What Do Shrews Eat In Andover, Massachusetts?
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If you are a homeowner in Andover, Massachusetts, one of the creatures you may need to think about is the small mammal known as the shrew. These voracious little critters are plentiful in the area, and if left unchecked can cause major damage to your property and landscape. Fortunately, understanding what shrews eat can help you control them and protect your home and yard. F&W Pest Control specializes in the safe and effective removal of these pests from your home and can help you keep them away.
What Are Shrews?
Shrews are small carnivorous mammals found all around the world, in almost any habitat. These mammals, which often resemble mice, can range greatly in size and color depending on the species. There are around 358 known species of shrews, with more being discovered each year.
The majority of shrews seen in Andover are American water shrews, which usually measure around 2 to 4 inches in length, and have a thin dark brown or black coat of fur. Shrews are highly active and require more food than other similarly-sized animals, such as mice. While they boast an exceptional metabolism and can eat up to three times their body weight in food each day, they must consume large amounts of food to keep their energy levels up.
What Do Shrews Eat?
Shrews are mainly insectivorous, meaning they survive mostly by eating insects. In addition to insects, some species also feed on small amphibians, worms, mollusks, and vertebrates. Depending on the species, they have also been known to nibble on fruits, carrion, and seeds.
Given their relatively small size, shrews cannot survive off large prey. They rely almost entirely on small insects and worms, which they feed on during the night. This makes them a major nuisance for gardeners, as they can quickly decimate an entire garden.
In addition to consuming insects, shrews also consume a vast amount of organic debris. This might include pollen, spore, fungi, and other plant matter. Some shrews have even been known to consume paper and other materials, given their need for additional energy.
How Can I Control Shrews?
Shrews can do a lot of damage to your property, and as such, it is important to control their population with regularity. Fortunately, there are many ways to control shrews and keep them away from your home and garden.
One of the most effective methods of controlling shrews is by providing them with bait that includes a granule-based insecticide. This bait is designed to be consumed by the shrews, and will effectively kill them without causing any serious harm to other wildlife or pets.
In addition to pesticide baits, there are also traps that can be used to catch shrews. While it may take some time to capture a sizable population of shrews, using traps is a humane and effective way of controlling their numbers.
Using F&W Pest Control
If you’re dealing with a large population of shrews or are simply uncomfortable dealing with them yourself, the experts at F&W Pest Control can help. Our integrated pest management approach (IPM) provides the professional quality you need with the environmentally responsible quality of a DIY approach. Trust the expert exterminators at F&W to get rid of your nuisance shrews this season. Get a free quote to start debugging your space today.
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