Do Gophers Like Tomato Plants?

Gophers are known to cause extensive damage to gardens and crops. Tomato plants, in particular, are one of the most popular plants grown in home gardens. Thus, it is essential to understand if gophers like tomato plants or not. This article aims to shed some light on this topic.

Gophers and Tomato Plants

A gopher's diet consists mainly of underground roots, bulbs, and tubers. They also feed on vegetation, but their preferred food source is underground. However, gophers are known to occasionally eat above-ground plant material, including the leaves and stems of tomato plants. Although it is not their primary food source, gophers may still be attracted to tomato plants.

How Gophers Cause Damage to Tomato Plants

Gophers can cause significant damage to tomato plants by eating their roots and causing the plants to wilt and die. They also burrow underground and create tunnels, which can lead to soil erosion and negatively affect the growth of tomato plants. Furthermore, gophers can drag tomato plants underground, causing them to uproot and die.

Preventing Gopher Damage to Tomato Plants

Prevention is the best way to avoid gopher damage to tomato plants. Here are some tips to keep your tomato plants safe from gophers:

- Install a gopher wire barrier around the tomato bed: This is a wire mesh placed underground that prevents gophers from burrowing into the bed.

- Plant gopher-resistant plants with tomatoes: Gopher-resistant plants like daffodils, garlic, and onions can deter gophers from your garden.

- Use gopher repellents: There are many gopher repellents available in the market that emit strong scents that deter gophers from entering the garden.

Following these steps can help keep your tomato plants safe from gopher damage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gophers may eat tomato plants occasionally, but it is not their primary food source. However, they can still cause significant damage to tomato plants by eating their roots, creating tunnels, and dragging them underground. Therefore, it is essential to take preventive measures to keep your tomato plants safe from gopher damage by installing a gopher mesh barrier, planting gopher-resistant plants, and using gopher repellents.