What Animal is Eating My Tomato Plants?

Tomatoes are a popular and delicious fruit, but unfortunately, many animals also find them irresistible. If you're seeing bite marks or damaged leaves on your tomato plants, you may be wondering: what animal is eating my tomato plants? To help you identify the culprit and protect your crops, let's take a look at some common tomato-eating animals.

Squirrels

Squirrels are notorious for stealing and eating fruits and vegetables from gardens, including tomatoes. They may leave behind half-eaten tomatoes or take small bites out of several unripe tomatoes, ruining your entire crop. If you have a lot of squirrels in your area, it's important to take measures to protect your tomatoes, such as covering them with netting or using a squirrel-proof feeder.

Rabbits

Rabbits are another common tomato-eating culprit. They love to nibble on young tomato plants and may even chew through the stems, causing irreparable damage. Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk, so it's a good idea to check your tomato plants during those times and erect a rabbit fence or use a repellent spray to keep them away.

Deer

Deer are known to eat a variety of plants, including tomatoes. They can cause severe damage to tomato plants by stripping leaves, breaking stems, and even uprooting entire plants. If you live in an area with a lot of deer, it's important to protect your tomato plants with a fence, netting, or a deer repellent spray.

Groundhogs

Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are herbivores that eat a wide range of plants, including tomatoes. They are particularly fond of the leaves and stems of tomato plants and can quickly devastate a small garden. To protect your tomatoes from groundhogs, you can use a fence, netting or try using a repellent spray.

Slugs and Snails

Slugs and snails may be small, but they can also cause significant damage to tomato plants. They usually feed on the leaves and fruits, leaving behind small holes and a slimy trail. They are most active at night and can be controlled using baits, copper tapes and pellets.

Conclusion

If you're wondering what animal is eating your tomato plants, it's likely to be one of the animals listed above. To protect your tomatoes from these pests, try using a combination of deterrents like fencing, netting, and repellent sprays. With a little effort and careful management, you can enjoy a thriving tomato crop and keep your plants safe from garden invaders.