Partially eaten tomatoes on the ground is usually the handiwork of some rodent(s). Either chipmunks, voles, squirrels and/or raccoons. If you really want to ID the culprit, set up a camera that can also see in infrared . If you just want to put a stop to it, set out traps of different sizes.

I have a pond in my backyard. It attracts all sorts of wildlife including pests. They come, have a drink and then attack the veggie and fruit beds. It's a bad idea to lure pests to your yard by giving them a drink.

Daren

Knocking on wood, not happening here so far. I have one tomato that I won't eat the skin either! I have to scald them and remove the skin. So tough you could choke on it.

We have systematically removed all rats, mice and possums and so far this year all is good.

We do have drought conditions and it could be they just want the juice inside the fruit. Won't hurt to try putting bowls of water out, but back that up by delicious peanut butter coated snap traps near or on your tomatoes.

Once they get a taste of something they like, they tend to come back!

Good luck with this issue!

Water or moisture could be the reason but I thought who ever it is would take only one bite? Using peanut butter will attract most rodents alive - whether guilty or not.

I posted a link to a motion sensor I use to tell when I have visitors in this thread, see if it is someone you might like. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4021068/something-is-eating-my-companion-plants?n=3

This way you could check to see who is visiting.

Called Orange County Vector Control and found out that they quit offering bromadialone<http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/rodent/rodent_A_L/bromadiolone/bromad_prf_0185.html>; bait cylinders . Rats!!

I would find who/what is feeding there before putting out poisons. Peoples pets can happen upon poisons or peanut butter baits esp. if not properly contained.

How about a tomato shield? http://tomatoshields.com/

Linda

I have a bird feeder protected in what's kind of a tomatoshield. Works well. Not sure how a tomato shield is supposed to work if the tomato is on a trellis or in a cage, though. Looks like the OP has them in heavy cages.

Neighbor's 14 yr old loaned us their Havahart < http://www.havahart.com/>; and after 3 tries (It had a 1/2 inch gap after closing!) the rat got caught; re-baited but the word is out--stay away! And he had no qualms dispatching it--a reality video game!

I bought a rat zapper mentioned in this thread http://www.gardenweb.com/gardenweb/query/die-squirrel/topic=cornucop

I use it for field mice but have been very happy with it. Catches 1 almost every night since using it and they never get the peanut bait I put in there.

Yeah, very familiar to me here in NY. They seem to knock them to the ground then just eat the middles until they get to the skin on the back side. Pretty much narrowed it down to squirrels as the culprits. I find a combination of pepper spray, "waiting till the tomatoes grow higher than the squirrels care to climb", and just letting them have some until the plant outproduces what they eat is the least stressful solution for me. Haven't noticed any remains on the ground now for a couple weeks and enjoying all the tomatoes we can eat!

The pepper spray I use:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BOB7UW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I recently bought a motion sensitive wildlife game camera so I can see what is going on when I am away or sleeping. Last night had a visit from a family of 5 coons. The first day showed me a groundhog but I have seen no evidence he is living or eating here but if not for the video I would not believe it.

Oh and a chipmunk too. And of course the ever present skunks.

I have the same littering on my second story deck where I have 3 tomato plants. I am sure it is birds, not animals. It is hot and dry, they are after the water.