After a lot of sweating, when the tomato plants were thriving. You noticed some destructive insects and pests on the plants and they are busy at destroying your tomato plants. Painful, right? I also know the pain.
NOW;
If you want healthy tomato plants with juicy fruits, It is high time to announce the war against the tomato pests and you need a specialized weapon for winning this war that is called the best insecticide for tomatoes.
But what is the best insect spray for tomato plants?
In short, organic insecticides that contain some natural and biological insect and pest repellent substances as active ingredients like neem oil or horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, pyrethrin, spinosad, and Bacillus thuringiensis.
In this article, I will introduce you to the top 10 best organic insecticides for tomatoes that can be the savior of your tomato plants.
So, read the article and pick the right insecticide for your tomatoes-
In a Hurry? Here is the overall best insecticide for tomatoes that you may buy right now-
Best Insecticide for Tomatoes-Comparisons
| Insecticide | Active Ingredient | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey LG6135 Insect Spray | Spinosad | Organic | |
| Safer Brand Tomato Insect Killer | Pyrethrin | Organic | |
| Garden Safe Brand Insect Killer | Pyrethrin | Organic | |
| Safer Brand 5118 Insect Killing Soap | Salt of fatty acid | Organic | |
| Safer Brand 5163 Caterpillar Killer | Bacillus thuringiensis | Organic | |
| Monterey Worm & Caterpillar Killer | Bacillus thuringiensis | Organic | |
| Garden Safe 4536 Slug & Snail Bait | Iron Phosphate | Organic | |
| Natria 706240A Organic Neem Oil | Azadirachtin | Organic | |
| Bonide (BND857) - Insect Spray Mix | Pyrethrin | Organic | |
| Organic Laboratories Garden Spray | Sesame oil | Organic |
Note: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is only best for killing caterpillar and worm. Iron Phosphate is only best for Slug & Snail.
Best Insecticide for Tomatoes-Reviews
1. Monterey LG6138 Garden Insect Spray Insecticide/Pesticide
As an active ingredient, it contains spinosad and you will be happy to know, spinosad is a naturally occurring material that is made by bacteria called Saccharopolyspora Spinosa.
Spinosad is not a single compound. Actually, it is a mixture of spinosyn A and spinosyn D and both are highly toxic to garden pests.
Good news; this insecticide has 0.5% mixer of spinosyn A and spinosyn D and it is enough to kill most of the destructive insects of tomatoes such as aphids, mites, bugs, blister beetles, whiteflies, flea beetle, leaf miners, loopers, and caterpillars like cutworms, fruitworms. hornworms
It is odorless and fast-acting contact insecticide. When the insect comes in contact with it, the nervous system of the insect will be damaged. As a result, they die in 1-2 days.
To kill the tomato insects with this best natural pesticide for tomatoes-
Mix 2 oz or 4 tbsp. concentrated solution per gallon water, shake well and spray on tomato plants until the leaves and soil wet completely. Reapply after 4 days, if necessary. It can be sprayed before the day of harvest.
Another good news; it is also available in Ready to Spray and Ready to Use (RTU) formula.
Ready to Spray solution comes in a container with a hose-end sprayer. You have to just connect a garden hose for spraying on the tomato plants.
In contrast, the Ready to Use solution comes with a trigger sprayer. Just shake and spray on the foliage on the tomatoes. Sounds simple, right?
Moreover, the RTU solution also contains potassium salt of fatty acids with spinosad. Potassium salt fatty acid has also a pesticidal activity and it is the main ingredient of insecticidal soap.
So, pick this natural insecticide for tomatoes, spray on foliage and provide 360-degree protection to your tomato plants.
2. Safer Brand 5085-6 Tomato & Vegetable Insect Killer
Safer Brand 5085-6 Tomato & Vegetable Insect Killer is another safe insecticide for tomato that is specially formulated for tomatoes and vegetables. It has no chemical substance that is certified by OMRI.
This insecticide contains 0.012% Pyrethrin and 1.015% potassium salt fatty acids as the active ingredients and the good news; both are natural and biodegradable substances that don’t harm humans, pets, and environment.
Pyrethrin is an organic substance that extracts from chrysanthemum flowers and chemically, It is a mixture of 6 organic chemicals that can kill most of the tomato insects.
