Flick into soapy water. Repeat as needed, probably daily.

Just pluck and step on em. How would you rather go, drowned in soapy water or sudden impact? Why would you waste the effort to fill up a bucket with soapy water unless you like watching them drown.

Even cutting them in half, or stomping, does not meant instant death, there can be a time period of extreme agony involved. Early in the life of these buggers spraying the plants with Bacillus thuringiensis - Kurstaki can be an effective control, but after a week or so, in the life of this caterpillar, the growth might be too much for this diease to be effective. Once they are large enough to see then yanking them off into a bucket of soapy water, or the other means of control can be effective.
Companion planting, planting something with the tomatoes to confuse Ma Moth so she does not lay here eggs on the tomatoes can also help. Covering the plants, with floating row covers, can also help by keeping Ma Moth from the plants, and since tomatoes are self fertile (do not require pollinators) the FRC's do not need to be removed. there is alos some evidence out there that Ma Moth is attracted more to tomatoes that lack some nutrient or are under stress, so look closely at your soil to be sure it is a good, healthy soil that will grow strong and healthy plants that are better able to ward off these pests.

the soil is fantastic, each tomato has a marigold as a buddy. Every year I know the worms will get their share...I plan on that. But, I also have to protect my babies somewhat.
So,...last night I opted for Death by Fire. I picked 9 more worms...threw them into a coffee can, added some lighter fluid and voila! It made me feel better at least and gave me something to do while I was waiting for my smoker to warm up.

If you know a person that fishes they could try using them by tying to a fishhook. As you have seen by squishing very little would be left if you put on a fishhook the traditional way.

What does a good, reliable soil test say about that soil?
How do you know it is fantastic? What is the soils pH? How well does it drain?. What does that soil smell like?, How much organic matter is in that soil? What kind of life is in that soil? How well does that soil clod and how well does it fall apart?

okiebug, try doing a good inspection for the young caterpillars and even the eggs. The eggs are round and pearlescent, deposited singly on the upper OR bottom surface of the leaf. The baby caterpillars are weensy, as you would expect, just hatched from that little egg.

If you stop the critters before they get to be huge, you'll see much less damage!

Here is a link that might be useful: Here....I'll show you a picture