Possums will eat tomato plants, but usually only the fruit—not the leaves or stems

Possums are opportunistic feeders, and ripe or ripening tomatoes are appealing to them because they're soft, sweet, and straightforward to bite into. A possum will climb into your tomato plant, take a bite or two from several fruits, and move on. They're not interested in the plant itself—the leaves and stems are too tough and bitter. The damage you see is usually scattered bite marks on multiple tomatoes rather than a plant stripped bare.

The real frustration is that possums don't eat the whole fruit. They'll sample one tomato, abandon it halfway through, and move to the next one. This means you lose more tomatoes to waste than to actual consumption. A single possum visiting your garden over a few nights can ruin a dozen ripe tomatoes.

Possums are nocturnal, so the damage happens while you sleep. You'll notice it in the morning: small puncture wounds or chunks missing from the side of the fruit facing the ground or a branch. The wounds often show teeth marks and may have a slight darkening around the edges where the possum's saliva has begun to oxidize the exposed flesh.

Key Takeaways

  • Possums eat ripe and ripening tomato fruit but ignore the plant's leaves, stems, and roots.
  • They typically take a few bites from each tomato and move to the next one, wasting more fruit than they consume.
  • Damage occurs at night and shows as small puncture wounds or chunks missing from individual fruits.
  • Physical barriers like netting or cages around plants are the most reliable way to stop possum damage.
  • Possums are beneficial for pest control—they eat insects, slugs, and snails—so exclusion is preferable to removal.

Why possums target tomatoes over other garden plants

Possums are drawn to tomatoes because they're calorie-dense and require no effort to digest. A possum's natural diet includes insects, snails, slugs, carrion, and fallen fruit. Ripe tomatoes mimic fallen fruit in texture and sweetness, so the possum's instinct is to eat them. They're also soft enough that a possum's teeth can puncture the skin easily—unlike harder vegetables or unripe fruit.

Possums will also eat other garden produce: berries, grapes, stone fruits, and squash. But tomatoes are particularly vulnerable because they grow on exposed plants at a height possums can easily reach by climbing. A possum can grip a tomato plant's stem and branches with its claws and tail, so the fruit is accessible in a way that ground-level vegetables are not.

How to identify possum damage versus other pests

Possum damage has a distinctive pattern. The puncture wounds are relatively large—about the size of a pencil tip or slightly bigger—and often appear in clusters on one side of the fruit. The possum's teeth leave visible marks, and the wound edges are usually clean rather than ragged. If you find multiple tomatoes with similar damage on the same night, possum is a strong suspect.

Other pests leave different signs. Hornworms chew large, irregular holes and often leave dark droppings on leaves. Slugs and snails create smooth, irregular holes and leave a slime trail. Rats gnaw at the fruit from the bottom and may leave tooth marks that are smaller and more uniform than a possum's. Squirrels typically bite the fruit in half or take large chunks, not small samples from multiple fruits.

The timing also matters. If damage appears overnight and only on ripe fruit, possum is likely. If you see damage during the day or on unripe fruit, look for other culprits.

Physical barriers that work against possums

The most reliable defense is a physical barrier that keeps possums away from the fruit. A cage or enclosure made from sturdy wire mesh or hardware cloth works well. The mesh should be at least half-inch openings or smaller—possums can squeeze through larger gaps. The cage needs to extend from the ground up and around the plant, with no gaps where a possum can reach under or around the sides.

Netting is another option, but it must be installed carefully. Drape bird netting or garden netting over the entire plant and find it to the ground or to stakes so possums can't push underneath. Check the netting regularly for tears, because possums will work at weak spots. Netting can also trap birds, so inspect it daily and remove any caught wildlife.

Individual fruit bags—small mesh or paper bags that slip over each tomato—work for small gardens or a few prized plants. Tie the bag loosely around the stem so the tomato can still grow and ripen inside. This method is labor-intensive but nearly 100 percent effective.

Why removing possums is usually not the answer

Many gardeners' first instinct is to trap and remove the possum. This approach has real drawbacks. First, it's often illegal without a permit—check your local wildlife regulations before setting traps. Second, removing one possum doesn't solve the problem permanently. Other possums will move into the vacant territory within days or weeks, especially if your garden offers food and shelter.

More importantly, possums are beneficial. A single possum eats hundreds of ticks, insects, slugs, and snails over the course of a season. They also consume carrion and rodent carcasses, which reduces disease spread. Killing or removing a possum to save a few tomatoes means losing a natural pest controller that was working for free.

If you must remove a possum, contact a licensed wildlife removal service. They can trap and relocate the animal humanely, though relocation often stresses the possum and may be illegal in your area. Prevention through barriers is more humane and more effective.

Deterrents that have mixed results

Some gardeners report success with motion-activated lights or sprinklers. The theory is that sudden light or water startles the possum and teaches it to avoid the area. Results vary widely. Possums are adaptable and may ignore the deterrent after a few nights, especially if the reward (ripe tomatoes) is high enough. Motion-activated devices work best as part of a layered approach, not as a standalone solution.

Ammonia-soaked rags, capsaicin spray, or predator urine (coyote or bobcat) are sometimes recommended as smell deterrents. Possums do have a sense of smell, but the evidence that these work is anecdotal. They may reduce visits temporarily, but won't stop a determined possum from eating your tomatoes. Reapply frequently after rain, and expect diminishing returns over time.

Removing food sources—fallen fruit, pet food left outside, unsecured compost—can reduce the overall possum population in your area and make your garden less attractive. This is worth doing regardless, but won't stop a possum that's already discovered your ripe tomatoes.

Timing and ripening strategies to reduce losses

Possums target ripe and ripening fruit because that's when tomatoes are softest and sweetest. If you harvest tomatoes at the breaker stage—when the first blush of color appears but the fruit is still mostly green—you can ripen them indoors on a windowsill or in a paper bag. They'll ripen fully in a few days without possum interference.

This strategy works especially well late in the season when possum activity peaks (fall and early winter). Harvest slightly earlier than you normally would, and you'll lose fewer tomatoes to wildlife. The flavor difference between vine-ripened and windowsill-ripened tomatoes is minimal for most varieties.

Pruning lower branches and removing dense foliage also makes it harder for possums to climb into the plant and reach fruit. Possums prefer cover, so a more open plant structure is less appealing. This also improves air circulation and reduces disease pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use poison or pesticides to stop possums from eating tomatoes?

No. Poison is inhumane, illegal in most places, and poses a risk to pets and other wildlife. Pesticides won't deter possums—they eat insects and slugs, not plants, so spraying the tomato plant won't stop them. Barriers and exclusion are the only safe, legal, and effective methods.

Do possums eat green tomatoes?

Rarely. Possums strongly prefer ripe or ripening fruit because it's soft and sweet. Green tomatoes are hard and bitter, so a possum will usually ignore them. If you see damage to green tomatoes, look for other pests like hornworms or rats.

Will a possum come back to the same garden every night?

Yes, if the food source is reliable. Once a possum discovers your ripe tomatoes, it will return nightly until the fruit is gone or the plant is protected. This is why barriers need to stay in place throughout the ripening season.

What should I do if I find a possum in my garden at night?

Leave it alone. Possums are not aggressive and will usually move away if given space. Turn off lights and let it leave on its own. If it's trapped or injured, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. Never corner a possum or attempt to handle it—they can bite if they feel threatened.

Are possums active year-round in my area?

Possum activity depends on your climate. In warm regions, they're active all year. In colder areas, they're less active in winter but don't truly hibernate. Fall and early winter are peak tomato-eating seasons in most places because that's when late-season tomatoes ripen and possums are preparing for colder months.