Save the shrews (and wood mice)

Bijdezee

So, we have a nasty rat in that hole by the pond. Hubby set two rat traps, but of course what have we caught? A shrew. I want to keep the little guys    They are good for the garden and the little owls in the field. He baited them with choccy and peanut butter. I didn't think shrews would be interested in that but I was wrong.

Any suggestions what to use as bait that will attract a rat but not a shrew, if that is possible. 

GemmaJF

Air rifle. We have shrews, voles, field mice. Unfortunately, and I really don't like doing it, a .22 is the most effective way to get rid of rats while protecting other wildlife. That and I changed how I compost so I don't attract rats so much. Not seen any for a good few years now. If you want to bait still, fish is supposed to be good, but I never once caught a rat in a trap. That is why in the end I bought the air rifle.

Bijdezee

Hubby has an air rifle but this beggar only appears at night  .

The compost doesn't seem to attract them now that I have a different system. 

We haven't managed to kill one in a trap either. Don't want to leave poison out, it's dangerous to other animals, expensive and I think they are resistant any way. Thinking of flooding its hole. Hubby on standby with the rifle. What a scene  . How to pass the time on lock down. 

Big Blue Sky

We use humane mouse traps as sometimes we have field mice trying to build nests in the attic. We then bring them a mile or so away from our house and let them out in the fields where they hopefully will stay. 

Maybe if you use such a trap you can let out the shrew and mice and do what ever feels right with the rats?

If needed I can recommend a really good humane mice trap we bought on amazon as it works really great for us. 

Bijdezee

BigBlueSky. Thanks - We have a humane one but not for rats. I don't think we want to have to kill it up close plus its illegal here to release them