Since shrews are so plentiful throughout North America, they consistently come into contact with humans, which often generates the need for shrew control. Their diets often lead them into private gardens and lawns. Though shrews do not traditionally invade homes, preferring to nest inside the ground, they will retreat into barns, basements, and sheds in areas with harsh, cold winters.

Since they eat other pest species like spiders and beetles, shrews are capable of benefiting people. However, in areas where populations grow large enough, the tiny mammals also cause destruction. Their consumption of seeds occasionally affects overall tree populations. Some species of shrews target bees as food sources and devastate pollination efforts. Shrews give off a pungent musky odor that’s especially offensive when they gather in large numbers, as well.

Additionally, shrew populations may break into homes to feed on stores of food. Since they eat approximately three times their weight in food per day, losses tend to be significant. Furthermore, their urine and feces contaminate the products they feed on. Finally, some shrews are venomous. Though their venom is primarily used to paralyze prey, shrews will bite humans if they are mishandled or feel threatened. Thankfully, bites do not usually require medical attention and occur only rarely.

Shrew control begins with rodent-proofing methods of exclusion. Helpful actions to take include erecting fences around vegetable gardens, sealing cracks in building foundations with caulk, replacing broken window and door screens, keeping food in tightly sealed storage bins, fitting indoor and outdoor trash bins with lids, and maintaining lawns and ornamental vegetation.

Though shrew bites are rare, they are most often the result of mishandling. To avoid injury, untrained individuals should never attempt to capture problematic shrews. Instead, contact Trutech wildlife specialists to remove the pests in such a way that keeps both the involved people and animals safe.