Key Takeaways Shrew vs Mole
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 in your lawn or home, here’s what you need to know about shrews vs. moles.
- Moles and shrews, while similar, have distinct physical differences, behaviors, and diets.
- Moles primarily tunnel underground, while shrews spend a good amount of time above ground.
- Moles consume insects and grubs, whereas shrews have a varied diet that includes small animals and insects.
- Both moles and shrews can cause damage, but in different ways—moles typically disrupt soil and lawns, whereas shrews may invade your home.
- To remove each animal, you’ll need to use specific removal methods, including habitat modification and exclusion techniques.
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.
Shrew vs. Mole Feeding Habits
Mole Feeding Habits
Moles mainly create underground tunnels to feed. They’re insectivores, usually consuming earthworms, grubs, and other soil-dwelling insects. To find their food, they’ll use their broad, powerful front paws to burrow underneath your yard, relying on their sensitive snouts and specialized hearing to detect vibrations from moving insects.
To hunt their prey, they tunnel between six and 12 inches beneath the soil to hunt their prey, which can create noticeable ridges in your lawn. They usually tunnel deeper for nesting, diving up to two feet underground for rest.
Shrew Feeding Habits
On the other hand, shrews scavenge on the surface of lawns. While they can dig their own holes, these pests also use other animals’ tunnels to find insects.
They’re opportunistic feeders that consume a far more varied diet than moles. They’ll eat insects, earthworms, spiders, snails, and even small vertebrates like mice or baby birds. Some shrew species are venomous, using their saliva to immobilize prey and consume animals much larger than they are.
Unlike moles, shrews don’t rely on tunnels for hunting. Instead, they look both above and below ground, hunting constantly to keep up with their remarkably fast metabolism. They usually need to eat frequently throughout the day, sometimes every few hours, and when food is scarce, their aggressive nature shines through and leads them to fight over food.
Shrew and Mole Appearance
What Do Moles Look Like?
Both moles and shrews have dark fur, rounded bodies, and long, pointed snouts. However, a few mole traits differentiate them from shrews. They’re larger in size and have large forefeet that point outward for ease of digging. Their eyes and ears are tiny, hidden by their thick fur.
What Do Shrews Look Like?
A shrew’s appearance is smaller than moles, with significantly smaller feet than their mole relatives. Unlike moles, shrews have tiny but visible eyes and ears. Additionally, since they spend more time outside their tunnels, you’re more likely to spot a shrew than a mole.
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.
Are Moles or Shrews Dangerous?
Moles and shrews aren’t inherently dangerous, but like most animals, they will bite if threatened. Moles tend to avoid people, spending most of their time underground.
Shrews, on the other hand, are more likely to be seen since they spend more time above ground. If handled, they may bite. Since there are venomous shrews, shrew bites can hurt, although they’re unlikely to do more than cause mild irritation. If they make their way into your home, their presence can lead to sanitation issues, particularly if they contaminate food or create nests.
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
These differences in shrew vs. mole control mean that identifying the wildlife problem correctly is important.
Contact Critter Control Today
If you suspect you’re dealing with a mole or shrew problem, don’t wait for them to cause all sorts of damage—call Critter Control today at 1 (800) 274-8837. We have the experience and tools necessary to safely and humanely remove them and prevent them from returning. Contact us today to learn more about our expert pest removal services.