Methods

• Pinworms may be controlled by biological agents, such as mating disruptants contained in plastic spirals attached to the tomato stems. Prevention measures include checking to ensure that transplants---especially those from growers in Southern states---are free of signs of the caterpillars. You may also apply traditional insecticides to kill pinworms.
  
  

Expert Insight

• Three insecticides make the list of those recommended by the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. They are abamectin, methomyl and esfenvalerate.
  
  

Considerations

• The University of California's pest management guidelines rank methomyl just behind mating disruptants in terms of effectiveness, taking into account such factors as the effects on natural enemies of the pinworms and honeybees. It ranks abamectin and esfenvalerate behind methomyl, noting that abamectin is also effective against leafminers and russet mites.