Pest Control

Holes in tomato leaves are caused by caterpillars, flea beetles, slugs, or bacterial/fungal disease. The shape of the hole tells you who made it — ragged edges = caterpillars or slugs; small round punched holes = flea beetles; brown edges with yellowing = disease. This guide identifies each by hole type and gives you the correct organic treatment for each.

Ants on tomato plants are usually a sign of aphids — ants farm aphids for their honeydew secretion. Get rid of the aphids first and the ants leave on their own. For ant nests in the soil: diatomaceous earth, boiling water, or bait stations with borax. This guide covers both the ant problem and the aphid root cause.