Do Squirrels Eat Tomatoes? 11 Ways to Keep Them AWAY!

As a nature lover with years of experience observing and interacting with squirrels around the world, I can confidently answer the question: do squirrels eat tomatoes? Yes! Squirrels are known to be attracted to tomatoes and will try to get their paws on them if given the chance. Fortunately, there are ways to keep them away from your tomato plants. In this blog post, I will share my knowledge on how to protect your tomatoes from pesky squirrels.

Squirrels eat tomatoes, but it is not a natural or preferred part of their diet. Some squirrels may experiment and find that they like the taste of tomatoes, while other squirrels may avoid them. Squirrels mostly feed on tree nuts and seeds, fungi, fruits, buds, and insects.

Do Squirrels Eat Tomatoes?

Squirrels are known for their appetite and their willingness to try almost anything. While they have a wide array of natural foods that make up the bulk of their diet, it is not uncommon for squirrels to take advantage of whatever food is available. This often means eating human food, tree fruit, and even garden vegetables like tomatoes.

With so many hungry squirrels looking for a tasty snack, do they really eat tomatoes? Though there are instances when squirrels may nibble or chew on a ripe tomato, they are not likely to be a favored choice among this species’ menu items.

Can Squirrels Eat Tomatoes?

Yes, squirrels can eat tomatoes! However, there are various methods that you can use to keep them away from your precious tomato plants. Consider building fencing around your garden, using sprinklers as a deterrent and trimming tree branches near the roof. You can also try providing food and water for any trapped squirrels in order to help them escape from attics or chimneys.

Signs That a Squirrel is Eating Your Tomatoes

Signs that a squirrel may be eating your tomatoes include:

• Missing or partially eaten fruits
• Evidence of scratching on the vines and leaves
• Large amounts of debris or shells from consumption scattered around the garden
• Scampering noises in the morning or afternoon

How to Keep Squirrels Away From Your Tomato Plants

Squirrels hunting for tomatoes in your garden? Here are some effective strategies to keep them at bay:

1. Dogs as Deterrents

Using a dog as a deterrent for squirrels can be effective. Dogs are predators of small rodents such as squirrels, and having one in the vicinity may prevent them from entering your garden. Dogs can also be trained to bark when they detect the presence of squirrels, which may startle them away. When using dogs as deterrants, remember to keep them supervised at all times to ensure their safety and well-being!

2. Ultrasound Repellent

Another high-tech way to deter squirrels from your garden is by using ultrasound deterrents. These devices emit high-frequency sound waves that humans can’t hear but are unbearable to animals, including squirrels. The sound disorients squirrels, making them extremely uncomfortable, and ultimately drives them away from your garden.

To use ultrasound deterrents, you can purchase an ultrasonic repellent device and place it in your garden. The device will emit sound waves in all directions, ensuring that all squirrels are deterred. The best part? These devices are environmentally friendly, humane, and don’t harm squirrels in any way.

3. Alternative Food Source for Squirrels

If there are alternative food sources available for squirrels outside of your garden such as birdseed, seeds from trees or nuts then they may be more likely to stick around those areas instead of looking elsewhere for sustenance. Consider providing supplemental feeders near windows or exits leading out into nature where squirrels can gather without disturbing your tomato plants.

For example, try placing some of those in a spot where the squirrels could clearly see it from a distance:

The squirrels will be attracted by the chance to get an easy and tasty snack. As a result, they will not be hungry anymore.

4. Owl Sculptures as Scarecrows

Owl sculptures can also make great scarecrows that can frighten off pesky critters like squirrels. Place these strategically among trees close by so that when the sun shines during daylight hours they cast long shadows across sections of land.

You could also opt to hang up some owl decorations along fence lines near tomato plants if you’re feeling extra creative! This will not only provide a visual deterrent but also act as a reminder that owls are always on watch throughout night so if any rodents try their luck they may end up paying the consequences.

5. Hot Pepper Spray

Hot pepper spray is an effective way to deter squirrels from entering your garden and eating your tomatoes. The capsaicin in hot peppers can irritate the eyes, nose, and skin of squirrels, inciting them to move away from the area.

Ingredients for Hot Pepper Spray

• 1 gallon of water
• 2-3 tablespoons of dish soap
• ½ cup cayenne pepper or ground chili powder (the hotter the better)

Steps for Making and Using Hot Pepper Spray

1. Mix all ingredients together into a large bowl or container.
2. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, if you have one.
3. Spray liberally around tomato plants and other areas where you think squirrels might be entering your garden.
4. Be sure to reapply after each rainfall as it will wash away over time.

