Many people are curious as to whether do birds eat tomatoes, and the answer is yes. Birds may eat tomatoes in the wild, though some species may avoid them due to their acidic nature. Depending on where you live and what type of bird you are observing, you may see different species consuming tomatoes. For example, certain types of robins or crows may be observed eating tomatoes from your garden. Additionally, some migratory birds may also consume tomatoes during their travels.
Will Birds Bother My Tomato Plants?
Yes. Birds will bother your tomato plants. In the fruiting stage, when tomatoes are just beginning to ripen, birds often damage tomato plants.
Tomatoes that have ripened provide both food and water for the birds that visit your garden, which is especially helpful during the hotter months of the year.
Birds will eat your newly planted tomato seedlings and may even use them to construct a nest out of. As a result, preventative measures should be taken throughout the season.
Identifying Bird Tomato Plant Damage
Identifying bird tomato plant damage can be a challenging task, but by understanding the different signs and symptoms of bird damage to tomatoes you can help protect your plants. By looking for things like holes in the tomato fruits, discoloration of leaves or stems, and missing fruit or leaves, you can identify if birds are causing damage to your tomato plants.
Additionally, understanding the types of birds that are in your area as well as their feeding habits will be helpful in helping you identify and address any potential bird damage on your tomato plants.
Strategies To Protect Your Tomatoes From Birds
As we already discussed, birds can damage your tomato plants. If you want to protect your tomato plants from bird damage, it’s important to have the best strategies in place. You can keep your tomatoes safe from hungry birds using these techniques. In this section, we will explain the three main strategies to protect your plants from hungry birds.
Physical Barriers
To a large extent, physical barriers are effective. Inconveniently, they increase the difficulty of caring for and harvesting tomato plants. Yet, they may be the key to saving your harvest, so let’s examine the alternatives.
1: Cloches
While birds are an important part of the ecosystem, they can wreak havoc on your tomato crop if they aren’t kept in check. One effective strategy for protecting your tomatoes from birds is the use of cloches. Cloches are small, enclosed structures that protect plants from wind and pests, such as birds. When used correctly, cloches can be an effective way to keep birds away from your tomatoes and ensure a beautiful and bountiful harvest each season.
2: Tomato Cages
Tomato cages provide a physical barrier that prevents birds from reaching your tomatoes and keeps them safe from harm. Tomato cages also provide plenty of support for your plants and make it easier to access your tomatoes while they’re still on the vine. By using tomato cages in your garden, you can ensure that you have plenty of delicious tomatoes at harvest time – free of bird damage!
3: Bird Netting
Bird netting provides a physical barrier that prevents birds from reaching the tomatoes, while still allowing plenty of sun and air in. It’s also relatively inexpensive and easy to install, making it a great option for anyone looking to protect their tomato plants from pesky birds.
You can find large coils of bird netting at any home improvement store or garden center. The nets used to keep the birds away are simple to set up and require little effort.
- Use landscape stakes to anchor the bottom edges of the netting over the tomato cages or pegs you’ve pounded into the ground.
- Maintain a taught net; flying creatures have a lower chance of getting caught in one.
- Make sure the netting hangs low enough that birds can’t get at your tomatoes via the openings.
- Netting with a 34″ mesh is generally accepted as an effective measure to prevent birds while still allowing pollinators access.
4: Row Cover
Row covers are lightweight fabrics that can be draped over plants and provide protection from birds and other threats. They also allow light and water to pass through while still providing an effective barrier against predators. With a row cover, you can keep your tomatoes safe until they are ripe and ready for harvesting.
The best time to utilize row cover is before your tomato plants begin to flower, just like with cloches, as it will prevent pollinators from reaching the flowers and keep in too much heat.
Tomatoes can pollinate themselves, but they still need a helping hand from another plant or bees.
Vibrations from the wind or bees are required for tomato plants to move enough pollen from the male to the female sections of the blossom.
The size of the fruits produced is proportional to the amount of pollen transmitted, therefore if pollinators are prevented from reaching your plants at this crucial stage, your harvest will suffer.
Row cover also increases ambient temperature, which may or may not be desirable depending on local climate.
The temperature under the row cover is typically 15-30 degrees higher than the ambient air temperature.
The blossoms of tomatoes that have been exposed to temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit will dry and fall off before the plant has a chance to set fruit.
Distractions
1: Add a Birdbath
One of the best strategies is to add a birdbath near your tomato plants. Not only will this provide a source of water for thirsty birds, but it will also act as an effective deterrent for them from accessing the tomatoes. By adding a birdbath near your tomato plants, you can make sure that your tomatoes stay safe from hungry birds!
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on an elaborate birdbath. You just need a bowl of clean water and a rock to do the trick.
2: Provide an Alternate Food Source
To protect your tomatoes from bird damage, providing an alternate food source is one of the best strategies. This alternate food source can be anything from bird feeders to scattering cracked corn around the tomato plants. By placing feeders in strategic locations and using different kinds of bird food, you can create a safe environment for your tomatoes while still giving birds something to eat.
