How to Keep Leaf-Footed Beetles Off Your Tomatoes

How to Keep Leaf-Footed Beetles Off Your Tomatoes

from Aggie Horticulturist, Todd Farber | Garden Guy

Leaf-footed beetles can be a serious nuisance in the garden, especially when they target your prized tomatoes. If hand-picking them off seems like a losing battle, don’t worry—there are several effective strategies to prevent and control them.

1. Exclusion Methods

• Row Covers: Use fine mesh insect netting or floating row covers to keep beetles off your plants. Be sure to remove them when flowers need pollination.

• Bag Individual Clusters: Cover tomato clusters with organza bags or fine mesh to block beetles from reaching them.

2. Trap Cropping

• Sacrificial Plants: Plant sunflowers or zinnias near your tomatoes. Leaf-footed beetles are highly attracted to these plants and will congregate there, making them easier to remove.

3. Reduce Overwintering Sites

• Clear Debris: These beetles overwinter in woodpiles, weeds, and dead plant material. Keep your garden clean, remove excess mulch, and trim back any wild growth.

• Prune Dense Foliage: Open up airflow in tomato plants to reduce hiding spots for beetles.

4. Natural Predators & Organic Sprays

• Encourage Beneficial Insects: Birds, assassin bugs, and parasitic wasps attack leaf-footed beetles. Plant flowers like dill, fennel, and alyssum to attract these helpful insects.

• Neem Oil or Insecticidal Soap: Spray directly on nymphs (young bugs) since adults are more resistant. Repeat applications as needed.

• Kaolin Clay: Forms a protective barrier on plants, making them less appealing to beetles.

5. Trapping & Killing Adults

• Soapy Water Knockdown: If you see adults, use a handheld vacuum or knock them into a bucket of soapy water.

• Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle around the base of plants and on stems to kill nymphs as they emerge.

By combining these methods, you can get ahead of these persistent pests and keep your tomatoes safe.

Comment below what methods you’ve tried and what you think about our tips!

Need my help? I answer your Houston Garden Questions here.

About Us: Garden Guy is owned by Todd & Sabrina Farber. Todd, a Texas A&M horticulture graduate (Class of 1991) and Houston native, has been transforming residential landscapes since 1995. Sabrina, originally from Indiana, holds a BA in Mass Media and Speech from Houston Baptist University (1995) and is the Marketing Director for Garden Guy. Together, they have been featured in Texas Gardener Magazine and are passionate about helping Houston and Sugar Land homeowners with expert gardening advice.