Good thing my tomatoes are at an end

[China_cat]

I had only put in 6 plants in containers and got about a bushel off those (quite a surprise that I got that many) and there have been only a couple left ripening and maybe 3 or 4 green ones left. But when I checked this morning, the 2 that were ripe were chewed into, one of them half gone.

I know we've got some big bugs around here but I've never seen any of them leave toothmarks, so I think maybe squirrels got these last tomatoes. Kind of surprising that they didn't get into them sooner.

[japple]

1. Sometimes birds will get them. Mockingbirds, in particular,

seem to like pecking holes in tomatoes that have just begun to ripen. I was out in the garden earlier today, and the mockers were raising hell all around me. I threatened them, and they settled down. We actually have a pretty good relationship, even if they do terrorize the cats.

[China_cat]

2. No, I'm not talking holes, I'm talking 'bites'

and I've never seen a mockingbird with teeth. :9

Not big enough to be the possum that lives out back so I'm pretty sure it was a squirrel.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. Squirrels nibble on my tomatoes.

Not many, because they don't really like them, but enough to convince the acorn-brained rodents that they aren't tasty fruit like plums or persimmons.

[japple]

3. Chipmunks, maybe?

[China_cat]

5. Not in lower SC, unfortunately.

I love the little buggers and haven't seen any in years (never here) and then only in northern climes.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. maybe a cat?

mine loves lettuce. :)

[karlrschneider]

7. Ours are just recently ripening, got very lucky this year!

Rain has been WAY above normal but it doesn't seem to have hurt them...I'm getting huge 'maters...most over 12 ounces and luckily no critters have gotten to them.

[bearfan454]

8. I have a big problem with birds eating mine.

They peck the tomato and then wait for the bugs to show up.

[Imalittleteapot]

9. Our squirrels and dogs

love tomatoes and have had a good time with the potted ones on a balcony. I noticed Blue Jays hanging around the other day but never saw them actually on the plants. There was a Black Krim that had huge bites that the Question Mark Butterflies were attacted to. I enjoy the antics and happily give up a few tomatoes for the critters.