What Animal Would Dig in Tomato Plants?

If you’re an avid gardener, you may have encountered the frustration of finding holes dug around your beloved tomato plants. While you may be tempted to blame pesky neighborhood cats or mischievous rodents, there are actually a variety of animals that could be responsible for this behavior. Let’s take a look at some of the possible culprits.

Gophers

Gophers are small rodents that are known for burrowing in gardens and destroying plants. These creatures can cause significant damage to tomato plants by eating the roots and digging tunnels around them. If you suspect that gophers may be the cause of your tomato plant woes, look for characteristic crescent-shaped mounds of soil around the base of the plants.

Moles

Similar to gophers, moles are also small burrowing creatures that can cause significant damage to tomato plants. While they primarily feed on insects and grubs, moles can also dig up roots and disrupt the soil around plants. If you notice raised ridges or mounds around the base of your plants, moles may be to blame.

Raccoons

Raccoons are known for their curious and mischievous behavior. These critters may dig around tomato plants in search of insects or other food sources. While they may not directly harm the plants themselves, raccoons can cause significant damage to the surrounding soil and may disturb the roots of the plants.

Skunks

Like raccoons, skunks may also dig around tomato plants in search of food. Skunks are particularly fond of grubs, which can often be found around the roots of tomato plants. While skunks may not typically cause significant damage to plants or soil, they can leave a telltale odor behind.

Rats or mice

Rats and mice are notorious for their love of garden produce. These critters may dig around tomato plants in search of the juicy, ripe fruit inside. While they may not significantly damage the plants themselves, they can cause significant frustration for gardeners.

In order to determine which animal is causing damage to your tomato plants, it’s important to carefully observe the area and look for signs of digging, burrowing, or other disturbances. Depending on the culprit, there are a variety of solutions that may help protect your plants. From installing traps and repellents to fencing your garden, there are plenty of options to help keep your tomato plants safe and sound.

With a little bit of effort, you can get to the root of the problem and keep your tomato plants thriving all season long.