Mole Vs Shrew: The 10 Main Differences And How To Distinguish Which Culprit Is Tearing Up Your Yard

Moles are most easily identified by their pointed snout and the enlarged front feet that they use for digging. They usually live in underground tunnels and are predatory in nature. They usually eat beetles, earthworms, grubs and other arthropods and animals that live in the soil. You can tell a mole from a vole because a mole's ears sit very close to their head and are covered in fur, making them nearly invisible. Their eyes are also nearly invisible.

A shrew is most easily identified by its front feet which are approximately the same size as their hind feet. Depending on the species, they have many habitats.

They usually find their food by reusing tunnels dug by moles or voles. but sometimes they will slip into your home through cracks in the foundation. They feed on insects, earthworms and slugs. However, unlike moles, a shrew will also eat small animals, seeds and roots. A mole will never eat a plant. They are strictly carnivores.

Baits kill moles are extremely effective because they simulate earthworms and grubs, a primary food source for moles. Moles will die within 12 to 24 hours of ingestion underground in their tunnels.

Traps are another great method for getting rid of moles. They're most effective when set in the spring or fall. Place the trap in front of an active runway. You can usually identify this as a straight tunnel or tunnels that follow your yard's perimeters. Poke a hole in the top of the runway with a small probe, half-inch dowel or your index finger. If this runway is repaired in a day or two, it is an active runway and the perfect place for your trap.

Keep your lawn as short as possible. The more frequently you mow, the less likely shrews will find a good place to call home. You should also keep shrubs trimmed back and remove low-hanging tree limbs regularly. Shrews hate open spaces because they can be left vulnerable to predators.

Treat your lawn and any gardens you have for pests of the insect variety every month. Regardless of whether you prefer commercial chemicals or natural population control methods, eliminating these bugs takes away shrews' primary food source.

Shrews have an extremely high metabolism, easily eating 60% of their body weight per day. If there aren't enough insects to support them eating every three to four hours, they will leave without you having to trap and kill them.

If you have outdoor pets, feed them inside. If you absolutely cannot have your pets inside, bring their dishes inside as soon as they are done eating. Clean around and beneath bird feeders daily.

This may seem like a lot of work but it's worth it because shrews live in large families and can become very aggressive. If you have horses, store any feed in hard plastic, glass or metal containers. Make sure your outdoor garbage receptacles are covered tightly.

Don't over-water your yard. Watering your gardens and lawn is necessary, but overwatering creates a moist environment and makes your yard extremely attractive to shrews. Due to their high metabolic rates, these animals quickly and easily become dehydrated. Moist environments also attract other pests, like mosquitoes, that shrews eat.

Since shrews are territorial, they will attack outdoor pets. However, it's a good idea to let your indoor cat or dog patrol the yard every once in a while. Cats aren't ideal for this because they kill shrews but don't eat them. This is because of the horrendous musk left behind by the dead shrews. Medium-to-large sized dogs can also find and kill shrews.

Shrews can't stand living with creatures outside of their own species. If you don't want to kill the shrews, simply walking your dog around your lawn can be enough to entice them to leave.

This advice depends on your local noise ordinances. However, if you live in a rural area, crank up a portable radio near where you suspect shrews to be living. Alternatively, you can clap your hands, shout or bang a wooden spoon over an old cooking pot. If you have older kids, when you suspect shrew activity is the perfect time to invite them outside to play with cap guns and other noisy toys.

Shrews are hunted by a number of predators. A surprisingly effective technique is spraying the yard with predator urine. Spray this wherever you suspect shrew activity.