Caterpillar Pests Wreak Havoc on Thompson-Okanagan Gardens

Gardeners in the Thompson-Okanagan region are facing a common enemy this spring and summer - caterpillars. These pests are making a meal of the fresh produce, leaving gardeners worried about their crops.

Among the most destructive species is the big, green tomato hornworm. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, these caterpillars eat not just tomatoes but also peppers, eggplants, and potatoes. They're pale green with V-shaped white markings on their bodies and can grow up to five inches long.

Another pest causing problems is the peachtree borer. These caterpillars live under the bark of stone fruit trees, feasting on the inner bark for a year. This can cause the tree to weaken or die, according to Iowa State University.

Gardeners have some options to control these pests. For the tomato hornworm, spraying insecticides during the egg-laying period in early June can help prevent further damage. Hand-picking and dropping caterpillars into soapy water or feeding them to backyard chickens is another method.