Squirrels eating tomatoes

[melk]

We have some tomato plants up on our deck and the squirrels have been known to creep up there and take bites of them. Is there anything I can do to keep them away? (Aside from a bb gun, which my neighbor suggested!!)

 

[Gagirl69]

I don't know what to do either. The squirrels just started eating my fil's corn. They actually pull it off the the stalk, shuck it and eat it. It makes him so mad. Last year while we were gone to the beach, they ate our strawberry plant that was on our deck. Stupid squirrels.

 

[melk]

I don't know what to do either. The squirrels just started eating my fil's corn. They actually pull it off the the stalk, shuck it and eat it. It makes him so mad. Last year while we were gone to the beach, they ate our strawberry plant that was on our deck. Stupid squirrels.

They're awful, aren't they?

I was hoping someone might know of some natural deterrent I could use.

 

[FloraFauna]

Do you have a dog or cat? They could chase them off.

 

[HighClass]

Aw....I love my squirrels!

 

[laughinplace199]

Squirrels are evil! We had a major problem with them when we moved into our house. The previous owner used to feed them, so they grew accustomed to finding food at our house. They were everywhere - burrowing in our gutters and climbing up our drainpipes. One day, my next door neighbor called me to tell me that the squirrels were eating my American flag! Sure enough, I went onto the front porch and they were sitting on the flag pole and eating the fabric of the flag. We called a pest control company to get rid of them. They used Have a Heart traps to catch them. I think the squirrels secretly had a deal with this company because the squirrels would be gone for 30 days (there was a 30 day guarantee) and at day 31, they would be back. We finally got sick of paying the company (and the squirrels with whom they had a deal) and bought our own traps. It took a while, but they eventually moved on. Maybe to your house. Good luck. I hope you are squirrel-free soon!

 

[Golf4food]

We have some tomato plants up on our deck and the squirrels have been known to creep up there and take bites of them. Is there anything I can do to keep them away? (Aside from a bb gun, which my neighbor suggested!!)

Besides the BB gun there is:

.22 Rifle
Colt .45
Shotgun
Black Powder Rifle (live out your Davy Crockett fantasies!)
Flame Thrower
Grenades painted like acorns (could get messy)
Electric Tasers (torture the little tree rats!)

 

[Explodo]

I saw a story the other day about a lady hanging red shiney christmas balls in her plants. The animals would come and try to eat them...discover they were artificial, then leave. After a week or so, when the real fruit started to appear, the animals would leave them alone.

Wierd...but it's working for us right now.

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

Well, gee whiz, OP; you just burst my bubble!!

Our grandson got a lovely tomato plant from cub scouts several years ago & we didn't have a spot for it. So, we got a large pot & put it in the sun by the garage. Lo & behold a bite was taken out of each GREEN tomato!! We figured it was rabbits or chipmunks/ground squirrels so this year we put the big pot on the deck table thinking that would be a safe spot. The rabbits & chipmunks/ground squirrels won't be able to get up there but the gray stinkers sure will be able to. Darn those critters! Eat all our bird seed & now take our tomatoes too????

I like the idea of red christmas balls hanging on the plant before the real fruit ripens. Think I'll try that. Good luck keeping your tomatoes safe this year!

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I saw a story the other day about a lady hanging red shiney christmas balls in her plants. The animals would come and try to eat them...discover they were artificial, then leave. After a week or so, when the real fruit started to appear, the animals would leave them alone.

Wierd...but it's working for us right now.

I am heading down to my basement now to pull out the Christmas decorations!!

 

[disneyhand]

My neighbor swears by cayenne pepper. I think she just sprinkles it on top of the soil. Claims it keeps pests away. I just tried it last weekend, we'll have to see what happens next, or would that be hopefully what doesn't happen next....

 

[yeartolate]

Aw....I love my squirrels!

We do to. We have a window squirrel feeder and a bungee feeder for the squirrels. The cats have a blast watching them from inside the front window.


That being said...we always keep a lot of catnip plants in the back. They are all in proximity to the vegetable raised beds.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think the chipmunks eat ours. If you grow enough, it won't matter.

 

[diesel]

Try putting netting over the plants. They should sell it at your local garden store. I have to net all of my garden from deer. I've had no problems since using this.