A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum The Tomato Forum Tomato plant critter

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and have a problem with with tomato plants that I have just planted in my raised-bed garden. I planted them and covered them with a blanket and tarp as we were expecting frost. The next morning when I uncovered the plants, one was eaten, leaves and stem, down to the roots. That evening I covered the remaining plant and the next morning it also was consumed. The only clue is a hole/tunnel, less than an inch in diameter, near the base of the plant.
It could be a vole, mole, mouse ??? I don't know. Has anybody else had this problem and what to do?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
vamimito4

EEEWWWWWW........sounds like a tomato horn worm. they are almost invisible since they blend in so well with tomato plants. I'm not sure if the horn worm lives where you are, and I'm no expert on them in the first place. I just know I check my maters once or twice a day for them. they can wipe out an entire plant or two in a matter of hours. IF that is what you have, you just have to carefully lookover your plants till you find it. (good luck!) then squash it.