Scare Tactics
Tomatoes are a delicious and versatile crop that many gardeners enjoy growing in their backyard. Unfortunately, they can also be vulnerable to pesky birds looking for an easy snack. To ensure your tomatoes reach maturity, you must take steps to protect them. One of the most effective strategies is using scare tactics such as decoys, sound devices, and visual deterrents to keep birds away from your tomato plants. With these methods in place, you can rest assured that the birds won’t be nibbling on your valuable tomatoes!
1: Shiny Objects
One of the most effective methods is to use shiny objects that will scare away the birds. You can hang reflective things such as CDs, foil strips, or even old CDs in your garden, or near where you plant your tomatoes. This should be enough to deter any birds from eating your tomatoes! You can also cover them with a netting or row cover material so that the birds cannot get access to them at all.
2: Wind Chimes
One of the most effective methods is to use shiny objects that will scare away the birds. You can hang reflective things such as CDs, foil strips, or even old CDs in your garden, or near where you plant your tomatoes. This should be enough to deter any birds from eating your tomatoes! You can also cover them with a netting or row cover material so that the birds cannot get access to them at all.
3: Scarecrows
Scarecrows have long been used to keep birds away from crops. Dress up some old bottoms and a top with hay, add a face made of stuffing or a metal pie plate, and then connect everything to a stick. Wild birds will be scared away by this dummy.
To prevent birds from becoming habituated to its presence, the scarecrow should be relocated every few days.
4: Fake Predators
Fake predators can also be used to deter birds. Possibilities include erecting a statue of a soaring bird of prey. For this purpose, a faux owl, found at most home improvement stores, is a good choice. For an even more human like appearance, the heads of some models can turn.
You can also use three-foot-long segments of old hose or imitation rubber snakes to ward off predators near your tomato plants.
Scare away birds with frequent relocations of scarecrow-like artificial predators.
Other Solutions
1: Ripen off The Vine
One of the most effective methods is using ripen off the vine techniques. This will not only prevent birds from eating your tomatoes but also help you get the most out of them as they will be ready for harvesting at the peak of their ripeness.
FAQs:
Do Birds Eat Tomatoes?
If you are a gardener or a farmer, you know how important it is to protect your tomatoes from birds. The birds can be quite pesky when it comes to getting their hands on your hard-earned crop. However, there are some simple strategies that you can use to guard against bird damage and enjoy a bountiful harvest of tomatoes.
Do Birds Eat Unripe Green Tomatoes?
Unripe green tomatoes may seem like an unusual food for birds to eat, but the truth is that many species of birds will happily feast on them. While it’s not a preferred food choice, birds can benefit from the nutrition provided by unripe green tomatoes, as well as their juicy texture. In addition, some bird species may be attracted to the bright color and flavor of unripe tomatoes. Understanding which birds are likely to eat unripe green tomatoes can help us better protect our gardens from potential avian intruders.
Do Birds Eat Tomato Flowers?
Many species of birds, including doves and Cardinals, have been observed eating these petals in gardens and even in the wild. With their sharp beaks and claws, they can easily pluck away the delicate petals from a tomato flower for an easy snack. It’s important to understand that not all birds will be interested in eating tomato flowers – it depends on the species.
Do Birds Eat Tomato Leaves?
Although young and fragile, tomato leaves can be a tasty snack for certain birds. Even when the leaves are ripe for eating, the birds may not be eating them because they are chasing insects or trying to get at the ripe fruits. But, there are situations when they can actually bite.
Do Birds Eat Tomato Seeds?
Birds can be found eating tomato seeds, and this behavior could be preventing tomatoes from spreading naturally.
Do Birds Eat Tomato Seedlings?
Young seedlings, such as very young tomato plants, are a tasty snack for some birds. The fact that certain birds may damage seedlings by plucking them out of the ground but not eat them is another annoyance for gardeners.
Are Tomatoes Good for Birds?
Tomatoes have long been thought of as a favorite food of birds, however, it may come as a surprise to many that tomatoes are actually not good for birds. While some birds may eat tomatoes occasionally, most avian dietitians agree that tomatoes should be avoided when feeding birds.
What Kind of Birds Like To Eat Tomatoes?
The birds (sparrows) are devouring both ripe and unripe tomatoes.
Do Birds Eat Tomato Hornworms?
Tomato hornworms can be a major problem for gardeners and farmers, but do birds eat them? Studies have shown that birds, such as crows, starlings and blue jays, are likely to consume tomato hornworms if the opportunity arises. In addition to birds, natural predators of tomato hornworms can include wasps, spiders and small mammals. Therefore, when it comes to controlling tomato hornworm populations in gardens or farms, it is important to consider these natural predators.
Final Thoughts
Tomatoes are a popular fruit that many birds enjoy eating. While some birds may not necessarily like the taste, they might still consume the tomatoes if they are readily available. Understanding what types of food your local birds enjoy, and whether or not tomatoes are part of their diet can help you determine whether or not to include them in your bird feeders and other areas where birds gather for sustenance.