Repelling bugs that put holes in my tomatoes

Discussion in 'Fruit and Veg Gardening' started by gardengater, Jun 27, 2009.

  1. gardengater

    gardengater Young Pine

    Joined:
    May 30, 2008
    Messages:
    1,544
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    NC
    I have holes in my tomatoes. Sevin dust doesn't seem to be effective. What can I use to repel those boring bugs that is safe for edibles. Maybe the veteran growers among us can help me. Sjoerd are you listening? Also they are nice and big, but not ripening. Do I need patience?
     
  2. Loading...


  3. gardenmama

    gardenmama In Flower

    Joined:
    May 26, 2008
    Messages:
    575
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Vermont
    I use a mixture of tobasco sauce and water and spray my plants. Most insects do not like the hot taste. I also kick up the mixture by adding from dried cayennes from past summers. About 2 tbls of tabasco sauce to 1 liter of water.
     
  4. Canadian Chelsea

    Canadian Chelsea In Flower

    Joined:
    May 10, 2009
    Messages:
    256
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Sometimes those holes in tomatoes are made by slugs. They come out at night and feast. You could try getting up real early in the morning and checking your tomatoes, then hand-pick the slugs off.
     
  5. gardengater

    gardengater Young Pine

    Joined:
    May 30, 2008
    Messages:
    1,544
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    NC
    Thanks GM and CC I will do the Tabasco Sauce and check for slugs, though my toms are in tall boxes. Are slugs good climbers?
     



    Advertisement
  6. gardenmama

    gardenmama In Flower

    Joined:
    May 26, 2008
    Messages:
    575
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Vermont
    You could pick one of those tomatoes with holes in it and cut into it and see if the insect is still inside it.
     
  7. gardengater

    gardengater Young Pine

    Joined:
    May 30, 2008
    Messages:
    1,544
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    NC
    I did do that GM, and there were no bugs. My first thought was birds, but the hole is too round and neat. Would the treatment work on Broccoli and Cauliflower leaves as well?
     
  8. gardenmama

    gardenmama In Flower

    Joined:
    May 26, 2008
    Messages:
    575
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Vermont
    I use it on all the plants in my garden...I would give it a try. I don't use Sevin or other garden dusts and it seems to keep the munching down to a minimum.
     
  9. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2006
    Messages:
    20,114
    Likes Received:
    18,642
    Hiyah GG--
    Tomato Fruit worm and pin worm come to mind.
    It is not entirely clear to me if the holes are only in the tomato fruit or in the stalk as well. Could you take some pics of the holes and post them?
    I am very curious.
     
  10. gwcato

    gwcato New Seed

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Picture of my tomato worm

    Can someone tell me how to combat this worm with minimum risk to poison... thank you!
     

Share This Page