Tomato Plant Problems: Common Pests and How to Fix Them

Tomatoes are one of the most popular garden crops—but also one of the most attacked. From leaf-munching caterpillars to sap-sucking aphids, tomato plants attract a wide range of pests that can ruin your harvest if left unchecked.

Here’s a guide to identifying the most common tomato plant pests and how to get rid of them—organically or with targeted treatments.

🐛 1. Tomato Hornworms

• Symptoms: Large holes in leaves, missing stems, droppings on leaves

• Solution: Handpick them off daily, or spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

• Encourage parasitic wasps, which lay eggs inside the hornworms

🐞 2. Aphids

• Symptoms: Curled, yellow leaves and sticky residue (honeydew)

• Solution: Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap

• Introduce ladybugs or lacewings to keep them in check

🦟 3. Whiteflies

• Symptoms: Tiny white insects flying when disturbed, yellowing leaves

• Solution: Use sticky traps, neem oil sprays, and remove infested leaves

• Keep airflow high—whiteflies thrive in stagnant conditions

🐜 4. Spider Mites

• Symptoms: Fine webbing on leaves, speckled or yellowing foliage

• Solution: Increase humidity (mites hate it), spray with insecticidal soap

• Avoid using chemical pesticides that can kill beneficial predators

🐞 5. Flea Beetles

• Symptoms: Small holes in leaves that look like shotgun damage

• Solution: Use row covers, diatomaceous earth, and rotate crops yearly

• Plant trap crops like radishes nearby to draw them away

⚠️ General Prevention Tips

• Check plants daily—early detection is everything

• Avoid over-fertilizing, which creates lush growth that attracts pests

• Water at the base to prevent fungal and mold issues

• Use companion plants like basil and marigold to deter pests naturally

🌿 Organic Spray Recipe (DIY)

Mix and spray weekly:

• 1 tsp neem oil

• ½ tsp dish soap

• 1 quart warm water

Shake well before each use and spray in early morning or late afternoon.