What Animal Eats Whole Tomato Plants?

Tomato plants are popular garden plants grown for their juicy and flavorful fruits. However, these plants are not only sought after by humans but are also attractive to animals. In fact, there are a few animals that eat whole tomato plants. This article discusses some of them.

Rabbits

Rabbits are known for their love for fresh greens and vegetables, and tomato plants are no exception. They tend to nibble on the leaves and stems, which can cause considerable damage to the plant. Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk, making those times the most critical for protecting your tomato plants. You can prevent rabbits from munching on your tomato plants by fencing off your garden bed.

Deer

Deer are lovely creatures, but they can wreak havoc on your tomato plants. They are known to eat a variety of garden plants, including tomato plants, to the ground. Deer are most active at night, so if you find that your tomato plants are disappearing overnight, you've probably got deer in your garden. The best way to keep deer from eating your tomato plants is to erect a barrier around your garden or use deer repellent sprays.

Squirrels

Squirrels are notorious for their love for garden produce, including tomato plants. They scramble up the plant and eat both the leaves and the fruits. Squirrels are most active during the day, making protecting your tomato plants a little more challenging. You can deter squirrels from eating your tomato plants by using a physical barrier, such as chicken wire or bird netting.

Groundhogs

Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are also known to enjoy snacking on tomato plants. They typically burrow into the ground and create tunnels under your garden bed, making it easy for them to access your plants. Groundhogs are most active during the day, making it easy to spot them. You can keep groundhogs away from your tomato plants by using fencing around your garden bed, making it challenging for them to access it.

Conclusion

Growing tomato plants is a fun and rewarding activity. However, it's essential to keep in mind that there are animals that may eat your plants. Rabbits, deer, squirrels, and groundhogs are some of them. By identifying which animals are causing the damage, you can put measures in place to deter them and protect your tomato plants.