What Types of Animals Eat Tomato Plants

Tomato plants are a delicious addition to any garden or farm, but unfortunately, they can also be attractive to pests and animals looking for a tasty meal. Some animals will eat the fruit itself, while others will nibble on the leaves or stem. In this article, we will explore what types of animals eat tomato plants and how to prevent damage to your crop.

Deer

Deer are a common pest for tomato plants in many areas. They are herbivores and will eat just about anything green, including tomato leaves and stems. If you have a deer problem in your garden, you may notice significant damage to your tomato plants, including stripped leaves and chewed stems.

To prevent deer from eating your tomato plants, you can install a fence around your garden or use deterrents like noise makers, motion-activated sprinklers, or wolf urine. If you have a small garden, you could also consider a physical barrier like chicken wire or netting.

Rabbits

Rabbits are another common pest that can wreak havoc on tomato plants. They have a particular affinity for young seedlings and will eat the leaves and stems down to the ground. You may also notice that the bark around the base of your tomato plants has been nibbled on.

To prevent rabbits from eating your tomato plants, you can install a physical barrier like chicken wire or netting. Another option is to use repellents like predator urine or hot pepper spray.

Squirrels

Squirrels are notorious for their love of fruits and vegetables, including ripe tomatoes. They may climb onto the plant and take a bite out of the fruit, causing damage that can lead to rot or disease.

There are several ways to prevent squirrels from eating your tomato plants, including planting them in a raised bed or container, using deterrents like bird netting or hawk decoys, or applying a spray repellent like coyote urine or spicy pepper spray.

Groundhogs

Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are another common pest for tomato plants. They are herbivores and will eat just about anything that grows from the ground, including tomatoes. If you have a groundhog problem in your garden, you may notice holes dug around the base of your tomato plants, as well as chewed leaves and stems.

To prevent groundhogs from eating your tomato plants, you can install a physical barrier like chicken wire or netting. Another option is to use repellents like predator urine or hot pepper spray.

Insects

In addition to larger animals, tomato plants can also be damaged by insects. Aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies are common pests that can infest tomato plants and damage the leaves, stems, and fruit.

To prevent insect damage to your tomato plants, it is important to regularly inspect them for signs of infestation and take action early. You could use natural predators like ladybugs or lacewings, apply insecticidal soap, or use companion planting to repel insects.

Conclusion

Tomato plants are a favorite food for many animals and insects, which can cause significant damage to your crop if left unchecked. By identifying what types of animals eat tomato plants and taking steps to prevent damage, you can ensure a healthy and bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes.