Do Groundhogs Eat Tomatoes

If you’ve found your prized tomato plants stripped bare overnight, you might be asking a very specific question: do groundhogs eat tomatoes? Yes, they absolutely do, and with a voracious appetite that can clear a garden in no time. These garden-loving rodents are a common nuisance for anyone trying to grow their own food. This guide will help you understand why they target your tomatoes and, more importantly, how to stop them for good.

We’ll cover everything from identifying groundhog damage to implementing the most effective fences and repellents. You’ll learn humane removal tactics and long-term strategies to protect your harvest. Let’s get started.

Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are herbivores. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, weeds, and clover. But when they discover a cultivated garden, they see a buffet. Tender, juicy tomatoes are a high-value target for them, especially as the fruits begin to ripen.

They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. You might not see them, but the evidence they leave is clear. They will eat both the fruit and the leaves of your tomato plants. A single groundhog can cause a staggering amount of damage in a very short time.

Why Tomatoes Are a Target

Tomatoes are soft, full of water, and easy to eat. For a groundhog, they are a convenient and nutritious meal. The plants themselves also provide cover while they feed. If you have other favorites like beans, peas, or squash, they’ll likely eat those too.

Signs a Groundhog is Eating Your Tomatoes

Large, clean bites taken out of ripe or green tomatoes, often leaving the rest of the fruit on the vine.
Entire small tomatoes missing without a trace.
Chewed leaves and stems, with rough cuts from their sharp incisors.
Presence of a burrow entrance near the garden, usually marked by a pile of fresh dirt.
Footprints with four clawed toes on the front and five on the back.

The Most Effective Fencing Solutions

A properly built fence is the single best way to protect your tomato garden from groundhogs. They are both excellent climbers and persistent diggers, so your fence must address both threats.

How to Build a Groundhog-Proof Fence

Use sturdy wire mesh with openings no larger than 2×4 inches. Chicken wire often isn’t strong enough.
The fence should be at least 3 feet tall above ground to prevent climbing.
Bend the top foot of the fencing outward at a 45-degree angle to act as a climbing deterrent. They are less likely to climb over an unstable, overhanging section.
To stop digging, bury the bottom of the fence at least 12 inches deep. Alternatively, bend the bottom foot outward underground in an “L” shape, facing away from the garden.
Secure gates tightly, as any gap is an invitation. Consider a spring to ensure it closes automatically.

Humane Trapping and Relocation

If a groundhog is already established, trapping might be necessary. Always check your local wildlife regulations before attempting to trap and relocate any animal. Relocation is often illegal without a permit and can be a death sentence for the animal in an unfamiliar territory.

Safe Trapping Steps

Use a large, live trap (cage trap) baited with fresh tomato slices, cantaloupe, or lettuce.
Place the trap directly at the burrow entrance or along their well-worn path to the garden.
Camouflage the trap with light brush and check it frequently, at least twice a day.
Wear thick gloves when handling the trap. A trapped groundhog is frightened and may bite.
Relocate the animal only if permitted, choosing a suitable habitat far from human dwellings (often 5+ miles away).

Natural Repellents and Deterrents

Repellents can be helpful, especially as a first line of defense or in combination with other methods. They work by making your tomatoes taste or smell bad to the groundhog.

Commercial Repellents: Look for products containing capsaicin (hot pepper) or putrescent egg solids. Reapply after rain.
Homemade Sprays: A mix of blended hot peppers, garlic, and water, strained and sprayed on plants, can offer temporary protection.
Predator Urine: Granules or liquid coyote or fox urine around the garden perimeter can create a fear response.
Strong-Smelling Plants: Planting garlic, onions, or marigolds around your tomatoes might provide a mild deterrent, but is rarely sufficient alone.

Modifying Their Habitat

Making your yard less inviting is a key long-term strategy. Groundhogs need cover and a safe place to live. By removing these, you encourage them to move elsewhere.

