What is eating my tomato starts? - Ask Extension
For the first time ever, something is chewing the lower stems and leaves off my tomatoes. They are caged and have bird mesh around four sides but not ...
Knowledgebase
What is eating my tomato starts? #752567
Asked May 27, 2021, 3:33 PM EDT
For the first time ever, something is chewing the lower stems and leaves off my tomatoes. They are caged and have bird mesh around four sides but not the top. I assumed it was rabbits hence the mesh around the sides of the cages. We are in a suburban area and the tomatoes are in 2 ft tall raised beds. I did use liquid fence but the little pulses of much needed rain has no doubt diluted it. There are no signs of any digging in the raised bed “soils” so don’t think the critters are coming up thru hard clay into raised bed.
Any other options I should consider, any other preventative barriers I could use?
Thx
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Please send images, namely these:
- the planting bed(s) with the affected plants
- several individual plants with typical damage
- the planting bed(s) with the affected plants
- several individual plants with typical damage
New side stems being nibbled off as soon as they get any decent size. Tops of tomatoes left alone for now
Sent from my iPad
On May 27, 2021, at 3:43 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Please send another view or two, these from a distance, in order to show the beds and their surroundings.
Unfortunately, bird netting has large enough holes to allow easy access by a number of animals, among them birds, rabbits and squirrels, possibly even raccoons. Then, too, small animals can easily go underneath such flexible 'fencing' if it's not secured to the ground.
Fencing effective against rabbits requires “…a 2-foot tall fence, constructed with 1-inch mesh chicken wire and supported by sturdy stakes.”
See further details under the heading "Preventing conflicts" at https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/species-facts/rabbits#.
You might also review the information about "Preventing conflicts" with squirrels at https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/species-facts/tree-squirrels.
Unfortunately, bird netting has large enough holes to allow easy access by a number of animals, among them birds, rabbits and squirrels, possibly even raccoons. Then, too, small animals can easily go underneath such flexible 'fencing' if it's not secured to the ground.
Fencing effective against rabbits requires “…a 2-foot tall fence, constructed with 1-inch mesh chicken wire and supported by sturdy stakes.”
See further details under the heading "Preventing conflicts" at https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/species-facts/rabbits#.
You might also review the information about "Preventing conflicts" with squirrels at https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/species-facts/tree-squirrels.
Thx. Here is surrounding area
Thank you for the new images. You have a nice setting!
So, to summarize, you have 3 tomato plants in one raised bed. As tidy as the area appears, I would suspect squirrels, as they can be rather wily characters. (Unless, of course, you know you have free-loading rabbits in the neighborhood.)
Do you perhaps have access to a motion-activated camera? If so, you could monitor the area for several successive days in hopes of catching the varmints in action. Once we know who it is, we can make specific plans.
So, to summarize, you have 3 tomato plants in one raised bed. As tidy as the area appears, I would suspect squirrels, as they can be rather wily characters. (Unless, of course, you know you have free-loading rabbits in the neighborhood.)
Do you perhaps have access to a motion-activated camera? If so, you could monitor the area for several successive days in hopes of catching the varmints in action. Once we know who it is, we can make specific plans.
Thx, will see what I can do about borrowing motion activated camera. My photos are poor, I raise four tomatoes in one bed and rotate every year to new bed. Have never had this issue since we moved home in 2003 so am frustrated. Damage seems to happen after dark.
Sounds like a plan. Let me know if you find out something new.