Besides, the potassium salt fatty acid is another insect repel substance that also extracts from food plants. Individually, it also can kill most of the soft-bodied insects.
The balanced mixture of pyrethrin and potassium salt fatty acids makes this insecticide best for tomatoes and other vegetables such as peppers, cucumbers, and edible fruits.
It is also a contact insecticide that can kill the insects when they come in contact with this insecticide.
It comes in the RTU formula. Shake the solution and spray on the upper and lower surface of tomato leaves and protect your tomato plants from the most destructive tomato insects including tomato hornworms, aphids, flea beetles, and whiteflies. It can be applied once per 7 to 10 days as a preventive insecticide.
So, pick this best natural insecticide for tomatoes that can be applied to the tomato plants until the day of harvest with confidence.
3. Garden Safe Brand Multi-Purpose Garden Insect Killer
Let’s see what are the active ingredients of this insecticide and where they are extracted?
As the active ingredients, it contains 0.02% pyrethrin and 0.20% Piperonyl butoxide. And you know pyrethrin is extracted from chrysanthemum flowers naturally and it is a powerful insect killer.
Moreover, piperonyl butoxide is a solid organic compound that acts as a synergist component of the insecticide. That means it has no pesticidal activity but it can increase the potency of pyrethrin.
It is the multi-purpose insecticide that is a safe pesticide for indoor and outdoor vegetables, herbs, fruits, and nuts including tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, carrot, and so on. That’s means this insecticide can protect your whole garden from insects.
It can kill most destructive garden insects including aphids, tomato hornworms, green fruitworms when they come in contact with the insecticide.
Also, it comes in Ready To Use form. So no premixing is required. Shake and spray thoroughly on the tomato foliage. Treat your tomato plant once per week to prevent tomato insects or apply when the first insect appears. It can also be used up to the day of harvest.
4. Safer Brand 5118 Insect Killing Soap
Safer Brand 5118 Insect killing Soap contains 49.52% potassium salt of fatty acids as an active ingredient that is extracted from plants naturally. It has no toxic chemical and that is certified by OMRI and NOP.
It also acts as a contact insecticide like the other organic insecticides. When the insects come in contact with the solution, the potassium salt fatty acid disrupts their cuticles and kills them.
Many gardeners claim; this insecticide is best for whiteflies on tomato plants and others claim; it does not work for stink bugs on tomatoes. But according to the experts’ opinion, it is the best insecticide for soft-bodied insects like aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, beetles, and thrips.
Though this insecticide has not confirmed that it can kill caterpillars and slug or not. But according to research, it may work on some caterpillars (hornworms) and slug also.
If you know only caterpillars or slugs are the main enemy, then you should pick caterpillar killer insecticide(Our pick: Safer Brand 5163 Caterpillar Killer or Monterey LG 6338 Worm & Caterpillar Killer) or snail and slug bait (our pick: Garden Safe 4536 Slug & Snail Bait).
Do you know why most of the gardeners like this insecticidal soap for tomatoes?
It is a quick-drying insecticide and has a minimum chance to wash off. As a result, it can protect the tomato plants for a longer period of time. Also, it has no harsh soapy smell.
To get insect-free tomato plants-
Mix 5 tbsp. solution per gallon of water and spray on the tomatoes when the insect first appears. Repeat the application after 1 or 2 weeks up to the day of harvest.
Not comfortable with premixing? Pick the Ready to Use (RTU) insecticidal soap spray that has 2.0% potassium salt of fatty acid as an active ingredient.
5. Monterey LG 6338 Worm & Caterpillar Killer RTU Insecticide
Sounds sad, right? But there’s a biological solution named Monterey LG 6338 Worm & Caterpillar Killer RTU Insecticide and it is the best caterpillar and worm killer for tomatoes.
As an active ingredient, it contains 98.35% Bacillus thuringiensis(BT). BT is gram-positive bacteria, mostly used as active ingredients of biological insecticide. Actually, BT produces Delta endotoxin that can breakdown the cell membrane and kill the insects if they come in contact with the solution.
Besides tomatoes, this Monterey LG 6338 can be applied to shade trees, fruit trees, ornamental plants, and vegetables. It protects your plants from caterpillars and worms such as cabbage looper, bagworm, gypsy moth, fall cankerworm, elm spanworm, tomato hornworm, and so on.
