Carolyn, I fully understand the squash dilemma. I wouldn't be able to handle so many. About the tomatoes, I wonder if the weather has an effect. Wind can blow awful stuff into areas that never had the problem before. I wish I lived close enough to help you.
Anything ORGANIC that gets rid of tomato horn worms ? Yes,, Sargeants flea and tick spray for cats ! Pyrethrin is the ingredient and it is approved for organics ! It is made from chrysanthemums ! Two or three TBSP per pint of water and a squirt of dish soap,, put it in a hand sprayer ! Just a spray or two should take care of the problem ! Make sure its for cats, not dogs ! I use permethrin which is the man made version ( for dogs) ! Its safe but just not approved for organics because its man made ! Be sure and read the label in case they changed the formula !
Bt or aka Dipel is a bacteria to spray on the plants. as soon as the "worm" eats on it it feels full and quits eating. it then basically starves to death.
Maybe that's why planting Marigolds by tomatoes is supposed to deter the Horn worm. I watch for any black droppings and begin the search for the dreaded Horn worm. I take a container of water, hold it beneath the leaf the worm is eating, snip off the leaf. I only have about a dozen plants which makes it easier.
Willow, we have been fortunate enough to never have had an invasion of horn worms, but when I'm working with the tomatoes, I carry a small plastic container with me, and knock any worms into it, then throw them in the outside coop. You are right--hens adore horn worms, and not as pets! (The container is used for nothing else!)
I potted 8 Black Krim seeds yesterday, watered them today.About a week from now, if I'm blessed, the seeds should sprout, beginning 8 of the best tasting tomatoes ever. I'm ready to guard against Horn worms.
Being observant is my best idea. I look for black droppings and know there is the dreaded Horn worm chomping away nearby. I search and clip the ravaged branch, dropping the offender into a pail of water.
I don't know if they are here in Milwaukee, but in my classroom we have a bearded dragon. He loves them! When you get them through the pet store they're blue.