Fill in any abandoned burrows in the fall when you are sure they are empty.
Remove brush piles, tall grass, and wood stacks near the garden.
Keep the area around your garden mowed and open so they feel exposed.

When to Call a Professional

If the problem persists despite your efforts, or if the groundhog’s burrow is threatening a structure like a shed or deck, call a licensed wildlife control operator. They have the expertise and tools to resolve the situation safely and in compliance with local laws. This can save you alot of time and frustration in the long run.

Protecting Young Tomato Plants

Seedlings and young transplants are especially vulnerable. For these, consider individual protective covers.

Use sturdy plastic cloches or cut the bottoms off large plastic jugs to place over each young plant.
Surround small plants with a cylinder of hardware cloth sunk into the soil.
These barriers can be removed once the plants are larger and more established, though the fruit will still need protection.

Companion Planting Myths and Realities

While companion planting is wonderful for pollination and pest control, relying on it alone to deter groundhogs is usually ineffective. They are bold animals driven by hunger. A border of “deterrent” herbs is unlikely to stop them if they’re already committed to raiding your garden. View companion planting as a supportive practice, not a primary solution.

Seasonal Timing of Groundhog Activity

Understanding their yearly cycle helps you be proactive. Groundhogs are true hibernators. They emerge in early spring, very hungry. Mating season follows, and by early summer, females have pups to feed. This is when garden damage peaks—from late spring through the entire harvest season. They begin to fatten up in late summer before returning to hibernation in late fall.

Your defenses should be in place by early spring, before they establish their feeding routes. A fence installed after they’ve already found the tomatoes is less effective, as they will work harder to bypass it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using flimsy fencing that they can push through or climb over easily.
Assuming repellents are a “set it and forget it” solution. They require consistent reapplication.
Relocating an animal without knowing the laws, which can result in fines.
Waiting too long to act. A groundhog family will grow and the problem will multiply.
Leaving gaps under gates or where fencing meets posts. They will find and exploit any weakness.

Long-Term Garden Planning

If groundhogs are a constant battle, consider dedicating a space for a permanent, enclosed garden structure. A simple hoop house covered in mesh or a fully fenced garden plot becomes a routine part of your garden layout. This is the most reliable way to enjoy tomatoes and other susceptible crops without annual worry. The initial investment pays for itself in saved produce and peace of mind.

FAQs: Groundhogs and Tomato Gardens

Do groundhogs eat green tomatoes?

Yes, they will eat both green and ripe tomatoes. They are not picky, especially when other food sources are scarce.

What other vegetables do groundhogs eat?

They prefer legumes like beans and peas, and also enjoy carrots, lettuce, broccoli, and squash. They eat many common garden crops.

Will a dog or cat keep groundhogs away?

A dog that spends time in the yard can be an excellent deterrent. The scent and presence of a predator often keeps groundhogs at bay. Cats are less reliable against an animal as large as a groundhog.

How deep do groundhog burrows go?

Their burrow systems are extensive, often 2 to 5 feet deep and can stretch 20 feet or more in lenght. They have multiple chambers for sleeping, nesting, and waste.

Do ultrasonic repellents work on groundhogs?

Evidence is largely anecdotal. Most gardeners find them ineffective. Groundhogs often become accustomed to the sound, and the devices can affect other benign or helpful wildlife.

Will mothballs or ammonia in the burrow work?

This is not recommended. These substances can pollute the soil and groundwater, and are often illegal to use for pest control. They are also cruel and rarely provide more than a temporary fix.

Can I just harvest my tomatoes early?

You can pick tomatoes when they begin to show color (the “breaker stage”) and ripen them indoors. This can save some fruit, but the groundhog may then simply eat the leaves and stems, killing the plant anyway.

Protecting your tomatoes from groundhogs requires a persistent and multi-layered approach. Start with a strong fence, reinforce it with repellents and habitat modification, and be prepared to take further action if needed. By understanding the habits of these garden-loving animals, you can implement strategies that work. With the right protections in place, you can look forward to a bountiful, undisturbed tomato harvest season after season.