Tomato plants have tiny black balls. Eggs? Fruit & leaves being eaten. No

L

Little Engine That Could

New member
chemicals. HELP!? I first noticed the tomatoes had holes in them. About half of them. I picked these and the problem seemed to go away. Then the leaves were getting holes in them, and this has continued. Now I'm noticing tiny black balls on the tomatoes, stems, and leaves that brush away when wiped. Unfortunately there are too many to wipe away. What are they? Are they connected to my plants being eaten? Aside from using chemicals, what can I do?
 
Are the balls about the size of BB's? Look over the plant very carefully for a tomato hornworm. It will be very well camouflaged, the same green as the leaves, and nasty looking, but it's harmless. It may by just an inch or two, or up to 4 inches long. Pick it off, and crush it. You may have more than one.

If the balls are the size of the head of a pin, they're probably aphids, which are not eating big holes in the plants. Sevin or a spray of soapy water will dislodge them. Good luck...
 
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