Warning: Use Caution When Handling Hot Peppers

When working with hot peppers, always wear gloves and protective eyewear. If any of the ingredients get on your skin or in your eyes, rinse immediately with plain water and seek medical attention if needed.

6. Scent-Based Repellents

One way to keep pesky squirrels away from your tomato plants is by using predator urine as a deterrent. The instinctive fear of predators is hardwired into wild animals, so they are likely to avoid an area that smells like the scent of a predator. This technique works well for keeping other rodents away as well, such as rats and mice.

You can buy pre-packaged scented sprays or you may be able to find some local coyote, fox, bear or bobcat urine in liquid form at bait shops or other specialty stores. If you are lucky enough to have access to an actual predator’s urine, fresh is always better than old! Once applied, the scent will linger for several weeks and often last long enough for the squirrels to move on to greener pastures.

7. Fencing and Cages To Protect Tomato Plants From Rodents

If predator urine does not do the trick for deterring squirrels from your tomato plants then consider erecting fences or cages around the plants. Building a fence can be done easily with wood boards or metal mesh depending on what materials you have available and personal preference. It should be high enough (at least four feet) so that squirrels cannot jump over it and durable enough that they won’t be able to chew through it.

Cages are another great option if you don’t have time or funds for building a fence. These can also come in various shapes and sizes however make sure that it is large enough so that your tomatoes get plenty of sun – but small enough where squirrels can’t fit through them! Additionally, these cages also need strong netting that won’t tear apart when brushed against by branches.

Tools Needed for Fencing and Cages Installation

When it comes to fencing and cage installation, you’ll need a few tools. First, gather enough wire mesh or chicken wire to fence off the area around the tomatoes. You will also need clippers, pliers and stakes to secure the mesh in place. To build cages around individual plants, grab some wooden stakes and string or zip ties.

Steps for Installing Fences and Cages Around Tomato Plants

Preventing squirrels from eating tomatoes starts with strong fencing and protective cages. Here are the steps for installing a fence or cage around your tomato plants:

1. Measure the circumference of the tomato bed to determine where to set up fences.
2. Select height and type of fencing (e.g., wood, metal).
3. Securely attach wire mesh or other materials as needed to keep out rodents.
4. Place cages over individual plants for added protection.
5. Ensure that any entrances are small enough to prevent bigger intruders like raccoons from entering the area.

8. Companion Plants To Repel Rodents

Planting companion veggies and herbs alongside your tomatoes is yet another effective way of deterring pests like squirrels from eating them up! There are many pest-repelling plants out there including mint, rosemary, chives, leeks & dill just name a few – each having their own unique properties which together will create an atmosphere too pungent even for pests such as rabbits & deer! Planting these types of companion plants will help mask aromas produced by ripening tomatoes while adding texture & color in your garden.

Not only do companion vegetables provide protection from destructive creatures but they simultaneously act as natural fertilizer replenishing depleted soil with vital nutrients needed for growing healthy vegetables all year round.

9. Sprinklers As A Deterrent

Setting up automated sprinklers pointed in certain areas near where pesky critters like squirrels frequent have been reported by some people as being quite effective at frightening them away before getting close enough for them to steal any tomato crops! Some motion-activated units even feature bright flashing lights intended specifically designed scare off intruders trying to sneak past during nighttime hours making them especially useful during summer months when days are much longer than usual.

It’s important to note however water isn’t only used to repel unwanted visitors but also attract beneficial birds pollinators which often balance out the ecosystem allowing more nutritious yields without additional human input beyond regular maintenance activity routinely conducted in order to ensure optimum functionality throughout the lifespan installed equipment utilized dissuade rogue wildlife encroaching upon landowner’s property

10. Water to Keep Squirrels Away

The sound of running water has the power to save your tomato plants from those pesky squirrels. The trick is that the water needs to be constantly running for the noise to repel squirrels and other rodents away. You can install a sprinkler system near your garden, or set up pumps and hoses that spray jets of water continuously around the tomoto plants.

This method works by creating an unsettling environment as these creatures are always on alert for danger and predators. Every time they hear unexpected noises in their vicinity, they’ll flee right away – leaving your tomatoes safe!

