Randy Chandler
Moles are small, burrowing mammals that are considered pests by gardeners due to their extensive tunnel systems, which can damage plant roots and create unsightly holes in lawns. Moles are insectivores, and their diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates found in the soil, including earthworms, grubs, slugs, and snails. While moles do not actively seek out and eat plant roots, their tunneling activities can disturb root systems, causing plants to become stressed and potentially leading to damage or death. Interestingly, despite their preference for insects, moles in captivity have been known to eat cheese with no qualms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do moles like cheese? | Moles in captivity will eat cheese. |
| Diet | Moles are insectivores. They eat insects, worms, grubs, snails, spiders, small animals, plant roots, meat, seeds, and other invertebrates. |
| Foraging strategy | Moles use their sense of smell to locate prey and ambush them from their tunnels. |
| Daily food intake | Moles eat 60-100% of their body weight in food every day. |
| Lifespan | Moles live for around three years. |
| Habitat | Moles are subterranean and dwell underground in burrows they dig for themselves. |
| Appearance | Moles have cylindrical bodies, velvety fur, small eyes and ears, reduced hindlimbs, and short, powerful forelimbs with large paws. They are around 6-8 inches long with soft brown to dark grey fur. |
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What You'll Learn
Moles in captivity will eat cheese
Moles are insectivores, and their diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. They are known to eat earthworms, grubs, snails, spiders, slugs, larvae, and other invertebrates. Moles are generally around 6-8 inches long and spend most of their time underground, rarely making an above-ground appearance. They have soft brown to dark grey fur, long snouts, and oversized front feet with large, sharp claws.
Moles are not attracted to peanut butter or peppermint oil, as their tastes do not include nuts or sugar. Their habitat is also not conducive to finding peanut butter, as they live underground. Moles are known to have a voracious appetite, consuming almost their entire body weight each day. This is driven by their high metabolism and the need to maintain energy for continuous digging.
While moles primarily target invertebrates, they can also eat plant roots, meat, and seeds. They may also eat the remains of dead birds that they come across, but this is not a primary food source for them. Moles in captivity will eat cheese, frogs, and mutton with no qualms. If you are trying to lure a mole out of your yard, peanut butter and peppermint oil are not effective baits.
Moles are considered pests by gardeners due to their tunneling habits, which can wreak havoc on gardens and lawns. They create tunnel systems that serve as their foraging ground, and their extensive digging can expose roots, making plants more susceptible to diseases and environmental stress. However, moles can also benefit nearby plants by reducing pest numbers. Understanding what moles eat is crucial for effective mole control and appreciating their role in the ecosystem.
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Moles are insectivores
Moles have long snouts with a special nerve ending that can detect whether something is edible. They use their snouts to grip and absorb food faster than the human eye can see. Moles are not attracted to peanut butter or gum, and these items are not suitable for luring or trapping moles. Moles are also not attracted to peppermint oil or nuts, and their habitats are not conducive to these types of baits.
Moles are considered pests by gardeners due to their tunneling habits, which can wreak havoc on lawns and gardens. Moles dig extensive tunnel systems that serve as their foraging ground, and these tunnels can compromise root systems, making plants more susceptible to diseases and environmental stress. Moles can also disturb flower bulbs and vegetable roots while tunneling, causing plants to become stressed or die.
While moles primarily target invertebrates, they can inadvertently impact plants. Moles do not actively seek out garden plants, but their activities can affect plant health. They may also consume plant roots, meat, and seeds, but these are not their primary food sources. Moles are specialized feeders with unique hunting and foraging techniques, utilizing their keen sense of smell to locate prey underground.
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Moles are subterranean
Moles have a unique diet that primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates found in the soil. They are insectivores, and their diet is driven by their nutritional needs. Moles mostly eat earthworms, which are a staple in their diet due to their high protein content. They also consume grubs, snails, slugs, ants, termites, beetles, centipedes, and other insects. Moles have a voracious appetite, eating almost their entire body weight each day. This insatiable appetite is driven by their high metabolism and the need for energy for continuous digging.
Moles are not attracted to peanut butter or gum, as their habitat and dietary preferences are below the ground. They have a strong sense of smell, which they use to locate prey underground. Moles are known to eat plant roots, meat, and seeds, but their diet is mostly carnivorous. Moles can have mixed effects on plants, as they may inadvertently damage root systems while tunneling. While moles do not actively seek out garden plants, their activities can impact plant health.
