VOLES

Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are small rodents that typically eat seeds, sedges, grain, grasses, and bark.  They can damage lawns, gardens, crops, golf courses, and irrigation systems by digging extensive tunnels through vegetation/turf. Distinguished from moles and shrews, by their round, blunted noses and sharp, chisel-like teeth, voles are herbivores and excellent swimmers. 

* Trapping is the most effective method for controlling both voles & shrews 

The Northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda) is the largest shrew in North America. One of the few venomous mammals in the world, these shrews’ salivary glands produce a toxic material which helps in subduing its prey. Although smaller than moles, typically 3 to 4 inches in length, shrews have even higher metabolism than moles and are active year-round, both day and night. Spiders, crickets, worms and other invertebrates make up the bulk of their diet, but they have been known to kill prey larger than themselves, such as small snakes and mice. 

   Bites are dangerous for domestic pets, and can cause burning and swelling in humans. Belonging to the order Insectivore, shrews (like moles) are not true rodents, and rarely enter human structures.