The frustration of nurturing tomato plants only to have the ripening fruit damaged by wildlife is common for home gardeners. Birds and squirrels view the soft, juicy fruit as an easy food source. Preventing this loss requires implementing strategic and layered protection methods that focus on physical exclusion and sensory deterrence. The most successful approach combines robust barriers with localized management practices to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Physical Barriers for Complete Exclusion
The most reliable strategy for protecting tomatoes involves establishing physical barriers that fully deny access. For birds, exclusion netting is highly effective, but the material must have an appropriate mesh size to maximize protection without impeding plant health. A large mesh (19 to 25 millimeters) prevents birds from reaching the fruit while still allowing necessary airflow, sunlight, and pollinating insects to pass through.
Squirrels, being determined chewers, require a more rigid material. Hardware cloth, a woven or welded metal mesh, is the preferred material for constructing full enclosures or wrapping existing tomato cages. The openings should be no larger than 1/2 inch to prevent squirrels from squeezing through. Any squirrel barrier must be secured flush with the ground, or even buried a few inches deep, to prevent animals from digging underneath the enclosure.
Sensory Deterrents and Repellent Strategies
If a complete physical enclosure is not feasible, sensory deterrents can make the tomato patch unwelcoming. For squirrels and other mammals, the taste and smell of capsaicin (the compound that gives chili peppers their heat) is an effective repellent. Homemade or commercial capsaicin sprays can be applied directly to the foliage and developing fruit, though reapplication is necessary after rainfall or overhead watering to maintain the effect.
Birds are primarily deterred by sudden movement and bright visual stimuli. Hanging reflective tape (holographic flash tape) near the plants catches sunlight, producing unpredictable flashes of light as it moves. Similarly, decoy predators, such as plastic owl figures, leverage the birds’ instinctive fear. However, decoys must be relocated every few days, or the birds will quickly acclimate and realize the stationary object poses no threat.
A simple distraction technique is also helpful, especially for birds. Birds often peck at tomatoes not for food, but to access the fruit’s high moisture content to quench their thirst. Strategically placing a bird bath or an alternative source of fresh water away from the tomato patch can draw their attention away. Offering this easier source of hydration significantly reduces exploratory pecks on ripening tomatoes.
Targeted Protection During the Ripening Phase
Protection efforts can be focused on the short window when the fruit is most vulnerable, which is when the color begins to change. One effective method is to remove the fruit before it fully ripens on the vine. Tomatoes can be picked at the “breaker stage,” when the first blush of pink or yellow color appears. This timing ensures the fruit has matured enough for good flavor, but is removed before pests are attracted to the vibrant red color.
Once harvested, breaker-stage tomatoes continue to ripen indoors by producing ethylene gas. They should be stored in a single layer in a ventilated container (such as a paper bag or cardboard box) and kept in a dark area between 55°F and 70°F. Placing an ethylene-producing fruit, like a ripe banana or apple, alongside the tomatoes can speed up the indoor ripening process.
For gardeners who prefer true vine-ripening, localized barriers offer an excellent compromise. Small, breathable organza mesh bags with a drawstring closure can be slipped over individual tomatoes or entire fruit clusters. This material is gentle on the stem, allows necessary light and water to pass through, and creates an immediate physical barrier against pecking birds and curious squirrels. By camouflaging the fruit and preventing contact, these bags allow tomatoes to achieve maximum color and flavor development on the vine.