Ever pulled a tomato from your garden or grocery bag only to find a hole in it? While it’s tempting to toss it immediately, understanding why holes appear can help you fix the problem and prevent it in the future.Holes in tomatoes are often caused by pests like hornworms, stink bugs, and beetles that chew or bore into the fruit. Birds and squirrels are also culprits, especially when tomatoes are ripening.

Birds tend to peck the fruit, while squirrels may take bigger bites. In some cases, internal issues like blossom end rot or “catfacing” (a deformity caused by temperature fluctuations during flowering) can lead to holes or scars.So, is it safe to eat a tomato with a hole? It depends. If the hole is small and there are no signs of bugs, mold, or bad smells, the tomato is likely still good. Just cut around the damaged area and use the rest. But if it’s large, moldy, or gives off a bad odor, it’s best to toss it.