I have had some success with a combination of plastic carpet runners, old
sweats or towels and lots of extra food bowls.  I put the carpet runner
down in the corner the ferrets love to poop in, then put the towel or shirt
down.  Finally, I put the food bowl in front of the cloth.  This seems to
work 90% of the time or even more.  The runner is for the times it doesn't
fool them at all.  They know good and well this is a corner meant for
pooping, not sleeping or eating.
 
The corner behind the bedroom door is a special problem.  I have to have two
towels as well as the food bowl.  They still poop there about once a week,
so the second towel is for when I have to remove the dirty one.  Also, the
extra height of it seems to throw their poop radar off.  One towel only
deters 5 out of the 6.  Someone still goes there.  So, two seems to get all
6 to see this as a cuddly place.
 
Without the food, the towels or sweatshirts only have about a 60% success
rate at detering the little buggers.  Good luck!
 
D
[Posted in FML issue 2492]