Identifying Tomato Thieves: Raccoons, Opossums, or Wood Rats?

Likely Suspects

Whole green tomatoes disappearing overnight suggest raccoons, opossums, or wood rats. Roma tomatoes left untouched may be less appealing.

Use cage live traps wrapped in newspaper (ends open) baited with apple slices.
If skunks are present, elevate traps off the ground.
For raccoons, electronic deterrents (see DC Jincks’ site) can protect larger areas.

Pests: Tiny Bugs in Bathroom: Carpet Beetle Larvae; Slugs: The Invisible Night Raiders in Your Vegetable Garden; Safe Control of Rose Stem Borers and Leaf-Eating Insects Without Harming Birds; Japanese Maple Bagworms: Identification and Control; Identifying and Controlling Sarracenia Leaf Damage in East Texas; Something Eating Petunia Flowers? Probably Slugs—Here's How to Stop Them; Boxwoods Sudden Browning: Winter Salt or Cold Damage; Container Tomato Yields: Understanding Celebrity Variety Size and Production; Protecting Tomatoes from Wildlife Damage; Stop Squirrels from Ruining Your Tomatoes: Trapping and Early Harvest

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