How to Keep Chipmunks and Squirrels From Eating Tomatoes

Squirrels and chipmunks can ruin your garden.

Squirrels and chipmunks often search homes, lawns and gardens for a supply of food. If the pests locate food in your garden, they will remove the fruit and even eat the young tomato seedlings. The critters can also leave uneaten produce on the ground and cause it to spoil, which can attract other creatures to your garden. Protect your tomato crops by keeping the squirrels and chipmunks away from your garden with humane methods.

Things You'll Need

• Tomato cages
• Garden stakes
• Bird netting
• String
• Chicken wire
• Cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Place tomato cages around the tomato plants. Select taller cages for vining tomatoes and shorter ones for the bush variety. Place four stakes around the tomato cages approximately 3 to 4 inches away from the cages and slightly taller than the cages. Wrap the stakes and cages with bird netting to cover the top. Secure the netting with string. Cover the cage with chicken wire if the squirrels chew through the bird netting. Cages need secured to the ground and the holes in the chicken wire need to remain under 2 inches in size to keep the pests away, according to New Jersey Online.

2. Move bird feeders or pet foods away from your tomato garden. Squirrels and chipmunks will invade your yard to enjoy the food and then they may begin stealing plants and produce from your garden. Keep bird feeders at least 15 feet away from the garden for best results.

3. Removing hiding spots in the garden to keep chipmunks away from your crops. Shade, rocks and piles of wood are all location where chipmunks are likely to hide.

4. Sprinkle cayenne pepper or use a hot pepper spray around the tomato plants. Capsaicin, found in hot peppers, irritates the sensitive noses of squirrels and chipmunks.

5. Remove water sources to discourage squirrels and chipmunks. Leaking hoses and standing water are attractive to the pests.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid trapping or killing squirrels without a permit or license. Always check with your state laws to prevent breaking the law and injuring the critters.

References

• Humane Society; Solving Problems with Chipmunks; October 2009
• Hobby Farms; Keep Squirrels Away from the Garden; August 2007
• North Dakota State University; Questions on Squirrels; Ron Smith
• University of Vermont Extension; Chipmunks in the Garden; Dr. Leonard Perry
• New Jersey Online; Squirrel Proofing Your Tomatoes; April 2009