Get ready to defend your tomatoes from squirrels with these tips.
(and maybe saying a few choice words).
The short answer is yes; squirrels do find tomatoes to be a tasty snack.
Credit:Getty Images / Julien C
They usuallywait until the produce is perfectly ripebefore taking a bite.
Get to know these rodents' habits and protect your produce with these tips.
Both squirrels are primarily active during the day and regularly forage on ripe produce.
Credit:Marty Ross
Ground Squirrels
Ground squirrels are smaller than tree squirrels and dont have a bushy tail.
Some types have white and brown stripes.
Ground squirrels live in colonies, building burrows withextensive tunnels2 to 6 feet underground.
Tree Squirrels
Tree squirrels spend most of their time above the garden in trees.
They descend to the garden to feed during daylight hours.
Tree squirrels are attracted to ripe produce; they usuallypass by a green, unripe tomatowithout a second look.
Their diet changes weekly based on what’s on nature’s menu.
It’s impossible to contain roving squirrels, but you could create a critter-free area around your prized tomatoes.
Use heavy-duty hardware cloth to build a cage around tomato plants.
Thwarting tree squirrels from sampling tomatoes involves building a cage that envelops the entire plant.
Several commercial repellants are available to deter squirrels from munching on plants.
The repellants work to varying degrees of success and must be reapplied after rain.
Peppermint andhot pepperare common repellant ingredients.
Be sure the repellant is safe to use around produce.
Natural predators such as snakes, hawks, and owls help control the squirrel population.
Snakes are especially effective at keeping ground squirrel communities at a reasonable level.
Welcome these visitors into your garden byproviding wildlife habitat.
Employ the family pet.
Both cats anddogs can be effective squirrel deterrents.
Just your pet’s scent in the garden is sometimes enough of a threat to scare squirrels away.
And dogs often love chasing away squirrels that dare enter their territory.
Get a professional involved.
Professional pest companies often offerrodent controlservices.
Inquire with your local company about trapping and relocating squirrels.
Fumigation is also a control option for ground squirrels in some areas.
The adage when you cant beat em, join em applies here.
Its nearly impossible to completely prevent squirrels from occasionally taking a bite out of a tomato or other produce.
Skunks bring the double-whammy of theirterrible odorused to protect themselves and their fondness for corn and compost piles.
For help with insects infesting your produce,use this guide.
