Do Raccoons Eat Tomato Plants?

Raccoons are known for their scavenging nature and voracious appetite. These omnivorous animals will eat just about anything they can get their hands on, including fruits and vegetables grown by home gardeners. If you’re a tomato-growing enthusiast, you might be wondering whether raccoons would eat your beloved tomato plants. Here’s what you need to know.

Tomatoes: A Raccoon Favorite?

Tomatoes are one of the most popular fruits to grow in home gardens, and they’re a favorite among many different animals, including birds, squirrels, and rabbits. However, raccoons are particularly fond of tomatoes, especially when they’re ripe and juicy. If you’ve ever left a ripe tomato on the vine for a little too long, you know how tempting they can be to hungry wildlife.

What Do Raccoons Eat?

Raccoons are opportunistic eaters, which means they’ll eat pretty much anything they can find. Their diet includes everything from fruits and vegetables to insects, small animals, and even garbage. Some of the foods raccoons commonly eat include:

Fruits such as apples, berries, and grapes

Vegetables such as corn, peas, and beans

Nuts such as acorns and pecans

Insects and other invertebrates

Small animals such as frogs, mice, and birds

Garbage and other human food

How to Keep Raccoons Away from Your Tomato Plants

If you want to keep raccoons from eating your tomato plants, there are a few things you can do. Here are some tips:

Use a physical barrier. You can protect your tomato plants by surrounding them with a physical barrier such as a fence or wire cage. Make sure the barrier extends into the ground to prevent raccoons from digging under it.

Install motion-activated lights or sprinklers. Raccoons are nocturnal animals, so installing motion-activated lights or sprinklers can be an effective way to deter them from your garden.

Use repellents. Some people have success with repellents such as hot pepper spray or predator urine. However, these methods are not always effective and may need to be reapplied frequently.

Harvest your tomatoes promptly. The longer you leave your tomatoes on the vine, the more tempting they become to wildlife. Harvest them promptly when they’re ripe and store them indoors or in a protected area.

Conclusion

Raccoons are known for their love of food, and tomato plants are no exception. If you want to keep raccoons from eating your precious tomato plants, it’s important to take steps to protect them. By using a physical barrier, installing motion-activated lights or sprinklers, using repellents, and harvesting your tomatoes promptly, you can help ensure that your plants stay safe and healthy.