Do Possums Eat Tomatoes

If you’ve ever walked into your garden to find half-eaten, gnawed tomatoes, you might be wondering who the culprit is. Do possums eat tomatoes? The answer is a resounding yes, and these nocturnal marsupials are often the unexpected garden visitors behind the damage.

Seeing your prized tomatoes ruined is frustrating. But before you declare war, it’s helpful to understand why possums are in your garden and how to manage them effectively. This guide will give you practical, humane strategies to protect your harvest.

Possums are opportunistic omnivores, which means they eat a wide variety of foods. Your vegetable garden, especially ripe tomatoes, is an easy and attractive buffet for them. They are particularly drawn to the sweet, juicy flesh of tomatoes just as they reach peak ripeness.

They typically feed at night, so you’ll rarely see them in the act. The evidence is clear in the morning: tomatoes with large, messy bites taken out, often still hanging on the vine. They might also knock fruits to the ground.

Why Your Garden is a Possum Target

Your garden provides three things possums need: food, water, and shelter. Urban development has reduced their natural habitat, making well-tended gardens a prime target.

Easy Meals: Tomatoes, berries, lettuce, and roses are favorite snacks.
Water Sources: Bird baths, pet water bowls, and even dripping hoses provide drink.
Shelter Options: Dense shrubs, woodpiles, sheds, and attics offer safe places to sleep during the day.

Identifying Possum Damage vs. Other Pests

It’s easy to blame possums, but other animals like raccoons, rats, or birds might be responsible. Here’s how to tell the difference.

Signs of a Possum Problem

Large, irregular bite marks on fruits and vegetables.
Damage occurs overnight.
You may find droppings that are dark, cylindrical, and slightly pointed at the ends.
Noise on the roof or in walls at night.

Common Look-Alike Damage

Raccoons: Often do more destructive, wholesale harvesting, sometimes breaking plants.
Birds: Peck small holes in tomatoes.
Rats and Squirrels: Leave smaller, neater gnaw marks and may take smaller fruits entirely.

Humane and Effective Deterrent Strategies

The goal is to make your garden less appealing, not to harm the possum. They play a beneficial role in the ecosystem by eating snails, slugs, and insects.

Physical Barriers: The Most Reliable Method

Blocking access is your best bet for protecting valuable plants.

Use sturdy fencing at least 4 feet high. Bury the bottom 6-12 inches or bend it outward to prevent digging.
Install individual plant cages or cloches around your tomato plants.
Wrap fruit trees with metal sheeting (at least 2 feet wide) around the trunk to prevent climbing.

Natural Repellents and Scents

Possums have a strong sense of smell. You can use this to your advantage, though these methods often need frequent reapplication, especially after rain.

Garlic and Chili Spray: Blend garlic cloves and chili peppers with water, strain, and spray on plants.
Commercial Predator Urine: Available at garden centers, it can create the illusion of a threat.
Strong-Smelling Soaps: Hang bars of Irish Spring soap near gardens (pierce to let rain release scent).

Environmental Modifications

Make your yard less hospitable by removing attractions and possum highways.

Pick ripe fruit and vegetables promptly. Don’t leave fallen fruit on the ground.
Secure compost bins with tight-fitting lids.
Trim tree branches that overhang your roof or provide access to garden beds.
Remove brush piles and seal off openings under decks and sheds.

What to Do About a Possum Living on Your Property

If a possum has taken up residence, eviction needs to be done carefully. Always check local wildlife regulations before taking action.

Wait until dusk, when the possum has left to forage, then securely block its entry point back into the den.
Provide an alternative exit if you suspect it’s inside—never trap one inside a wall or attic.
Use a bright light or a radio talk loudly in the denning area during the day to encourage it to leave.
Contact a licensed wildlife removal professional for assistance if needed.

Long-Term Coexistence and Prevention

A completely possum-free garden is hard to achieve, but a managed one is possible. Focus on making your main veggie patch a fortress while tolerating their presence in other areas.

Consider planting a “sacrificial” crop of sunflowers or a few tomato plants at the edge of your property to distract them from your main garden. Providing a water source away from your vegetables can also help keep them occupied elsewhere.

Remember, possums are transient. They often move on if food becomes scarse, so consistent deterrence for a few weeks can encourage them to find a easier food source.

Common Myths About Possums

Let’s clear up some misconceptions that might shape your approach.

Myth 1: Possums are Aggressive and Dangerous

They are generally shy and non-confrontational. Their famous “playing dead” response is proof they prefer avoidance. They rarely carry rabies due to their low body temperature.

Myth 2: They are Major Disease Spreaders

While they can carry parasites like fleas, the risk to humans is relatively low if you don’t handle them. Always wear gloves if cleaning up possum droppings.

Myth 3: Poison is an Effective Solution

Poison is cruel, illegal for wildlife in many areas, and dangerous to pets and children. It can also cause secondary poisoning in animals that eat the dead possum.

FAQ: Your Quick Questions Answered

What other vegetables do possums eat?

Besides tomatoes, possums are fond of sweet corn, lettuce, strawberries, and many types of fruit. They’ll sample almost anything.

Will a possum keep coming back?

Yes, if it found a reliable food source and safe shelter, it will return nightly until you make changes to disrupt that routine.

Are possums good for anything in the garden?

Absolutely! They are nature’s clean-up crew, consuming thousands of ticks, slugs, snails, and even small rodents. This pest control service is beneficial.

What time of night are possums most active?

They typically leave their den shortly after dusk to forage and are most active in the early hours of the evening. They usualy return to their shelter by dawn.

Do lights or sound devices scare possums away?

Motion-activated lights or sprinklers can startle them and provide temporary relief. Ultrasonic devices have mixed reviews and their effectiveness is often limited.

Is it safe to have a possum in my yard?

For most people, yes. Just ensure pets are vaccinated and don’t try to interact with it. Enjoy watching from a distance as they perform their nightly pest patrol.

Dealing with possums in the garden requires patience and persistence. By combining physical barriers with habitat modification, you can significantly reduce damage to your tomatoes. The key is to act consistently before they establish a strong routine. With these strategies, you can protect your harvest while still appreciating the role these unique creatures play in our local environment.