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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2012 16:48:30 GMT -5
These smarty ferrets are getting better and better about making themselves at home by escaping the bathroom and all the playground equipment they have in there and venturing out into the living room. I know about putting wood on the bottom of the couch, etc but what do you use to keep them from getting behind furniture? I have big old antiques sitting on hardwood floors and they are behind everything, which would not be the worst thing in the world but what I worry about is them making a bathroom behind something. Moving these big pieces is not an easy thing so I would prefer they not get behind them at all. I also spend a fair amount of time being paranoid about where they are, so limiting their hidey holes would lessen my concern. That Mimsy,,,,she is something else. She climbs some of the gates, climbs every piece of furniture, jumps from one to the other, and hauls anything she deems interesting into her little hoard. I am trying to ferret proof the gates she can scale and I give up on keeping her from climbing and leaping. She is a frail thing so I am hoping all this athletic activity will boost her appetite and build some muscle! Is there something I can stuff between the backs of my big furniture and the walls that would keep these curious little critters in check?
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Post by Sherry on Jun 15, 2012 18:38:43 GMT -5
Nothing I've found yet that works over the long term! The problem is if it blocks them and one does find a way in or over they could well wind up trapped in there.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2012 4:04:57 GMT -5
he best thing I've found to do is to pull the furniture away from the wall by about 5 inches and put a tunnel in the space. the tunnel gives them a place to run through and so far *knocks on wood* nobody has chosen to poop on top of the tunnels. I use mostly black corrugated tubing for these behind the furniture tunnels. Tunnels run behind my roll top desk, the old steamer trunk, the hope chest, the sofa and the book cases. The bookcases of course are devoid of books on the bottom shelf..
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2012 9:35:38 GMT -5
Exactly Sherry! That was what I was worried about! I have tried to think of various things that I could scrunch up tight and squeeze in and nothing comes to mind that they couldn't figure out how to move or, heaven forbid, eat. I love the idea about the tubes, josiemom! I don't love the 5 inch thing but it might be the best alternative. At least for this one long old cupboard, which is probably the biggest issue aside from the corner cupboard. I have a humongous corner cupboard ( that is a family heirloom and so I am stuck with it forever or until one of my kids is nutty enough to think they want it. And every house I have bought, it had to have a corner big enough for this dang monstrosity!) Anyway, that thing is my biggest issue and I may have to break down and have my handy man come in and cut something that can be fit back there. He is pretty good and can probably make it tight regardless of my crooked walls in this 1800's house:( Thanks for the input!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2012 10:52:51 GMT -5
you have a 1800's house?! I have one thats turn of the century! built around 1890.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2012 17:09:34 GMT -5
Oh yeah....about the same vintage...1880's. A big ol' Italianate Victorian fix it nightmare. I had a handy husband one,,,,no more. One needs a handy something if one is going to own these old ladies. I used to say I would never own anything built after 1950...now I yearn for a 60's ranch : : So I got busy today and am preparing to put some tubing behind the big chest and holy cow the dust. This forces a big clean! No wonder Nibs is coughing!
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