It is OMRI listed safe and organic pesticide for gardeners that can be applied to the edible vegetables and fruits up to the day of harvest.
And it comes in both Ready to Use (RTU) and concentrated form. The RTU container has trigger spray. Just shake and spray thoroughly on tomato plants. And to apply the concentrated solution on tomatoes, mix 4 teaspoons per gallon of water to apply on tomato leaves.
So, pick this best natural insecticide for tomato worms and caterpillars and save your tomato plants from massive damage.
6. Natria 706240A Organic Neem Oil
Many gardeners ask-is neem oil safe for tomato plants?
They will be happy to know, neem oil is a natural pesticide for tomatoes that is not only safe for tomato plants but also safe for all the vegetables and edible fruits as well as humans and pets.
Do you know why neem oil acts as a natural pesticide?
Neem oil contains Azadirachtin, it is an organic compound of the limonoid group that acts as the growth regulator, antifeedant, repellent, sterilant, and ovipositor inhibitor of insects. So, the neem can be used to kill almost 200 garden insects including most of the tomato insects including caterpillars.
Also, the neem oil can prevent the most destructive fungal diseases of tomatoes such as black spots, powdery mildew, and rust.
The most important part of the neem oil insecticide is-
It decreases the secretion of the molting hormone of insects. As a result, immature larvae of insects aren’t developed.
Natria 706240A concentration contains 70% neem oil.To prepare the final solution for tomato plants- Mix 2-4 tbsp. the concentrated solution in 1 gallon of water and spray as a pesticide on the upper and lower surface of tomato leaves.
Not comfortable with concentrated solutions? Don’t worry! It is also available in Ready to Spray (RTU) version that has 0.9% neem oil.
So, Pick the best neem oil for tomato plants and far away the insects and disease from tomato plants.
7. Bonide (BND857) – Pyrethrin Garden Insect Spray Mix
In this Bonide BND857 insecticide has 1.0% Pyrethrin and I have already told what is it and how it works as an insecticide. I am telling you that again if you miss it.
Pyrethrin is a powerful toxic compound to the insects that is extracted naturally from chrysanthemum flowers. It mainly damages or shuts down the nervous system of insects when they come in contact with it.
Also, it has 10% Piperonyl butoxide and you know it has no pesticidal activity but it increases the potency of pyrethrin.
Though it is not OMRI listed it is organic and not toxic or harmful for humans and the environment. Also, it is biodegradable and leaves no residues.
It comes in concentrated form. Mix 3 tablespoons of the solution in 1 gallon of water and apply the upper and lower leaves surface of tomatoes. Reapply after 3 days if necessary. Extreme insect pressure, you can apply only after 24 hours. It also can be used up to the day of harvest.
Homemade Organic Pesticides for Tomatoes
If you have extra time in your hand, you can make DIY pesticides for tomato plants at home. Here I will share some homemade insecticide recipes that may help you to get rid of insects from tomatoes. Remember don’t apply homemade insecticide without testing on some leaves.
Recipe 1: Homemade Insecticidal Soap for Tomato Plants
This insecticide highly effective against control soft-bodied insects including ants, whiteflies, and so on.
Items Required:
- Dish Soap or Castile Liquid Soap(Our Pick: Bronner’s – Pure-Castile Liquid Soap)
- Vegetable oil or Neem oil (Our pick: Mary Tylor Naturals Organic Neem Oil)
- 1 Gallon Hand Sprayer (our pick: Chapin 20541)
Steps:
- Fill the sprayer with water and mix 4-5 tablespoons of castile soap.
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil and wait for a few minutes.
- Mix the solution properly again and spray it on the leaves of the tomatoes.
To more insecticidal soap recipe- How to Make Homemade Insecticidal Soap Spray.
Recipe 2: Garlic Spray for Tomato Plants
Items Required:
- 15-20 Garlic cloves
- Liquid Dish soap
- Vegetable oil
Steps:
- Chop the cloves and place them in a pot.
- Add 1 or 2 liters of water and boil for 10-20 minutes.
- Stir the water while boiling.
- Let the solution cool.
- Filter and add a few drops of liquid dish soap and vegetable oil.
- Pour the solution into a sprayer and apply it on the foliage of tomato plants.
