Posted by jill stone on April 4, 2006

Q: I have a pest in my house, i originally thought it was a mouse/mice...but we have tried different kinds of traps and poison and nothing is working. I saw it the other day outside running along the side of the house and it looked like a mouse with little ears a short stubby tail and short, hazel brown fur it was approximately three inches long. We live in a city and right behind us is an open field with lots of water. Would either of these (vole or lemming) come into a house? If so how do I get rid of it?

State: Manitoba

A: Thank you so much for your good description and info on habitat - very helpful. I don't think you have a vole OR lemming! I think it's a shrew! Shrews are insectivores (they eat insects, worms, and spiders) but do eat some seeds. Unlike mice, they aren't going to cause damage by gnawing anything in your house. No doubt, this little guy is living in your home and then ranging outside to find food. Shrews are very difficult to ID but since you live near a wet meadow, I'm putting my bet on an Arctic Shrew (Sorex arcticus) which likes wet areas. If you don't mind "sharing" space, your home will have fewer insects this spring and summer. Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( April 4, 2006)