Question
We have several celebrity tomatoes growing beautifully, except something has decided we need to share with him (a rodent?)  It looks like it...it's not worms.  Do we set traps, or do you have a better suggestion?  We have not seen mice or rats in our yard before...EEK!

Answer
Jeri, it could be one of several animals, including gophers, opossums, rabbits, or even deer. Regardless of which animal it is, there are some measures you can take. Some methods that I have tried which have proven somewhat successful are:  

1. Cayenne pepper - Sprinkle liberally at the base of the tomatoes.  This is extremely effective since most animals always smell prior to eating. The primary disadvantage is that this can be time consuming, especially if your garden is large, and the pepper needs to be reapplied after a rain.
2. Chemical Repellents - All garden centers carry a variety of repellents designed specifically for 4 legged pests. Examples would be coyote or fox urine, Deer-Off, and Ropel. These are very effective but very expensive.  Also needs to be reapplied after a rain.
3. Fences - Any fence made from chicken wire will suffice. It only needs to be 2?high but must be set at least 6?below ground.  Not very aesthetic, but foolproof.
4. Reemay - This is more commonly known as floating row covers and can be purchased at most garden centers. Reemay is a lightweight, spun-woven material which lets in water and sunshine while keeping out pests.  This not only protects plants from animals, but also protects them from harsh weather conditions and flying insects.
5. Live Traps - I recommend purchasing a commercial brand such as Havahart. They have different sizes for different pests. Simply bait them with a few carrot pieces, lettuce, or apples with peanut butter. They work very well and are harmless to the animal.  Make sure to transport the animal at least 1 mile from your home, preferably in a well wooded park.
6. Natural Repellents - The two plants most commonly used to repel rabbits are marigolds and garlic. Garlic is very effective against most insects and pests.  I use it throughout my gardens. Garlic sprays are also available through your local garden center. Marigolds, on the other hand, have a reputation stemming from folklore in repelling animals.  Unfortunately, this has not worked in my gardens.  The rabbits actually eat the young marigolds, and ignore the mature ones. I have found marigolds to be more effective in controlling nematodes than in deterring rabbits, but they can prove somewhat effective once they mature.
7. Natural Predators - Cats are without a doubt the best deterrent when battling small animals, such as rabbits. I've 2 outdoor cats for eleven years now and have not seen a rabbit in the yard since. But of course, owning cats bring other responsibilities and should be for obvious reasons above and beyond controlling rabbits and other pests in your yard.  Although I personally recommend using reemay and the Havahart trap, choose what is best for your personal situation.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.  

Regards,  

Mike