ELUSORY--
       Our ferrets did this until we modified the offending chairs
and box springs.  There are two cheap and effective ways I can think
of for you to stop this.  We've used both and not had a ferret get
into the furniture since we modified it.  Buy either sheets of
fiberboard (like the pegboard stuff stores use to display gadgets on,
all gadgets hanging from metal rods inserted into the small holes) or
a flat bed sheet.  Cut to the size of the area to be protected (with
the sheet, cut it a little larger and fold under any excess to
prevent fraying).  Use a staple gun to affix the sheet, carefully
stretching and tucking to avoid puckers that ferrets can get their
claws into.  Be careful not to use to low a thread count sheet, as
the ferret may be able to hook it's claws into larger spaces between
fabric threads (use 180 or higher thread count).  If you are using
the fiber board/pegboard material, use small metal staples (u-shaped
"tacks", not office type) and drive them with a hammer.  In either
case, be sure to use lots of fairly closely placed fasteners.  Expect
the ferrets to scratch at the protective coverings for a few weeks
until they accept that they can no longer get into those spots.  Our
sheet protected box springs withstood all scratching tests the
ferrets put them to!
 
        Debra in Ft. Worth, TX
 
If you aren't part of a solution, you are a precipitate.
 
[Posted in FML issue 0808]