Hogarth's Pest Control specializes in all types of industries, residential and commercial.
Shrews are small, mole-like mammals most commonly found in gardens, wetlands, and fields. Though shrews appear to look like rodents with their short, gray fur, they belong to the same family as aardvarks and anteaters, which are the insectivores. The most common variety, the house shrew, is one of the smallest mammal species on the planet. These pests reach only three to four inches in length, including their tails, and weigh about an ounce or two. They range from gray to dark brown and are sometimes mistaken as small rats. These animals have poor vision and little eyes, but great senses of hearing and smell. They occasionally feed on fungi and seeds but prefer a diet of insects, earthworms, and snails. They are very active animals with voracious appetites, an unusually high metabolism. As a result, in captivity, they can eat up to half their body weight a day.
Since they solely feed on insects, shrews are most commonly found in lawns. Upon the arrival of winter, however, they tend to seek shelter in various indoor places such as sheds, garages, and basements. When homeowners come across these tiny pests, they are frequently mistaken as mice. Though both mammals are small in stature, shrews can be identified by their elongated snouts and minuscule eyes. Additionally, house mice typically have bi-colored fur and live in large groups, while shrews are solitary creatures with solid coats.
Eradication
Shrews can be beneficial in yards or gardens as they eat many unwanted insects. However, they are still unwelcome guests indoors. Shrews are very territorial and tend to be aggressive towards pets and humans. You should NOT handle them. Exclusion of the structure and trapping are the best means of prevention. Unlike with mice and rats, rodenticides are not an effective means for controlling these animals.
