I have tomato plants in earth boxes- Something is getting the fruit just as it starts to ripen--how do I tell if it is rats, squirrels, or birds and are there any natural repellants?

If the damage to the fruits appears to happen overnight the problem is likely rats. If the damage consists of large bites taken out of the fruit and is happening during the day it is likely squirrel damage. Smaller holes in the fruit could be bird damage although that type of damage could also be from tomato fruit worms.

Most animal repellants cannot be applied directly to an edible crop like tomatoes. Traps and baits can be used to help control rats. Bird netting used over the plants can help to reduce bird damage.

See also these fact sheets:

Control of Roof Rats in Fruit Trees: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw120

Squirrels: http://www.myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/SpeciesInfo_Squirrels.htm  
(from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)




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Last Updated
27th of May, 2010

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