Protecting tomatoes from the “one biters”.

[Poohtoo8]

Last year I probably threw away two bushels of tomatoes that had one big bite out of them. Any suggestions as to what I can put around my plants to discourage this waste?

We did catch a possum in a trap, but I believe it’s coons, possums and rabbits.

[kath]

Not sure what is biting your tomatoes, but I save torn pieces of summer weight row cover, but it into appropriate sized pieces and attach to each fruit that is about to ripen using yarn, clothespins, etc. Labor intensive but if you don't have too many plants it saves a lot of frustration from losing beautiful tomatoes to bird pecks, etc.

[JerryHaskins]

I saw this discussed a few years ago. Somebody said it was birds pecking tomatoes to get the liquid.

They said that if you put a bird bath near the tomatoes and keep water in it, birds would drink from the bird bath instead of pecking your tomatoes.

I was skeptical but tried it and it seemed to work. I rarely get bird pecked tomatoes nowadays.

[rhoder551]

I use those mesh drawstring bags sold as reusable produce bags. They work great and last several seasons.

I think my tomatoes get bit by rats!! shiver....

[Nan_PA_6b]

I had a critter eating a bite or two out of every low-hanging fruit that blushed. I put one in an organza bag. It, too, was removed from the plant, and bite marks all over it. The critter (rabbit, I found out) didn't get to eat it, but mangled it nonetheless.

A good fence with no gaps works.

Nan

[GrowingCoastal]

Originally Posted by rhoder551

I use those mesh drawstring bags sold as reusable produce bags. They work great and last several seasons.

I think my tomatoes get bit by rats!! shiver....

Yes. Works for me too. I bleach the mesh bags at season's end and reuse next year.

[ScottinAtlanta]

I use quart plastic bags with the zip. Just one zip and you are done. Fastest approach ever.

[FourOaks]

If its a 4 legged critter, you could try Blood Meal.

[Nan_PA_6b]

Blood meal may attract some critters, such as raccoons or rats.

Nan

[brownrexx]

Blood meal definitely attracted some kind of digging critter to my plants last year. I think that it was a skunk but they can dig up your whole plant while they are trying to get to the blood meal. I would not use that.

[Worth1]

Old socks.

Worth

[Poohtoo8]

Could you explain to me what you meant by old socks please?

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by Poohtoo8

Could you explain to me what you meant by old socks please?

I dont throw away old socks.
I put them over the prized tomatoes until they get ripe.
Nothing bothers them birds deer or anything and they stretch.

A smelly sock will run the deer away.

Worth

[SueCT]

Problem is, not sure I would eat a tomato you pulled out of a smelly sock.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by SueCT

Problem is, not sure I would eat a tomato you pulled out of a smelly sock.

A smelly sock tomato in the hand beats two non smelly sock tomatoes in a deer's mouth.

Worth