About pests of tomato seedlings and how to control them

This article will describe the most dangerous pests of tomato seedlings and methods for controlling them. Pest control is essential, otherwise they will ruin your plants so much that a good harvest is impossible. Fortunately, it's possible to successfully eliminate pests from your tomato plants in the early stages of their development.

Of course, to understand what you're up against, you need to know the enemy firsthand. That's why in this article, we don't just describe the insects, but also provide photographs of them. As soon as you spot any pests near your seedlings, begin preventative measures immediately.

Tomato seedling pests and control methods (photos)

Whitefly

It's a harmless-looking butterfly. However, this beautiful butterfly needs to feed, and it especially loves the sap of tomato seedlings. The insect's attacks cause yellow spots to appear on the leaves, which continually grow larger. If the butterfly continues to attack the plant, the leaves dry up and die. Besides being dangerous in itself, the whitefly can also transmit viral diseases, which can also be harmful to tomato seedlings.

Important! Whiteflies live on the underside of seedling leaves, so they can only be seen after lifting the leaf and turning it over. A characteristic feature is the appearance of small white specks of dust around the plant.

Whiteflies, like many other insects, are extremely prolific. Be prepared for a long battle. You can use "Karbofos" or "Bitoxibacillin" to spray on seedlings. To reduce the number of larvae, it is recommended to spray the undersides of leaves with cold water. Be sure to loosen the soil.

Sprout fly

A dangerous pest of tomato seedlings (and control methods will be described below). It most often attacks seedlings when the soil is mixed with compost for planting seeds. High temperatures activate the parasite. The larvae attack the seedlings as soon as they break through the soil. The eggs of the sprout fly are found in the top layer of soil, so avoid overwatering. When transplanting seedlings, it is recommended to completely remove the top layer of soil.

Thrips

Another insect that resembles a butterfly in appearance. While no more than a millimeter long, the butterfly is dangerous to tomatoes. The most dangerous are the larvae, which feed on the sap of tomato stems and leaves.

A clear sign that seedlings are infected is silvery spots on the leaves. Often, pests appear on tomatoes because gardeners haven't disinfected the soil and gardening materials. To treat tomatoes, they need to be sprayed with Fitoverm or simply tobacco dust.

The cutworm

A species of nocturnal moth whose caterpillars love to live on young tomato seedlings. Getting rid of the caterpillars is fairly easy; insecticides such as Fitoverm and Dendrobacillin can be used. It's important to keep the area around the tomato seedlings free of weeds, as these caterpillars can live there while they wait for the juicy and tasty young tomato seedlings to emerge.

Melon aphid

Often found on the underside of tomato leaves as larvae, the ants feed on tomato sap. Ants indicate that aphids may soon appear on the tomato plants. This is because they feed on the plant's secretions. Ants even bring aphids back to their nests in winter so they can survive the winter. Therefore, ant nests are not a good place in garden plots, especially where tomatoes are grown. For aphid control, try Fitoverm and Actellic.

Once again about the methods of struggle

These are the main pests of tomato seedlings, and control measures are essential. Ignoring insect attacks can result in a lost harvest. Insecticides, available in gardening stores, can help control all pests. However, these chemicals not only kill the insects but are also absorbed into the soil and end up in the tomato fruit.

To reduce the likelihood of pests developing on your tomatoes, you need to follow all the optimal growing conditions:

• Temperature and humidity;
• Steam the soil so that the larvae cannot develop in it;
• Apply fertilizers only at recommended rates;