If a squirrel takes a bite

[Bulldog]

Out of a tomato that is not quite ripe yet, is there any way to save it. Can you put a bandage on it?

[zeuspaul]

If you went to a restaurant and they served a salad with tomatoes that rodents had been eating would you eat it?

[Starlight]

Even if it was my only and special tomato, I wouldn't even try and eat it. My concern would be germs. You have a critter that has the potential for getting or carrying rabies, plus who knows what else and all that bacteria same as from bugs has been injected into that tomato.

[heirloomtomaguy]

Thats a tomato that i would let ripen and save seed from. I dont eat veggies/fruits that rodents or birds have popped holes in.

[Worth1]

I eat tomatoes that have been bit by critters all of the time, not dead yet.
The chances of me Getting something are far greater at the super market.
As for saving the tomato I have been able to let them get more ripe some times.
Some times I will just cook with them.
Worth

[dustdevil]

Time to get tough with the tree ratz! I had trouble with chipmunks and rabbits too, so don't rule out that possibility if you don't see the culprit.

Don't eat tainted fruit! Wait for the next tomato.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by dustdevil

Time to get tough with the tree ratz! I had trouble with chipmunks and rabbits too, so don't rule out that possibility if you don't see the culprit.

Don't eat tainted fruit! Wait for the next tomato.

I saw old Foamy the other day.

Worth

[dustdevil]

Originally Posted by Worth1

I saw old Foamy the other day.

Worth

How's he doing? The last time I saw him he was nothing but skin and bones. It seemed like his mind was shot...all the maggots died.

[gorbelly]

The tomato might "scar over" and ripen. Or it might start rotting. Hard to tell.

It's really unlikely that any pathological organism that could hurt us is going to survive for long on a tomato outside the body of an animal. Maybe things like E. coli, norovirus, or salmonella, and those are more likely to be on supermarket tomatoes.

And almost no bad bugs will survive thorough cooking.

People usually don't think twice about washing and eating things that rabbits have nibbled on. Is there a reason we'd think differently about squirrels? Besides, anyone with a garden has probably already eaten plenty of things that rodents and birds have touched and eliminated on.

Originally Posted by Starlight

You have a critter that has the potential for getting or carrying rabies, plus who knows what else and all that bacteria same as from bugs has been injected into that tomato.

Small rodents and rabbits don't really get rabies and have never been recorded transmitting it to humans.

[dmforcier]

Assuming it were ready to eat, I'd cut out the chewed bit and eat the rest. Once the skin is breached, though, don't leave it long.





How you going to develop immunity if you don't got germs?

[swellcat]

It's really unlikely that any pathological organism that could hurt us is going to survive for long on a tomato outside the body of an animal. Maybe things like E. coli, norovirus, or salmonella, and those are more likely to be on supermarket tomatoes.

People usually don't think twice about washing and eating things that rabbits have nibbled on. Is there a reason we'd think differently about squirrels?

I have a new hero: LogicMan.
---

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by gorbelly

The tomato might "scar over" and ripen. Or it might start rotting. Hard to tell.

It's really unlikely that any pathological organism that could hurt us is going to survive for long on a tomato outside the body of an animal. Maybe things like E. coli, norovirus, or salmonella, and those are more likely to be on supermarket tomatoes.

And almost no bad bugs will survive thorough cooking.

People usually don't think twice about washing and eating things that rabbits have nibbled on. Is there a reason we'd think differently about squirrels? Besides, anyone with a garden has probably already eaten plenty of things that rodents and birds have touched and eliminated on.


Small rodents and rabbits don't really get rabies and have never been recorded transmitting it to humans.

^^
THIS.

[My Foot Smells]

saw a story where Asian shrimp farmers have the open vats underneath chicken coops, which totally disgusts me. if you didn't know it wouldn't bother, but since you do, you might throw up in your mouth a little; but that would probably be the extent.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by My Foot Smells

saw a story where Asian shrimp farmers have the open vats underneath chicken coops, which totally disgusts me. if you didn't know it wouldn't bother, but since you do, you might throw up in your mouth a little; but that would probably be the extent.

Why are people so concerned about animals and what they eat before we eat them and feed every nasty thing under the sun to their plants?

I have heard people say they wont eat catfish because they are scavengers but rave about how good the crab or lobster was some place.
Truth of the matter is, catfish are less of a scavenger than most people think.
A crab and a lobster are noting but scavengers.
The crab is also very close relative of the common head louse.

[My Foot Smells]

lived on the coast for several years growing up (Galveston), and I can taste the difference between gulf coast shrimp, and farm raised. As a matter of fact, I can taste the difference in a lot of things in terms of raising practices with regards to animals. Plants I cannot, but the fresher the better.

The chicken houses for Tyson are scattered all over the state and stink like an unbathed hippie. The summertime you can hardly walk into one of those things, and even a drive by will draw comment. They are stuffed in their like sardines and live amongst several dead birds that die from prison conditions, overcrowding, and high heat. The meat is fatty, and not to mention all the growth hormone stuff.

One example of many. Personally, I think it does make a difference with animals and quality of meat. In regards to fish, I'm a snob. There are some water sources I will not eat from........