Chelone- It seems odd in such a heavily settled area to have voles. I'll to a search and see what I can find. We have several stray cats that come around. They were avid hunters in my mess of tomatoes last year. The mice were having quite the party in there. Well, if it is a vole, at least I know what I have to deal with. Is there any specific plants that voles do not like- kind of like dealing with deer. I am just glad that they are in the front yard and not be back. The back gardens are substantially larger. Thanks- Candace

I don't believe it to be a caterpillar at all. They look more like the larvae/pupae of a beetle...maybe a Colorado potato beetle? I wouldn't wait around for an ID, though. Yikes! Rather than experiment with a home made brew, I'd strongly suggest a spray of insecticidal soap directly on these little pests. Jean...what do you think these might be?

Ive seen people attach something to the plants like a bag sock nylons or something around the tomatoes, making aphysical barrier to however's hungry. It wouldnt work if the pest is already inside the mater tho.

Tortoise beetle, a youngster.