I've got squirrels, chipmunks, mice, rabbits, birds, the usual cast of
characters that adore suburban gardens - no deer, though, thank
goodness.  This is my first garden in years and I've only planted
tomotoes.  I have cardboard around the bottom stems to keep cutworms
and slugs off, set out the shallow beer filled pie plates so the slugs
die happy...I have not noticed any damage to my fruit yet, I have a
ton of blossoms and teeny tomatoes are appearing.  I want to head off
any critters at the pass - I remember my last garden, it was
absolutely pillaged.  I want my tomatoes ripe on the vine, safe from
pesticides and vermin, whether they be four footed or have wings. so I
need some advice.  My neighbor already has lost quite a few of hers,
they leave them on the vine with a big, almost human-sized bite out of
each tomato.
 
Can I avoid her fate?  I want my 'maters.  Would it do me any good to
go to the fabric store and buy some bridal veil type netting and stake
that into the ground, or will that keep the beneficial insects, like
bees and ladybugs out?  Any advice that you've seen work for you,
giving you a good harvest of straight off the vine lovely ripe
tomatoes would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Ohiogal