Do Squirrels Eat Tomatoes? How to Guard Your Harvest

Squirrels can be pesky for various reasons, but you might’ve never suspected the bushy-tailed fiend scampering around your garden to be a tomato thief, too.

Squirrels do eat tomatoes, which may be why your slug repellents, bird net coverings, and other defense mechanisms are no longer working to protect your plants.

If you’re looking for ways to keep squirrels from eating your tomato plants and out of your garden, take note of the following signs and solutions.

Do Squirrels Eat Tomatoes?

Tomatoes are one of the many fruits that squirrels like to eat. Squirrels are omnivores and don’t mind foraging through gardens to see what edible treasures are available to them. Most species found in the average backyard have no problem snacking on your tomato plants.

Your tomatoes may have been why squirrels dropped by, but once in the garden, they could be helping themselves to your edible cultivars. Squirrels also love chomping on carrots, sweet potatoes, berries, squash, and flowers, among other things.

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4 Signs Squirrels Ate Your Tomatoes

There are a few signs to look out for that’ll help you determine if it’s squirrels that are munching on your tomatoes:

• There are small to medium holes: If you’re noticing holes or chunks missing out of your tomato fruits, squirrels could be likely culprits.
• Only a few whole tomatoes are missing: Squirrels will usually only eat small chunks out of tomatoes and very occasionally take the whole thing. If all of your tomatoes are missing or there are holes and spots on every piece of fruit, it could be a different pest or issue.
• You’ve been spotting squirrels in your garden: Seeing squirrels in and around the plants in your garden—not just by the bird feeder—means they might be taking advantage of other food sources you have growing there.
• You’ve noticed droppings: If you’re finding small curved pellet-like droppings around your tomato plants, it’s a good indication that squirrels are the pests behind your hole-laden and missing tomatoes.

6 Ways to Prevent Squirrels From Eating Your Tomatoes

Below are six solutions to try if squirrels are eating your tomatoes.

Put Up Fencing

Install fences around your garden plots or areas where edible fruits and vegetables (like tomatoes) grow. While you can invest in fencing around the entirety of your backyard, it’s not necessary. Sectioning one area will at least protect the portion that’s most attractive to squirrels.

Add Nets Around Plants

Like fences, you can also use netting to deter squirrels from nibbling on your tomatoes. Flexible mesh nets, bird netting, and steel mesh can be draped, molded, or installed around tomato plants to help protect them from hungry squirrels. This can help prevent other pests from getting in, too, like birds and rabbits.

Grow Squirrel Repelling Plants

There are some plants, flowers, and vegetables that squirrels don’t like the smell of, which can be beneficial when it comes to protecting more enticing plants like tomatoes.

Strong odors often make these furry rodents keep their distance, so consider planting garlic, onions, and other alliums as well as mint. As for flowering options, marigolds, daffodils, geraniums, and lavender aren’t favorites for squirrels.

Make or Buy Squirrel Repellents

There are several DIY repellents you can make at home. Water solutions with crushed garlic and hot pepper will deter their pesky paws and jaws. You can also purchase squirrel repellents, including sprays and pellets, that will discourage squirrels from eating your plants. There are plenty of humane options on the market that won’t harm them but still keep them away.

Harvest on Time and Keep Your Garden Clear

While it’s not always possible, try to stay on top of harvesting your fruits and vegetables as they ripen so there are fewer enticing options for squirrels. Tomatoes that drop or fall off the vine should be picked up and put into compost piles or used. If they’re left on the ground, it’s just another reason for squirrels to stop by for a meal.

Bring in Motion-Activated Sprinklers

Sprinklers can startle squirrels and change their minds about chewing on your tomatoes. Motion-activated sprinklers can detect when pests like squirrels are nearby and turn on for a quick burst of water. It frightens them away but doesn’t do any long-term damage to the squirrel or your plants.