Tomato hornworms can wreak havoc on your outdoor plant boxes, but with a few simple strategies, you can create an effective deterrent system to protect your plants. Here’s how:

1. Companion Planting: Grow plants like basil, marigolds, or borage near your tomatoes. These plants repel hornworms naturally with their strong scents.

2. Handpicking: Regularly inspect your plants and remove hornworms by hand. Drop them into soapy water to eliminate them.

3. Neem Oil Spray: Mix neem oil with water and spray it on your plants. This organic solution disrupts the hornworms’ feeding and growth.

4. Beneficial Insects: Introduce predators like ladybugs or parasitic wasps, which feed on hornworm eggs and larvae.

5. DIY Garlic Spray: Blend garlic cloves with water, strain, and spray the mixture on your plants. The pungent smell deters hornworms.

By combining these methods, you can create a robust, eco-friendly deterrent system to keep your outdoor plant boxes hornworm-free and thriving.