As a professional gardener, you need to know which plants are most likely to get hornworms. These pests can quickly eat up a whole crop, which can do a lot of damage to your garden. Here are the top five plants that hornworms love to feast on:
- Tomatoes: Hornworms are particularly fond of tomato plants, and they can quickly strip the leaves and stems bare. Look for large, green caterpillars with white or yellow stripes on your tomato plants.
- Peppers: Peppers are another favorite food of hornworms. These pests can quickly defoliate pepper plants, leaving them weakened and vulnerable to other diseases.
- Eggplants: Eggplants are also susceptible to hornworm infestations. Look for signs of chewed leaves and stems, and check the undersides of leaves for caterpillars.
- Tobacco: Hornworms are notorious pests of tobacco plants. They can quickly strip the leaves, leaving the plants weakened and vulnerable to other diseases.
- Petunias: While petunias aren’t a food crop, they are a popular plant in many gardens. Hornworms can quickly defoliate petunias, leaving them looking ragged and unsightly.
To prevent hornworm infestations, it’s important to monitor your garden regularly and take action at the first sign of trouble. You can either handpick the caterpillars and dispose of them or use an organic pesticide to control the infestation. By being vigilant and proactive, you can keep your garden healthy and thriving all season long.