bugs in my tomato plants!!!

[GrumpyMom]

:banghead :banghead two of my plants (potted) have holes in the leaves so I'd been assuming it was bugs. today i actually saw a white nasty bug (a little smaller than a beatle). what should i do? i'm TOTALLY new to veggie gardening and i'm clueless about how to treat bugs. i don't want to use chemicals because we'll be eating the tomatoes eventually....help!

[snlmama]

I'm not familiar w/ the bug you are describing, but if it's large enough to see, could you get the kids out w/ a bucket and have them pick them off then relocate or kill them? Is it eating the fruit too orjust the leaves. If just the leaves I wouldn't worry about it as much.

I know insectisidal soap works for some bugs on tomatoes and is supposed to be "safe." http://homeharvest.com/insectspraysinsecticidalsoaps.htm

I'm big on using good bugs to eat the bad bugs. Stop by your local garden shop and see if they have something to recommend. We set free some ladybugs and preying mantids in the Spring and between those and the lizards we're doing pretty well. If they'll live in your area, I have a friend who recs buying a couple of green anoles and setting them free in your yard. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature/wild/vertebrate/reptiles/anole/

[JellyBeansSlingMom]

I haven't heard of a white bug but it is hard shelled or is it like a worm or grub? Garlic pepper tea works great with bugs.