Moles are considered pests by gardeners due to the damage they cause to lawns and gardens. However, they also provide positive contributions to soil, gardens, and ecosystems, including soil aeration, feeding on pests that eat plant roots, and providing prey for other wildlife. Understanding the dietary preferences of moles can aid in implementing targeted prevention methods and reducing the likelihood of infestation.
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Moles are not attracted to peanut butter
Moles are insectivores, meaning their diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. They feed on small wildlife, including bugs, worms, slugs, and snails. Moles are known to eat plant roots, meat, and seeds, but their diet is mostly carnivorous. Moles have a voracious appetite, consuming large quantities of food—up to 100% of their body weight daily—driven by their high metabolism and the need for energy to continuously dig.
Despite moles' diverse diet, they are not attracted to peanut butter. Moles have evolved to crave a specific insectivore diet, and their tastes do not include nuts or sugar. Additionally, their subterranean habitat is not conducive to finding peanut butter. While peanut butter can be used to lure various pests, moles are an exception. Vermin and rodents, which live out in the open, can easily sniff out and be attracted to the aroma of peanut butter.
There are several methods to control moles in your yard or garden. Natural deterrents include planting certain plants, such as marigolds and castor beans, around the perimeter of your garden. Some sources suggest that cat litter and blood meals can repel moles, or you can smoke their burrows. If these methods are ineffective, you may need to contact wildlife removal and pest control experts for professional assistance.
It is important to understand what moles eat and implement targeted prevention methods to reduce the likelihood of infestation. While moles may be viewed as pests by gardeners, they also provide positive contributions to soil, gardens, and ecosystems, including soil aeration, feeding on pests that eat plant roots, and providing prey for other wildlife.
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Moles can be repelled by certain plants
Moles are ground-dwelling mammals that are easily recognised by their hairless, pointed snouts, tiny eyes, and oversized front feet with paddle-shaped hands and large, sharp claws. They are mostly carnivorous, with a specialised diet consisting of insects, earthworms, slugs, larvae, and other invertebrates. They rarely eat plants, but they can kill plant life by disturbing root systems while burrowing and foraging for food.
While moles won't eat your flowers, their presence in your yard or garden can be a nuisance due to the destruction they leave behind. The tell-tale sign of moles is the appearance of molehills—piles of fine soil thrown to the surface as they make their burrows. Fortunately, there are several plants you can grow to deter moles and create a natural barrier around your yard or garden.
Daffodils are one such plant. With their beautiful appearance and hardy nature, daffodils are a delightful addition to any yard or garden. But moles tend to steer clear of these flowers, especially their bulbs, as they are known to be toxic to moles. Daffodil bulbs contain the chemical lycorine, which is also effective at keeping squirrels, mice, and voles away. However, it's important to note that daffodils are toxic to cats, dogs, and children, so they may not be the best option if you have young family members or pets.
Another plant that can repel moles is the castor bean plant, also known as Ricinus communis. This plant has a thick, hedge-like appearance with star-shaped leaves and red, spiky seed pods. While the plant itself is harmless to moles, its scent will deter them. The seeds of the castor bean plant contain ricin, which is highly poisonous to humans, cats, dogs, and other animals, so it should be grown with caution.
Additionally, alliums can be effective in repelling moles. Alliums are closely related to onions and have erect stalks with pom-pom-shaped flower heads that bloom in purple. When the foliage is damaged or bruised, it releases a distinct oniony aroma that repels moles and other pests. Alliums prefer full sun but can also tolerate part-shade, and they don't require frequent watering. However, similar to daffodils, alliums are toxic to dogs, cats, and children, so they may not be suitable for yards or gardens that are easily accessible to children and pets.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, moles in captivity will eat cheese.
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Moles are insectivores and their diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. They eat worms, slugs, larvae, snails, spiders, small animals, and plant roots.
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Moles eat a lot of food for their size because they have a high metabolism and need energy for continuous digging.
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Moles use their sense of smell to locate prey and dig tunnels to help them navigate and find food.
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Certain plants, like marigolds and castor beans, are known to repel moles. You can also call wildlife removal and pest control experts.
