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Post by tucsontomato on Jun 13, 2011 17:57:23 GMT -5
Okay- Why do squirrels always eat the biggest tomatoes?  (This is more of a philosophical question). I had a beautiful green 'mater that was destined to be my first above 1 pound then one chunk at a time it was devoured by a ravenous beast. Living in the city and having seen a squirrel in my yard before- a squirrel was most likely the culprit. Now he/she is on to the next biggest! |
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jcm05
Administrator
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Post by jcm05 on Jun 13, 2011 18:57:13 GMT -5
tree rats
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Post by materhater on Jun 13, 2011 19:29:03 GMT -5
It's just like a 1 1/2 thick t-bone steak and a burger...  |
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swampr
Global Moderator
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Post by swampr on Jun 13, 2011 20:28:41 GMT -5
Note to self, wrap the least desirable green tomatoes in bacon.
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Post by willyswoodpile on Jun 13, 2011 23:56:12 GMT -5
I wouldn't think it would be a squirrel off hand. More like a raccoon or possum, or them dudes on the Chronicles of Riddick that move through the underverse super-fast.
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Post by tucsontomato on Jun 14, 2011 13:21:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the laughs everyone. I really needed that.
As for other possibilities:
No racoons or possums in my area.
Tree Rats? Whatever it is- it comes both day and night! Do Tree Rats do that?
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jcm05
Administrator
Posts: 1,685
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Post by jcm05 on Jun 14, 2011 14:38:13 GMT -5
Tree rats aka squirrels ;D
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Post by blackthumb on Jun 15, 2011 11:22:26 GMT -5
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Post by klorentz on Jun 15, 2011 13:33:51 GMT -5
I wouldn't think it would be a squirrel off hand. More like a raccoon or possum, or them dudes on the Chronicles of Riddick that move through the underverse super-fast. Don't count the tree rats out. Had that problem of and on in Ohio. Kevin |
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Post by willyswoodpile on Jun 16, 2011 0:41:44 GMT -5
Tree rats aka squirrels ;D A "Tree Rat" making a nutty salsa? |
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Post by tucsontomato on Jun 17, 2011 23:12:22 GMT -5
Thank you so much for the idea Blackthumb. I put out some water- now I'll just have to wait and see what happens (fingers crossed).
I'm glad you guys kept on responding. Thanks.
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Post by cloz on Jun 18, 2011 7:37:46 GMT -5
I have a birdbath right near my garden and it does absolutely nothing to prevent squirrel and chipmunk damage. The squirrels do go to the birdbath for a drink, but still pick and destroy tomatoes. One year I got 5 tomatoes from 18 plants. The rest of the tomatoes were destroyed by squirrels. The following year I thinned out the squirrel population and got over 200 tomatoes from the same number of plants. If you use a trap and plan to relocate the squirrels, take them for a loooong ride because they will return otherwise. (someone I know marked them and they returned)
Chipmunks can be more destructive than squirrels. They undermined an apple tree of mine and one day I found it leaning on a 45 degree angle. Last year they ate my cucumbers when they were only 1 inch long. Took me a while to figure out why my cucumbers were blooming but no cucumbers were on my plants. This year they have been eating my bush beans and one variety of cucumbers as soon as the seeds sprout. They also eat my strawberries and red currants. I doubt I will see even one ripe red currant. (the other strawberry and currant thief is the catbird). This year I have removed 25 chipmunks and 12 squirrels from my property. There are still plenty left and if I don't remove them I will not be harvesting many tomatoes.
As for the currents and strawberries, I am pulling the plants up and giving up on them. Twenty-five years ago we had no problems with squirrels, chipmunks or birds but now the surrounding trees have grown so large that the population of the animals and birds has exploded and become a constant headache.
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jcm05
Administrator
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Post by jcm05 on Jun 18, 2011 21:04:44 GMT -5
Chipmunks can be more destructive than squirrels. I agree 100%! They are both a nuisance. |
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Tom Akers
Tomato Gardener
Fishrman and Tomato Lover
Posts: 84
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Post by Tom Akers on Jun 19, 2011 5:32:11 GMT -5
Chipmunks can be more destructive than squirrels. I agree 100%! They are both a nuisance. Don't forget about woodchucks. They can destroy ANY crop and quickly. I hate them all. |
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Jun 19, 2011 6:22:16 GMT -5
On the farm, it was Bambi and Thumper who did the most damage. Here, on the edge of suburbia, we still have deer wander through the yard along with wild turkeys, raccoons, rabbits and possums. But by far, the worse garden predator are those dang tree rats!!
They do a Great Tarzan imitation by swinging from the adjacent trees into the garden then run around snatching and snacking whatever they can. Last year, I managed to save one teensy tiny pumpkin from their clutches. This year, the seedlings didn't even survive their onslaught.
Arrrrggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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