Steps for Using Water to Deter Squirrels

Using water to deter squirrels is an effective option because they hate getting wet! Here’s how to do it:

1. Set up a sprinkler system that goes off whenever a squirrel enters.
2. Try flooding sections of the yard with shallow pools of water.
3. Hang empty plastic jugs filled with water near garden entry points and along fences. The sound will scare them away.

11. Plant Extras To Ward Off Pests

If you want to add an extra layer of protection against squirrels, companion planting can come in handy here too. Companion planting involves putting certain types of plants next to each other as natural pest deterrents, namely lavender or marigolds next to your tomatoes as these are known to repel rodents including squirrels.

You can also try using strong smelling herbs like mint or oregano around your tomato patch as pests usually don’t like their smell either way. This will help keep them at bay even further! Finally, adding some small logs or sticks surrounding your tomato patch may also act as physical barriers from any potential intruders trying jump across gardens walls too!

What Is the Natural Diet of a Squirrel?

Grains, nuts, seeds and fruits make up the lion’s share of most wild squirrel species’ diets. In addition to these staples, some varieties eat insects such as beetles and crickets and also consume tree bark or fungi. Despite having access to copious amounts of human-provided food sources such as bird seed in parks or residential areas with feeders, domestic squirrels mostly prefer the same sort of fare found in nature.

• Grains: Wild rice, corn on the cob husks & kernels
• Nuts: Acorns & walnuts
• Seeds: Sunflower & pumpkin
• Fruits: Apples & pears

While it is possible for squirrels to consume tomatoes if given the chance – ripened fruit makes an especially tempting treat – it certainly isn’t preferred by most wild populations due to its sourness. Domestic urban populations may find themselves munching on our tomatoes more out of necessity than preference should other sources become overly depleted.

When confronted with an available source like your garden tomatoes however, you will probably never know whether your little red visitors enjoyed them or not!

If you suspect that something has been snacking on your Tomato plants there are certain signs you can look out for when examining your garden beds or potted plants.. Firstly look out for missing segments from Tomato fruits left behind – any clean cuts along those lines suggest something took precaution when dining! Secondly inspect nearby branches or lawn furniture – watchful eyes scanning below during daylight hours might just reveal which culprit paid particular attention to those deliciously ripe morsels.

FAQ

Do squirrels consume tomatoes in the evening?

Squirrels are primarily active during the day, as opposed to other creatures of the night. Evidence suggests that they will bite tomatoes but generally not consume them in entirety. Therefore, it is unlikely that squirrels would be eating tomatoes at night.

Can squirrels that live in the ground consume tomatoes?

Yes, ground squirrels can eat tomatoes. Tomatoes are a popular food choice for these small rodents because they are soft and easy to bite off pieces from. While they typically prefer to feed in the day time, some species of squirrel may also feed at night or times when humans are not around.

Which animal consumes ripe tomatoes during the night?

Every night, many animals enjoy eating ripe tomatoes. Possums, raccoons and even rats are all drawn to the succulent fruits growing in gardens around the world. As nocturnal creatures, they can take advantage of dark skies to feast on these savory treats without fear of being spotted. To prevent them from feasting on your tomatoes, use metal cages or sturdy fences that reach at least 6 feet in height.

How can I stop squirrels from eating my tomatoes?

If you’re looking for ways to keep pesky squirrels from snacking on your tomatoes, there are a few simple steps you can take. Start by creating an enclosure with hardware cloth or chicken wire around the tomato plants and secure it using clothespins. Use smelly deterrents, such as garlic-based spray repellents, around the perimeter of the area to deter them further. Finally, monitor potential access points to ensure they don’t sneak in.

Conclusion

As it turns out, squirrels are generally not attracted to tomatoes but in case of need, they do eat them. If you want to keep squirrels away from your garden, there are a few steps you can take. Set up a fence or trellis around the plants; use natural repellents like chili powder or cayenne pepper sprinkled around the perimeter of the garden; place birdfeeders away from the tomato plants that will attract squirrels away from them; and finally, install motion-activated sprinklers or noise makers in your garden.

In conclusion, do squirrels eat tomatoes? Yes, they do! It’s always important to be proactive when taking measures to protect your precious tomato crop. By following these simple steps and using some creativity, you can ensure that those pesky squirrels stay far away.

You may also be interested in reading:

• Do Squirrels Eat Blackberries? Find Out and Keep Them Away from Your Garden!
• Do Squirrels Eat Flowers? Here’s What You Need to Know!