Ripe tomatoes are a rewarding sight for gardeners, but they can also attract bears. Understanding what draws bears to gardens is the first step in protecting cultivated spaces and fostering coexistence.
Do Bears Eat Tomatoes? The Direct Answer
Bears, especially black bears (Ursus americanus), are omnivores, meaning their diet consists of both plants and animals. They are highly opportunistic feeders, adapting their food sources based on seasonal availability. This adaptability means cultivated produce, including tomatoes, can become part of their diet.
While their natural diet includes grasses, berries, nuts, insects, and carrion, bears readily consume garden vegetables and fruits. Black bears are commonly found where human development overlaps their habitats, making them the species most likely to consume garden-grown tomatoes.
Why Tomatoes Appeal to Bears
Tomatoes appeal to bears due to their nutritional characteristics and accessibility. Ripe tomatoes offer a sweet taste, high water content, and valuable calories, making them an attractive food source. These qualities provide bears with readily digestible energy, which is particularly important during hyperphagia in late summer and fall, when they build fat reserves for hibernation.
Bears possess an exceptional sense of smell, allowing them to detect food sources from significant distances. This keen olfactory ability enables them to easily locate vegetable gardens, which represent concentrated and easily obtainable food. Human expansion into bear habitats has increased the proximity between bears and gardens, contributing to their foraging behavior in cultivated areas.
Protecting Your Garden from Bear Visitors
Protecting a garden from bear visitors involves strategies to deter access to cultivated plants. Electric fencing is a highly effective method, providing a non-lethal shock that teaches bears to avoid the area. A properly installed electric fence should have multiple strands, with the lowest wire about 6 inches from the ground and subsequent wires spaced 4 to 8 inches apart, delivering at least 5,000 volts.
Beyond fencing, managing attractants is paramount. Harvest ripe produce promptly and remove any fallen fruit or vegetables. Secure compost bins, ensuring they do not contain meat, sweet scraps, or other odorous items that can draw bears. Store pet food indoors, remove bird feeders during active bear seasons, and thoroughly clean barbecue grills after each use to eliminate tempting scents.