Do Moles & Fire Ants Eat Zoysia Grass?

Moles and fire ants can seriously damage soils where zoysia grass grows. However, the damage does not usually stem from feeding. These pests conduct other activities that reduce the quality of the turfgrass.

Fire Ant Diet

Omnivorous insects, fire ants eat both plant and animal materials. According to the North Carolina State University, fire ants don't eat mature zoysia grass but they eat grass seeds, preventing new grass from becoming established. Fire ants also build tunnels that reduce water intake and soil mounds that interfere with mowing.

Mole Diet

Moles mainly eat earthworms, supplementing their diet with insects, such as grubs and beetles. They only eat very small amounts of plant materials, including zoysia grass. According to Texas AgriLife Extension Service, moles mainly damage zoysia grass by drying out the roots in their tunnels and creating ridges in the soil surface.

Prevention/Solution

Insecticidal baits can help reduce fire ant populations. Worker ants find the bait and share it with other members of the colony, killing large numbers of ants. According to Texas AgriLife Extension Service, trapping can effectively control mole infestations.

References

• University of Arkansas: Twenty Questions About Fire Ants
• North Carolina State University: How to Control Ants in the Lawn
• Texas AgriLife Extension Service: Mole Control
• AZ Master Gardener: Insect Pests of Turf Grass