Squirrels appear to be chewing on our tomatoes, just when they get ripe.

(a) Does netting deter them?

(b) It's been very dry here. It was once suggested here that rodents
are often looking for water, and if you give them another source,
they'll stay out of your garden. Has anyone ever tried this?

(c) Anything else? Trapping seems ineffective. Shooting is not an
option. (Nearby school, laws, being a bad shot, ..) Nor is poison.
Habitat disruption would be a very major effort.

Thanks,
George