How To Protect Tomatoes From Animals

If you’re growing tomatoes, you’ve probably faced the frustrating problem of animals eating your crop. Learning how to protect tomatoes from animals is essential for any gardener who wants to enjoy their harvest. Birds, squirrels, rabbits, and even deer see your garden as a free buffet. But with a few simple strategies, you can keep your tomatoes safe without resorting to harsh methods.

This guide offers practical, easy-to-implement tips. We’ll cover physical barriers, natural deterrents, and smart garden habits. You don’t need fancy equipment or a big budget. Often, the most effective solutions are the simplest ones. Let’s get started so you can finally enjoy the fruits of your labor.

This is your main line of defense. Creating a physical barrier between the animal and your plants is the most reliable method. It directly addresses the problem by preventing access. While it requires some initial setup, it saves you countless hours of worry and lost produce.

Use Sturdy Fencing for Large Pests

For deer and large rabbits, a good fence is your best investment. Deer can jump high, so your fence needs to be tall.

For deer: Install a fence at least 8 feet tall. A slanted fence can also be effective, as deer are less likely to jump something if they can’t judge the landing.
For rabbits: Use chicken wire or hardware cloth. Bury the bottom at least 6 inches deep and bend it outward to stop them from digging underneath. The above-ground part should be 2-3 feet high.
Electric fencing is another option for persistent deer. A single strand at 30 inches high can work well.

Cage Your Plants Individually

Tomato cages are great for support, but they arn’t enough to stop animals. You need to reinforce them.

Wrap cages in bird netting or hardware cloth with small holes (1/2 inch or less). This keeps out birds and squirrels.
Make sure the netting is taut and secured at the bottom. Loose netting can trap birds or small animals, causing harm.
For a cheap DIY cage, use concrete reinforcing wire. Form it into a cylinder and secure it around your plant.

Employ Netting and Row Covers

Bird netting is a lightweight, inexpensive solution specifically for birds and squirrels. Drape it over your plants or a support structure, ensuring it doesn’t touch the fruit where birds can peck through.

Row covers made of lightweight fabric (floating row covers) protect against birds and insects while letting in light and water. They are excellent for young plants but may need to be removed for pollination if used during flowering (though tomatoes are largely self-pollinating).

Try Cloches for Seedlings

Young tomato plants are especially vulnerable. A cloche is a protective cover you place over individual seedlings.

You can buy glass or plastic cloches.
Make your own from clear plastic bottles. Just cut off the bottom and place the bottle over the plant, pressing it slightly into the soil. Remember to remove the cap for ventilation.

Natural Deterrents and Distractions

If physical barriers aren’t fully practical, you can try to make your garden less appealing. These methods work by targeting an animal’s senses—smell, taste, or sight. They are often best used in combination with other tactics for a stronger effect.

Scare Tactics That Move

Animals are wary of unexpected movement. Simple, moving objects can scare them away for a short time.

Hang old CDs, reflective tape, or aluminum pie plates near your plants. The flashing light disorients birds.
Pinwheels or windsocks add movement and color.
Scarecrows are classic, but you need to move them every few days so animals don’t get used to them. Change its clothes or position regularly.

Use Smells and Tastes They Dislike

Many animals have sensitive noses. You can use strong scents to mask the smell of your tomatoes.

Sprinkle cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes around plants. Reapply after rain.
Commercial repellent sprays use smells like garlic, eggs, or predator urine (like coyote or fox). These need frequent reapplication.
Planting strong-smelling herbs like basil, mint, or marigolds around your tomato patch can help confuse pests. This is a great companion planting strategy.

Offer a Sacrificial Crop

Sometimes, the best defense is a polite offering. Planting something animals like more than tomatoes can save your main crop.

For example, sunflowers or a separate patch of cherry tomatoes at the edge of your garden might distract birds and squirrels. They’ll focus on the easy meal and leave your prized beefsteaks alone.

Smart Garden Habits

How you maintain your garden can make it more or less attractive to wildlife. Good garden hygiene removes incentives for animals to visit in the first place.

Keep Your Garden Clean

Fallen, overripe, or damaged fruit is a major attractant. It sends a signal that food is available.

Check your plants daily and pick ripe tomatoes promptly.
Immediately remove any rotten fruit from the ground or the vine.
Clear away plant debris and weeds where small animals might hide.

Secure Compost and Water Sources

Compost bins and standing water attract all kinds of animals. Make sure your compost bin has a secure lid. Avoid leaving out bowls of water for pets if you can, as it draws wildlife too.

Get a Garden Guardian

A pet can be a wonderful deterrent. The presence of a dog, even just its scent, can keep many animals away. Some cats are excellent at controlling rodents. Of course, this only works if you already wanted a pet and can care for it properly.

Step-by-Step Protection Plan

Here is a simple action plan you can follow at the start of the season.

Identify the Culprit: Look for signs like bite marks, dug-up soil, or droppings to know which animal you’re dealing with.
Start at Planting: Place a DIY bottle cloche or cutworm collar on each seedling. Install sturdy stakes or cages early.
Build the Barrier: As plants grow, reinforce cages with netting or install a perimeter fence based on your pest.
Add Deterrents: Place a few moving scare devices and apply a natural repellent spray. Reapply repellent weekly.
Maintain Diligently: Harvest tomatoes as soon as they’re ripe. Keep the area clean of fallen fruit and debris.

FAQ: Protecting Tomato Plants

What is eating my tomatoes at night?
Likely culprits are hornworms (caterpillars), slugs, snails, or nocturnal animals like raccoons or possums. Look for large chunks missing (animals) or stripped leaves and dark droppings (hornworms).

How do I keep squirrels from eating my tomatoes?
Squirrels are tricky. Use physical barriers like netting over cages. Try hanging pinwheels or applying a cayenne pepper spray directly on the fruit (wash before eating).

Will coffee grounds keep animals away from tomatoes?
Coffee grounds can deter slugs and snails due to their texture. Their effect on larger animals like rabbits or deer is minimal, though the strong smell might offer some temporary help.

What can I put around my tomato plants to keep bugs and animals away?
A combination of crushed eggshells (for slugs), marigolds (for nematodes and some insects), and a ring of hardware cloth buried around the plant base (for digging animals) provides layered protection.

How do I protect my tomato plants from birds?
Bird netting is the most effective. Ensure it’s properly secured. Reflective tape or old CDs can also provide a good scare for a while.

Protecting your tomatoes requires observation and a bit of experimentation. Start with the simplest, least expensive method, like netting or a homemade spray. Often, you’ll need to combine two tactics, like a fence plus a clean garden. Don’t get discouraged if one thing doesn’t work; just try another. The goal is to enjoy your homegrown tomatoes, and with these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to a successful, animal-free harvest. Remember, persistence is key, and a little effort goes a long way in the garden.