or November is not a fruitful experience, literally. The night temperatures are too low for the flowers to set fruit. Tomatoes planted in August or early September will grow quickly in the warm soil, warm nights and long days.
The "best" pesticide for tomatoes depends on the specific pest you are dealing with. For caterpillars and hornworms, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is the most effective organic choice. For a broad-spectrum attack on bugs and diseases, a 3-in-1 spray featuring spinosad or neem oil is highly recommended.
Horticultural & Dormant Spray Oil – This mineral oil concentrate eliminates insects by blocking their breathing openings while also killing off many plant diseases. Insecticidal Soap – This OMRI Listed® insecticide soap can be used up to the day of harvest to kill aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and other pests.
To keep bugs away from tomato plants, use natural deterrents like neem oil, insecticidal soap, or DIY garlic spray. You can also build physical barriers or plant companion herbs nearby to organically repel pests.
Sprinkling baking soda around tomato plants is a common, often debated, gardening hack used to increase the sweetness of the fruit and reduce fungal disease. It works by slightly lowering soil acidity (raising pH) and, when used in sprays, creating an alkaline surface that hinders fungi like powdery mildew.
Coffee grounds are added to tomato plants because they provide a slow-release source of nitrogen, improve soil structure, and can help deter pests like slugs and snails. They are best used in moderation or mixed into compost rather than piled thickly, as too many can compact the soil.
No, Dawn is not an insecticidal soap. Dawn is a synthetic detergent designed as a heavy-duty degreaser. True insecticidal soaps are made of potassium salts of fatty acids and are specially formulated to target pests without damaging plants.
Never plant fennel, brassicas (like cabbage, broccoli, and kale), potatoes, or corn near tomatoes. These plants can stunt tomato growth, compete aggressively for nutrients, or spread devastating diseases and pests.
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Gardeners bury an egg in the planting hole because it acts as an organic, slow-release fertilizer. As the egg decomposes, it releases essential nutrients like calcium, nitrogen, and phosphorus directly to the tomato roots, which helps build stronger stems and prevents blossom end rot.
To naturally protect your tomatoes, use targeted organic sprays like Monterey B.T. Concentrate for caterpillars and worms, or Arber Organic Insecticide for aphids and mites. Combine this with companion planting—like basil and marigolds—to naturally repel pests and attract beneficial insects.
Common pests of tomatoes
Using Dawn soap on tomato plants can be risky. While DIY soapy water acts as a contact pesticide, Dawn is a heavy-duty detergent. It can strip the protective waxy layer from tomato leaves, leading to leaf burn, wilting, and increased water loss.
Baking soda can sweeten tomatoes and deter pests, but must be used sparingly to avoid harming plants. A light sprinkle around the base wards off slugs, ants, and aphids, and a diluted spray mix helps prevent fungus.
Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) provide magnesium and sulfur to tomato plants, which boosts chlorophyll production, aids nutrient absorption, and corrects leaf yellowing. It promotes bushier foliage, stronger cell walls, and can enhance fruit size and flavor.
Tomato plants love the nutrients these provide, but these amendments must be broken down first. Eggshells supply much-needed calcium (which prevents blossom end rot), and coffee grounds offer nitrogen. However, direct, chunky applications take too long to decompose to help your plants immediately.
Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which kill beneficial insects. Hand-wipe or prune to control small, localized infestations when practical. Wash aphids from plants with a strong stream of water. Control honeydew-feeding ants, which may protect aphid colonies from predators.
Oil Spray: Mix 1 cup of vegetable oil with 1 tablespoon of mild liquid soap. Add 2-8 teaspoons of this mixture to 1 quart of water and spray your plants as above. The oil in this spray smothers the insects so it is effective on aphids, thrips, mites, and scale.
Aphids are soft-bodied garden pests that are highly vulnerable to drying out, strong scents, and natural predators.
Hydrogen peroxide can be highly beneficial for tomato plants if used correctly. It is a cheap, effective, and readily available remedy used to control fungal diseases, manage pests, and aerate waterlogged soil. However, because it is a strong oxidizer, using too much can damage your plants.
To grow bigger tomatoes, maximize the fruit's size by pruning excess branches, restricting the plant to just one or two main stems, and plucking off early blossoms. This diverts the plant's energy into sizing up the remaining tomatoes rather than spreading resources across too many fruits.
The best homemade tomato fertilizer is a nutrient-rich, liquid compost tea. It delivers a gentle, balanced boost of essential macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). To make it, steep a shovelful of aged manure or compost in a 5-gallon bucket of water for 24 hours, strain the liquid, and water your plants.