Hello there! As a proud garden owner, I always try to keep my lawn green and healthy. But in doing so, I’ve encountered a few problems with pesky critters that love to dig holes and eat roots.
Yes, moles do eat termites. Moles are insectivores, primarily feeding on insects, grubs, and worms found in the soil. Termites, being insects, can be a part of their diet if they come across them while foraging underground.
However, moles are not specialized termite predators, and their diet may vary depending on the availability of other food sources in their habitat.
One of these critters is the mole, which is known for its tunneling and burrowing habits. But do moles eat termites, too?
Let’s dive in and find out!
When Do Moles Eat Termites?
Moles are insectivores, which means they primarily feed on insects.
While they may not actively seek out termites, they will eat them if they come across them while digging through the soil.
Termites are social insects that live in large colonies, so it’s not uncommon for moles to come across them while digging their tunnels.
How Do Moles Eat Termites?
Moles have small eyes and ears, but their sense of smell is excellent.
When they detect the presence of a termite, they will either dig up the soil to expose the termite or use their powerful front claws to grab it from its nest.
They will then consume the termite whole or crush it into smaller pieces before eating it.
Why Do Moles Eat Termites?
As insectivores, moles need a diet rich in insects to survive. Termites are a good source of protein and other nutrients that moles need to stay healthy.
While they may not actively seek out termites, they will eat them if they come across them while digging through the soil.
Implications for Backyard Owners
If you have a backyard that is infested with termites, moles can actually be a good thing. While they may cause some damage to your lawn by digging tunnels, they can also help control the termite population by eating them.
However, if you don’t want moles digging up your lawn, it’s best to find other ways to control the termite population, such as using termite baits or calling in a professional exterminator.
Other Animals That Might Eat Termites
Moles are not the only animals that eat termites.
Other insectivores, such as shrews, hedgehogs, and some birds, also feed on termites.
Some species of ants and beetles also prey on termites, so there are plenty of natural predators that can help control their population.
How To Keep Moles Out Of Your Yard!
There are several things that can be done to prevent moles from digging and eating stuff in your backyard. I will list some of the strategies below.
Also, you might want to check out all the things that attract moles to your yard in the first place!
1. Using ultrasonic sound (Best option)
Moles, have a very good hearing as they need to navigate with a very poor sight. This means that loud or consistent noises will scare them away or at least shorten their visits.
Check out my full buying guide for these ingenious ultrasonic repeller devices here!
One of my favorite technologies to keep moles away from my backyard is these cool solar-powered ultrasonic sound emitters that you can buy right from Amazon!
Because they sit in the ground where the sound waves are propagated downwards, they are perfect for scaring away moles!
In my experience, they really work, and the solar panels on top save you the time and money of changing batteries all the time.
My favorite ultrasonic emitters. Click to read more at Amazon.
They will also work against other rodents like groundhogs, mice, and rats!
2. Motion-activated sprinklers (Most efficient)
Like most animals, moles hate surprises, and they will run away if suddenly sprayed with water. I like this solution because it is humane, simple, effective, and does not require much time to set up.
My favorite sprinkler option here is the Havahart 5277.
The Havahart 5277 is a motion-activated sprinkler that is activated by the movement of animals up to 25 feet away and sprays them with a harmless water jet, frightening them off and keeping them at bay.
The included metal stake makes it easy to install in your garden, and the sprinkler can be rotated 180 degrees for maximum coverage.
Whereas it may not deter them from you yard all together, it will at least keep them in their tunnels!
3. Sprinkling natural repellents
Moles may be scared off by using natural scents such as coyote urine or predator scents.
They may also cause them to leave if there is a combination of sounds being played from a radio. The sounds include the sound of barking dogs and coyotes.
You can sprinkle dog hair, cayenne pepper or strong enteric oils and other natural repellents around the garden to keep the moles away.
See my complete list of humane ways to keep moles away from your yard for more tips and tricks!
4. Fencing around the garden
You can also fence around your garden to keep moles from entering the garden. It should be at least 3 feet deep and have a double row of fencing.
A good deep (underground) fence will keep moles out!
Moles are good diggers so it has to go underground or they may find a way into the garden even with the fences in place!
5. Using live traps
You can use a live trap to capture moles and move them to another area. Live trapping is currently the most humane way of mole control. Once you have removed all moles from an area, it is important to ensure that they do not come back by using fencing or other barriers to block access.
You can also just buy a live trap, as the sturdy metal ones shown here:
A live mole trap is a humane way to get permanently rid of moles in your yard.
A version with thick gloves for safe handling.
To lure the moles in, you can use one of the numerous favorite foods of moles or an optimized extra attractive formula like this one to make the catch even quicker!
## Conclusion
In conclusion, moles do eat termites, but it’s not their primary food source. As insectivores, moles need a diet rich in insects to survive, and termites are a good source of protein and other nutrients.
While they may cause some damage to your lawn by digging tunnels, they can also help control the termite population. If you’re dealing with a termite infestation in your backyard, it’s best to find other ways to control the population and avoid attracting moles to your lawn.
