Whenever you see a tomato  with this specific appearance, refrain from eating it! Here is what it really means and what you should do next!

There’s something deeply satisfying about picking a ripe, sun-warmed tomato from the vine — smooth skin, rich color, and that earthy scent of summer. But then you spot it: a few tiny holes breaking through the perfect surface. Your stomach drops. After weeks of watering, pruning, and babying your plants, your perfect fruit looks sabotaged.

Don’t panic. Those little holes aren’t random. They’re messages — signs of what’s happening in your garden. And if you learn to read them, you can protect your next harvest and even save this one.

Let’s break it down: what those holes mean, how to tell what’s behind them, and how to keep your tomatoes safe (and edible).

The Usual Suspects: Pests with an Appetite for Tomatoes

Nine times out of ten, holes in tomatoes are the calling cards of pests. A few common culprits stand out.

Tomato hornworms are the heavy hitters. These thick green caterpillars can grow longer than your finger, and they blend perfectly with tomato leaves. They chew large, uneven holes and leave dark droppings on nearby leaves or stems — a sure sign you’ve got company. They can strip a plant bare overnight if left unchecked.

Then there are stink bugs, stealthier but just as destructive. They pierce tomatoes with sharp, needle-like mouths, sucking the juices inside. The punctures they leave are small, but they cause the fruit around them to turn pale and sunken. You might not notice the damage until the tomato ripens, only to find it discolored and mealy.

Beetles and fruitworms work differently. They drill neat, round holes — like someone used a tiny hole punch. Their tunnels can quickly turn into breeding grounds for rot and mold. If you see holes that look too perfect to be random, suspect these.

And not all offenders crawl or buzz. Sometimes, they perch or scamper.

When Nature Itself Takes a Bite

Birds are notorious tomato thieves. On hot days, they’ll peck holes in ripe fruit just to drink the juice. The holes are small, triangular, and often superficial.

Squirrels, on the other hand, are the vandals of the garden. They don’t nibble — they chomp. If it looks like someone took a literal bite out of your tomato, that’s not a bug problem; that’s wildlife declaring open season on your crop.

If half-eaten fruit is hanging from the vine, you’re not in an insect war — you’re running a backyard buffet.

When the Problem Isn’t a Creature at All

Sometimes, the holes and blemishes have nothing to do with pests. Environmental stress can warp a tomato’s development long before it ripens.

Ever seen a tomato that looks puckered or scarred at the top, almost like a stitched wound? That’s catfacing, caused by fluctuating temperatures during flowering. The fruit develops unevenly, leaving open cracks or holes where tissue failed to form properly.

Then there’s blossom-end rot — a dark, sunken patch at the bottom that eventually splits open. It’s not a disease, but a symptom of calcium deficiency or inconsistent watering. When soil moisture swings wildly between dry and soaked, the fruit’s cells collapse from stress.

In short: sometimes your tomato isn’t being eaten. It’s just trying to survive a rough season.

Is It Still Safe to Eat?

That’s the big question.

If the hole is small, clean, and the tomato smells fresh — not sour, moldy, or slimy — you can usually salvage it. Cut out the damaged area, inspect the flesh inside, and if it’s firm and red, you’re good to go.

If, however, the tomato is leaking fluid, smells off, or has white or black mold near the hole, toss it. Once bacteria or fungi get inside, they spread fast. No sauce or salad is worth a case of food poisoning.

How to Stop the Damage Before It Starts

Prevention isn’t complicated — but it does require consistency. Here’s what works:

1. Check your plants daily.
Get familiar with how healthy leaves and fruit look. Early detection saves crops. Look under leaves for eggs, chew marks, or droppings. Hornworms, for example, blend in so well they’re often found by their droppings before the worms themselves.

2. Water smartly.
Inconsistent watering stresses the plant and causes cracking — an open invitation for pests and rot. Deep, steady watering at the base of the plant keeps roots hydrated and fruits firm.

3. Keep it clean.
Don’t let fallen fruit rot under your plants. It attracts beetles and rodents. Remove dead leaves, prune overcrowded stems, and compost away from your main garden beds.

4. Create barriers.
Lightweight netting or floating row covers can keep birds and squirrels out. Reflective tape, old CDs, or strips of foil tied between stakes can also deter curious animals by flashing light.

5. Plant companions.
Basil, marigolds, and garlic aren’t just pretty — they naturally repel tomato pests with their strong scents. They also attract pollinators, which means better fruit production.

6. Go natural, not nuclear.
Skip harsh chemical pesticides. Neem oil, insecticidal soap, or homemade garlic sprays can handle most infestations without killing bees or beneficial insects. Just follow the directions — more isn’t better.

7. Rotate crops.
Don’t grow tomatoes in the same soil year after year. Pests and diseases linger in the ground, waiting for their next tomato buffet. Give that soil a break and rotate with beans, carrots, or lettuce.

When the Damage Is Done

If you find a damaged tomato, isolate it from healthy ones. Don’t throw it in with your good harvest — bacteria can spread through contact. Inspect it carefully. If you see larvae, webbing, or black mold, discard it immediately and check nearby fruit.

Clean your harvesting tools with a mild vinegar solution to avoid spreading contamination.

Even store-bought tomatoes sometimes show small holes from transport or handling. These are usually harmless, but still — wash them well and trim away any suspect areas before eating.

Quick Reference: Keep Your Tomatoes Hole-Free

• Inspect plants daily for pests or droppings.
• Water consistently and evenly.
• Prune to improve airflow and reduce pest hiding spots.
• Use barriers or deterrents for wildlife.
• Remove fallen fruit and weeds promptly.
• Rotate crops each season.

The Takeaway

Every scar, hole, or imperfection on a tomato tells a story — about weather, soil, or the small battles fought in your backyard ecosystem. Don’t see it as failure. See it as feedback.

A tomato with a hole isn’t ruined — it’s teaching you something. Maybe your watering was uneven, maybe you missed a worm, maybe a bird got thirsty. The next time you find one, don’t just toss it. Inspect it, learn from it, and adjust your care.

Because here’s the truth every gardener learns eventually: perfect tomatoes are overrated. The best ones — the ones that taste like sunshine and effort — are the ones that survive a few scars.

So if the tomato looks good inside? Slice it, salt it, and enjoy it proudly. It might not be flawless, but neither is any real garden. And that’s exactly what makes it yours.