It can be stored in the refrigerator for a week. To learn more- How to make garlic spray Insecticide.
Recipe 3: Chili Pepper Spray for Tomato Plants
Items Required:
- Chili powder
- Liquid Dish soap
Steps:
- Mix 1 ½ teaspoons of chili powder and 2-3 drops of liquid dish soap in 1 quart of water.
- Pour the solution into a sprayer, shake well and spray on the foliage of tomatoes.
You can also sprinkle chili powder on the leaves as a dust insecticide. Want to make hot pepper spray check this article- Homemade Hot Pepper Spray for Organic Gardening.
Recipe 4: Homemade Insecticide for Worms
Items Required:
- Diatomaceous earth (our pick: Safer 51703 Diatomaceous Earth)
Steps:
- Sprinkle the diatomaceous earth around the base of tomato plants or the entrances of insects.
- Also, sprinkle the powder on the leaves and stems of tomato plants.
Recipe 5: Hydrogen Peroxide Spray for Tomato insects
Item Required:
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Sugar
Steps:
- Mix 8 ounces hydrogen peroxide and 8 ounces sugar in a gallon of water.
- Shake or stir the solution and spray it on the upper and underside of tomato leaves.
Recipe 6: Insecticide for Tomatoes with Baking Soda
Items Required:
- Baking soda
- Liquid soap
- Vegetable oil
Steps:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, one tablespoon of liquid soap, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a 1 gallon of water.
- Pour the solution into a sprayer and apply it on the foliage of tomatoes.
It can also act as a fungicide that can kill fungus spores and prevent powdery mildew, black spot, and rust.
How to Apply Insecticide on Tomato Plants?
It is also important to know the best way to spray insecticide on tomato plants. You know most of the insecticides are contact insecticide. That means they only work when the insects come in contact with the insecticide. So, let’s discuss the way to get rid of bugs on your tomato plants step by steps-
1. Buy The Best Insecticide For Tomato Plants
Many Gardeners asked, “What is the best insecticide for your tomato plants?” But they should ask what is the best insecticide for whiteflies or stink bugs or cutworms on tomatoes. Because a single insecticide cannot be best for all the insects. Sounds harsh but it is true.
Then what should you do?
You should first identify the most affected insects on tomatoes. Then pick insecticide for killing that insect. If it seems complex to you, then pick spinosad, pyrethrin-containing insecticide. They can kill most of the tomato insecticides.
Neem oil or insecticidal soap also can be helped to kill most soft-bodied insects successfully. The best idea; Read the label of the insecticide, you will get the affected insects list.
2. Choose the Right Time to Apply Insecticide
Early morning is the best time to apply insecticide on tomato plants. Because insects become active in the morning and also the weather remains calm and cool at that time.
As a result, more insects may come in contact with the insecticide. Also, some insecticide can burn tomato plants if applied in hot weather.
3. Prepare the Dilute Solution
Read the label direction and make the perfect dilute solution for tomato plants by mixing water. Remember, the more concentrated solution can damage the tomato plants.
If you pick the ready to use solution, then you don’t need to mix the extra water.
4. Test the Solution on Some Tomato Leaves
Never apply insecticide without testing. Only testing can tell you that the concentration of the solution is safe for your plant or not.
Spray clean water on the tomato plants and apply the insecticide on some leaves. Wait overnight. If you don’t see any burn or wilting sign. Then go for the next steps.
But if you see any burn or wilting sign. Wash the tomato plant with clean water. Add extra water to the previous solution and go for a test again.
5. Spray the Insecticide on Tomato Plants
Spray clean water on the tomato plants. Then Shake the premixed or RTU insecticide solution and spray until the leaves become wet completely. Drench the soil if the soil-borne insects are on the affected list on your insecticide.
Remember, most of the insects remain on the underside of the leaves. So don’t forget to spray on the underside of leaves.
Conclusion
Growing healthy tomato plants and producing juicy, bigger vibrant tomatoes at home is a matter of pride and happiness. But tiny insects can ruin all of your happiness if you don’t take the right steps at the right time.
If the insect attacked already, spray insecticide without any delay. If insects don’t attack yet, then you are lucky. Sounds good, But not actually.Because war is coming. So, buy the best insecticide for tomatoes, and be ready for the war to get rid of bugs on tomatoes.
