The way to Get Rid of Shrews



The bad news is that there are no repellents, toxins, fumigants or offensive materials registered or scientifically proven to repel or control shrews. The silver lining for gardeners is that these miniature, ratlike animals are not rodents. They’re beneficial insectivores that consume up to three times their own weight in insects, slugs, snails and mice at a 24-hour span. While a shrew may occasionally dig a little hole in your lawn or garden, it is not intent on destroying property or plant. The voracious predator seeks to destroy insects that cause a lot more damage than the little hole it dug. If you just can’t abide the critter’s existence, take nonlethal measures to make your property less attractive for it. Shrews pursue better pickings elsewhere if the environment is inhospitable.

Eliminate shrew-friendly shelters from your premises, or locate them as far from the garden as possible. The animals would rather have a covert surroundings with convenient hiding places. Move stacks of firewood, bricks or other materials. Eliminate piles of leaves, debris and vegetative garden waste.

Keep your lawn cut as short as possible. Mowing significantly decreases shrew habitat in yards. Trim back shrubs and low-hanging tree limbs to eliminate potential shrew hideouts. These animals do not like open spaces, which render them vulnerable to many distinct predators.

Treat lawn and gardens for pest pests regularly throughout the year. Whether you would like natural or chemical commands, eliminating bugs would be the best way to deprive shrews of the No. 1 food resource. Because these animals have to eat at least every three to four hours to encourage high metabolism, they won’t stick around for long without convenient, readily available sustenance.

Eliminate alternate food sources and simple handouts. Feed pets inside if at all possible. Feed outside pets after each day and bring dishes inside immediately after they’re through. Wash up under and around bird feeders each day. Suet feeders are particularly vulnerable. While shrews do not typically seek out pet kibble or grains as first choice food sources, they will consume the things as a last resort if nothing else is available. Store animal feeds in glass, metal or hard plastic containers. Keep outside garbage and rubbish receptacles tightly covered.

Remove low-lying or dusting water resources. Water your gardens and lawn just as much as needed. Don’t overwater. Avoid creating moist environments, which are highly appealing to shrews since their high metabolic rates produce high moisture requirements. These animals can become dehydrated quickly and easily. Moist environments also tend to attract insect insects, diversifying and growing accessible shrew food supplies.

Allow your dog or cat to patrol the region as much as possible. Cats are particularly great at shrew management, even though they do not usually eat the kill. This is most likely because of the noxious, musky odor that distressed shrews emit. Without exception, shrews are solitary by nature and will not tolerate the continuous or regular presence of different animals — including their own kind.

Make lots of sound and make as big a ruckus as you can in areas where you suspect shrew action. Shout, clap your hands, bang a wooden spoon in a vintage cooking pot. Take a mobile radio along with you when you garden. Crank it up if the neighbours willn`t mind. Send the children out to play with toys that are noisy and cap guns. While no evidence exists to indicate that shrews do not like sound or other intrusions, it stands to reason that such reclusive animals avoid raucous experiences and disturbances.

Treat your property with predator pee. Shrews, such as most prey species, which are hunted by many animals. They tend to avoid regions where predators hang out, patrol regularly and mark with pee. Follow the packaging instructions.

See related