If you suspect your lawn has become an unwitting host to a pest, it’s important to understand the differences between the common culprits of yard damage: moles and shrews. While they belong to the same order, Eulipotyphla, they’re not the same critter. They both can do a good bit of damage, though, so if you think you have moles or shrews call us at Critter Control of New Hampshire.
What Is the Difference Between Moles and Shrews?
Both moles and shrews are digging animals that frequent residential yards. They share multiple similarities, including their eating habits, as both are insectivores. However, there are a few differences that distinguish one from the other, including their feeding habits, size, and tunneling preferences. But at the end of the day, both animals destroy your yard.
Shrew vs. Mole Damage
If your lawn is riddled with large ridges, the culprit is likely a mole, but if you find holes in your lawn that are about one inch wide, there’s a good chance they belong to shrews.
Moles create raised tunnels, making lawns uneven and causing plants to die due to disrupted root systems. They often leave behind large ridges and piles of dirt called molehills.
Shrews may leave tiny holes in your lawn, but since they spend plenty of time above ground, they may make their way into your home to find food or nesting areas. In the process, they may chew through wires, contaminate food, and create unpleasant odors with their droppings.
New Hampshire Mole Hill
New Hampshire moles are typically most active during the rainy seasons, including spring and fall. Your yard is home to moles’ favorite snacks: earthworms and grubs! When it rains, the earthworms and grubs are brought to the surface where moles can hunt and eat them. The weather and white grub life cycles result in the increase of mole problems in New Hampshire.
Getting Rid of Moles and Shrews
Homeowners can remedy mole problems by placing traps underground, one of the fastest and most effective removal methods. To remove shrews, use common rodent-proofing methods like sealing gaps and cracks around homes or removing food sources. Keep in mind that many mouse traps don’t work with shrews because the pests are light enough to not trigger the trap.
Other mole and shrew removal and deterrent methods include:
- Removing food sources, such as insects, via insect control methods, or sealing food sources and properly storing pet food to make your property less attractive
- Using traps set in active tunnels or near known travel routes for shrews
- Using castor oil-based repellents for moles or ultrasonic or scent-based repellents for shrews
- Sealing entry points to your home for shrews or installing underground barriers to stop moles from burrowing
Comprehensive Mole/Shrew Control Services Near You
Whether moles or shrews are digging up your yard, we can take care of either pest for you. Our services include trapping, exclusions, and an ongoing maintenance program.
Moles and shrews are both territorial. After successfully controlling the current population, your yard is vulnerable to different moles or shrews. It has been established your yard has the requisite resources to support the pests. Our mole/shrew control runs the entire season starting in spring and ending in the fall when it starts to get cold.