Do birds eat cherry tomatoes

NewbieGrower · May 29, 2017

I lost a baby mini pepper from bird bite. I see 2 baby cherry tomatoes with peck marks but too solid to get a bite. Will I need to put up bird netting to protect my Sweet Million?

greenthumbomaha · May 29, 2017

Robbins pecked at my tomatoes last year. I have never seen bird damage on tomatoes before that.

I wonder how you would keep the net directly off the fruit, especially a cherry.

- Lisa

Jonnyhat · May 29, 2017

they only go after them if they cannot find another source of water, keep a bird bath, problem solved

JerryHaskins · May 29, 2017

So far this spring I have not had a single bird damage to my little cherry tomatoes. And they are coming in great! More than we can eat; giving some to the neighbors.

Hey! I just noticed that we are fairly close geographically, OP.

NewbieGrower · May 29, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHaskins

So far this spring I have not had a single bird damage to my little cherry tomatoes. And they are coming in great! More than we can eat; giving some to the neighbors.

Hey! I just noticed that we are fairly close geographically, OP.

So the downpours and wind haven't affected your tomatoes. I just lost a few blossoms but septals stayed so maybe mine ok.

Worth1 · May 29, 2017

Put old socks over your tomatoes and the critters wont bother them.
They dont need sunlight.
Worth

AlittleSalt · May 29, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonnyhat

they only go after them if they cannot find another source of water, keep a bird bath, problem solved

+1

zipcode · May 30, 2017

The water thing works only before they got a taste of your tomatoes. After that, it's pretty much useless. I have experience. The really odd thing is that they will forget about them until next year. So try your best not to attract them, or else you won't get rid of them that year. I cover in alu foil the bigger ones that would attract them from far. And definitely have some water sitting if weather turns dry.

NewbieGrower · May 30, 2017

It is a mocking bird so others sure water thing will work. Looks these are cherry tomatoes and I have lots. Too tedious to wrap them or put a sock over them. Then you can't even see which are ripe. Not a solution for cherries. Has anyone tried big inflatable Snake? Maybe get best bird netting.

zipcode · May 30, 2017

I tried all sorts of animals. No go. Maybe a live cat would work.
I had the problem mainly with sparrows, which are exceedingly common around here. They went berserk 2 years ago which was really dry.
If netting is an option, sure, it's the best way. I couldn't do it with my balcony (probably wouldn't be allowed either since I'm only renting).

maxjohnson · May 30, 2017

I usually blame the opossums or squirrels. Organza or paint strainer bags help.

Cole_Robbie · May 30, 2017

Last year, birds attacked my Helsing ★★★★★★★★ Blues. No other varieties got bird damage.

AlittleSalt · May 30, 2017

Grow Texas cherry tomatoes - they eat birds.

Mocking bird is the Texas State bird, so we can't shoot them here, but maybe you can in MS?

Worth1 · May 30, 2017

Pretty much against the law to shoot any song bird in any state I thought.

My Foot Smells · May 30, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonnyhat

they only go after them if they cannot find another source of water, keep a bird bath, problem solved

Not entirely true, but may be helpful. I live on a waterway, have birdbaths, fountains, etc..... a big fat sap sucker decimated my tomatoes LY despite. I was told to hang red plastic Christmas tree balls on the plants, and when the birds try and hit it - badonkadong!!

....however, can't vouch b/c I have yet to implement.

May 29, 2017	#1
NewbieGrower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Ridgeland, MS Posts: 68	Do birds eat cherry tomatoes I lost a baby mini pepper from bird bite. I see 2 baby cherry tomatoes with peck marks but too solid to get a bite. Will I need to put up bird netting to protect my Sweet Million?

May 29, 2017	#2
greenthumbomaha Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha Zone 5 Posts: 2,514	Robbins pecked at my tomatoes last year. I have never seen bird damage on tomatoes before that. I wonder how you would keep the net directly off the fruit, especially a cherry. - Lisa

May 29, 2017	#3
Jonnyhat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 337	they only go after them if they cannot find another source of water, keep a bird bath, problem solved

May 29, 2017	#4
JerryHaskins Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mississippi Posts: 166	So far this spring I have not had a single bird damage to my little cherry tomatoes. And they are coming in great! More than we can eat; giving some to the neighbors. Hey! I just noticed that we are fairly close geographically, OP.

May 29, 2017	#6
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Put old socks over your tomatoes and the critters wont bother them. They dont need sunlight. Worth

May 30, 2017	#8
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	The water thing works only before they got a taste of your tomatoes. After that, it's pretty much useless. I have experience. The really odd thing is that they will forget about them until next year. So try your best not to attract them, or else you won't get rid of them that year. I cover in alu foil the bigger ones that would attract them from far. And definitely have some water sitting if weather turns dry.

May 30, 2017	#11
maxjohnson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: OH 6a Posts: 592	I usually blame the opossums or squirrels. Organza or paint strainer bags help.

May 30, 2017	#12
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Last year, birds attacked my Helsing ★★★★★★★★ Blues. No other varieties got bird damage.

May 30, 2017	#13
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Grow Texas cherry tomatoes - they eat birds. Mocking bird is the Texas State bird, so we can't shoot them here, but maybe you can in MS?