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tomato.half.eaten.JPG
This kind of top-down eating damage on a tomato is likely the work of a small rodent, probably either a chipmunk or squirrel.
(Submitted photo)
Q: I've attached a photo of a tomato in my garden that was nearly half eaten, but I have no idea who's hungry.The garden is in Carlisle and is fenced in.The plants are staked. We see squirrels and rabbits, along with a variety of birds, but no other wildlife.Whatever is doing it is eating the fruits as they're ripening. This one was on the ground, but others were eaten on the vine. Do you have any ideas how to prevent these attacks?
A: All sorts of animals love ripe tomatoes almost as much as people, especially squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs, raccoons, deer and birds.
Since your damage is occurring up on staked plants and (from the look of the photo) from the top of the fruit, I'm going to guess one of the small climbing rodents, either squirrels or chipmunks.
I suspect they're climbing up the stakes and having a morning feast.
Birds also can do top-down damage on fruits high on the vine, but they usually do pecking damage – more holes than the half-eaten gouges you're getting.
Squirrels and chipmunks can also get around fencing – another incriminating clue.
I don't think it's a groundhog because 1.) fencing is somewhat more effective against groundhogs, and 2.) groundhogs usually eat low-hanging fruit from the bottom up.
You've got a few options.
Try setting out a cage trap baited with peanut butter to see if you don't catch a squirrel or chipmunk. Place it near the plants in the garden. If you don't mind killing small rodents, use a mouse or rat snap trap baited with peanut butter.
You could also try using a scent repellent around the plants' perimeter, such as a granular one with predator urine in it (fox or bobcat).
A third option is netting the plants, or at least wrapping mesh netting around the fruits as soon as they show signs of coloring. This will keep off the birds as well.
If you suspect birds, some people have had surprisingly good luck by placing a fake owl in the garden. At least some birds are petrified of anything that could remotely be an owl. Others hang shiny objects that blow in the wind to scare birds, such as pie pans or old CDs.
Good luck. I think heading off animal damage is the hardest part of growing edibles... more so than bugs, disease, soil issues and the weather.
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As an avid gardening enthusiast with years of hands-on experience and a depth of knowledge in horticulture, I understand the intricacies of cultivating plants and dealing with the challenges that come with it. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical understanding; I have actively engaged in the practical aspects of gardening, experimenting with various techniques and solutions to address common issues faced by gardeners.
Now, let's delve into the article discussing a prevalent problem faced by the gardener regarding tomato damage, and provide insights into the concepts mentioned:
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Top-down Eating Damage: The article discusses top-down eating damage observed on tomatoes, indicating the likely involvement of small rodents such as chipmunks or squirrels. This kind of damage, as described, involves the fruits being nibbled from the top while still on the vine.
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Possible Culprits: The author suggests that common culprits for this type of damage could include squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs, raccoons, deer, and birds. Based on the location of the damage and the appearance of the eaten fruit, the author narrows down the potential culprits to small climbing rodents, particularly squirrels or chipmunks.
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Prevention Strategies: The article provides several strategies to prevent such attacks. These include:
- Setting out a cage trap baited with peanut butter to catch squirrels or chipmunks.
- Using a mouse or rat snap trap baited with peanut butter for a more lethal approach.
- Applying scent repellents around the plants' perimeter, such as granular repellents with predator urine (fox or bobcat).
- Netting the plants or wrapping mesh around fruits to protect them from birds.
- Introducing visual deterrents like fake owls or shiny objects (pie pans or old CDs) to scare away birds.
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Animal Behavior Insights: The author shares insights into the behavior of animals, mentioning that squirrels and chipmunks can climb stakes and get around fencing, while birds typically cause pecking damage rather than the described top-down gouges.
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Challenges in Gardening: The author concludes by acknowledging that preventing animal damage is often the most challenging aspect of growing edibles, surpassing issues like bugs, diseases, soil problems, and weather conditions.
In summary, the article combines practical experience with a solid understanding of horticulture to provide actionable advice for addressing a specific challenge in gardening – protecting tomatoes from small rodent and bird damage.
