I have a pest! Any ideas?

[EricSorensen]

Sorry didn't see the pest area till now.
I have 2 F/Ds with 55gal FT and 1 55gal GB cut in half. Fish used are goldfish as wife is NOT interested in eating any home grown Tilapia. (Shame) Anyway I have some great tomatoe plants in them and have started peas, beans and corn. I live in Fullerton, CA (Southern Cal) and have been awaken by my dogs barking. By the time I get out there the damage is done. Corn is uprooted and roots eaten. 1 bean broken, Tomatoes are left alone and have green fruit hanging on them. I see no eveidence of droppings so mice/rats seem to be out. I'm thinking opposum or racoon but don't know for sure. Animal is nocturnal or very early morning. Any ideas? Any thoughts on keeping them away from my plants? I don't want all my hard work going to feed a critter.
Thanks,
Eric

[Murray]

Sometimes the only answer is to have your AP system enclosed in a greenhouse or similar.
There will always be something trying to eat your produce.......it is so good !!!

[Mantis]

I chat with tomato growers in the US and I am amazed at the number or critters you guys have that invade the vegie patch, icluding deer, bears etc
We dont know how lucky we are down here

[Peter Webber]

I surrounded my AP area with chicken wire which keeps the cats and possums off. Carerpillars and aphids ar still an occasonal issue but a mix of dippel, seasol, dish soap and garlic seems to help with those. I have to cover my seed pots as some of the smaller birds can get in.

I know citrus is used to deter cats and dogs. I wonder if a spray made from citrus skins would reduce rodent damage? Not that I have had a problem with those yet.

Perhaps a few traps around the place and see what gets caught?