There’s nothing quite as frustrating as waiting weeks for your tomatoes to ripen, only to find a squirrel got there first. Sometimes they’ll take a single bite and move on, leaving half-eaten tomatoes scattered around the garden.

While it’s nearly impossible to eliminate squirrels completely, a combination of deterrents can make your tomato patch far less appealing to them.

Plant Squirrel-Repelling Companions

Some plants naturally give off scents that squirrels find unpleasant. Marigolds, garlic, mint, nasturtiums, and geraniums can help make your tomato bed less inviting while adding beauty and diversity to the garden.

Remove Easy Food Sources

If squirrels can find fallen fruit, birdseed, nuts, or other snacks nearby, they’ll keep returning to your yard. Cleaning up dropped tomatoes and removing other food sources can encourage them to look elsewhere.

Create a Coffee Ground Barrier

Used coffee grounds can act as a mild scent deterrent around tomato plants. Simply sprinkle them around the base of plants and refresh them after heavy rain for the best results.

Let Your Pets Help Patrol

A dog that spends time in the backyard can be one of the most effective squirrel deterrents around. Even the scent of a cat or dog can make squirrels feel less comfortable hanging around your garden.

Offer an Alternative Food Source

Sometimes squirrels target tomatoes simply because they’re easy to access. Providing a separate feeding station away from your garden may help redirect some of their attention and reduce the damage to your plants.

Install Motion-Activated Lights

Squirrels prefer areas where they feel safe and undisturbed. Motion-activated lights can startle them and make nighttime visits to your tomato patch less appealing.

Use Motion-Activated Sprinklers

Few things convince squirrels to leave faster than an unexpected blast of water. Motion-activated sprinklers are humane, effective, and often train squirrels to avoid the area entirely after a few encounters.

Add a Water Source

During hot weather, squirrels may bite into tomatoes simply to access moisture. Placing a shallow bowl of fresh water away from your garden can sometimes reduce the temptation to sample your ripening fruit.

Try an Owl Decoy

Owls are natural predators of squirrels, and a realistic owl decoy may help keep them on edge. For the best results, move the decoy occasionally so squirrels don’t realize it’s harmless.

Use Predator Scents

Products containing coyote, fox, or other predator scents can trigger a squirrel’s natural survival instincts. Reapplying these scents regularly may help convince squirrels that your garden isn’t worth the risk.

Protect Plants With Cages

One of the most reliable solutions is creating a physical barrier. Tomato cages wrapped with bird netting or hardware cloth can prevent squirrels from reaching ripe fruit while still allowing sunlight and airflow.

Spray With Hot Pepper Solutions

Capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers spicy, is something squirrels strongly dislike. A homemade or store-bought hot pepper spray applied to cages, containers, or nearby surfaces can discourage nibbling.

Use Apple Cider Vinegar as a Scent Deterrent

The strong smell of apple cider vinegar can make squirrels think twice about entering the area. Some gardeners soak cotton balls in vinegar and place them around tomato plants, replacing them as the scent fades.

Harvest Tomatoes a Little Early

You don’t have to wait until tomatoes are fully ripe on the vine. Picking them when they first begin to show color and allowing them to finish ripening indoors can prevent squirrels from beating you to the harvest.

Plant More Than You Think You’ll Need

Sometimes the simplest solution is accepting that squirrels may claim a few tomatoes no matter what you do. Planting a few extra tomato plants can help ensure you still have plenty of fruit left for your own kitchen.