- 1). Go into the garden with a flashlight at night. Examine the fruit and leaves of the tomato plants for signs of small caterpillar-like worms with smooth skin. They will be actively chewing on the plant.
- 2). Cut a slit along the entire length of a cardboard toilet paper or paper towel tube, using scissors.
- 3). Hold the slit open and slide the tube around the base of the tomato plant. Allow the tube to close naturally, or tape it shut with duct tape if needed. This will prevent the cut worms from being able to climb up the tomato stem.
- 4). Spread a 1-foot diameter circle of diatomaceous earth around the base of each tomato plant. This acts as a natural insecticide.
- 5). Wait one to two days and examine the tomato plants at night for signs of new damage or cut worms. If the worms are still present, spray the soil under the tomato plants with an insecticide containing the ingredients methomyl or carbaryl.
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