FERRETS CRAP AND SQUIRRELS SCAT! I'd love to see that headline. To answer the question, I don't think so, but I don't have a reference to back up the opinion. The reason I doubt it is because ferrets (or rather their wild kin) coevolved with different prey species than the squirels made in the USA. The prey just doesn't recognize the predator, which is partial reason for the deadly success of imported predators in island ecosystems. There are some references that claim ferret scat will drive away rats and mice, but I suspect they are talking about the imported Old World species of Mus musculus and Rattus rattus/norvegicus. Every book I've read on ferreting indicates the smell scares European rabbits. I know the smell of ferret used to drive Satan, the family lop bunny (domestic form of the European bunny), absolutely bonkers; but once he learned he was not lunch, he got along fine with them. Well, he would chase them. If anything, the secret ingredent is not actually the scat, but rather the scent from the anal glands. Our domestic ferret may be somewhat gregarious, but their ancestors were certainly not. The stinky from the anal gland can be used as defense, but it is also used as a signpost, saying to other polecats, "This is my spot and my land and keep away or I will fight you!" The good news is because of this, we can get the beasties to dump on litter. The bad news is they want to outline their territory with poopie. (EVERY corner of the room?) Also, while the poopinators may be gregarious, they are also a slave to instinct, so the introduction of new ferrets MAY (not always. Sometimes it can be cause by new people, furniture, or surroundings) cause a "poop war," where one or more poopmeister seems to forget where the box is, even though they are right beside it. They want "thiers" to be distinct from the others, and it does not matter if we know the anal glands are visiting the reproductive organs in body-part heaven, they don't, so 'Party On, Dude' becomes 'This is MY PLACE!' (Bet the worst offenders are the alpha males. Most of my oopsies come during dominance disagreements between the big guys.) This is common behavior in most carnivores (most, like the dog, have anal glands.), especially those leading a solitary and/or territorial existence. I have tracked the territory of coyotes by following the little piles of poop, and seen distinct and separate piles (from distinct and separate coyotes) at the border of two different territories. I have seen similar piles from mink and fox. Urine is also used to mark territory, but is not as permanent. Besides, many carnivores, including mustelids, use urine as a sexual come-on, and will pee on themselves or their prospective partner to help make woopie. Not to start a descenting war, but while the act of descenting a ferret may not effect ITS smell, it does make a difference in the smell of the poopie. I have both varieties, scented and descented, and I can tell exactly who misses the box. Its as clear as the nose on the front of my face.... So....IF the poopie COULD work, it would have to be from a "scented" ferret, rather than the descented kind; otherwise, (sorry, I have to say it) its just BS. On another note, this is my recipe for FERRET JERKY. Take one Jerk and cut off his...... Sorry. I use a lean brisket and slice it into thin strips, removing all fat in the process. I soak the cut meat in water containing ferretone (about 1 tablespoon per liter) and smoke flavoring. I then spread out the meat on drying trays, spray with lemon juice, and dry in the dehydrator. (I also use the oven set at 150 degrees F with the door propped open when someone else is using the dehydrator, the scum!). The ferretone adds flavor (the drying process may distroy the vitamins; don't know) as does the liquid smoke. The lemon juice acts as an anti-oxidant for whatever fats that are left behind. When dry, I cut the jerky with scissors into strips about 1/4 inch wide and 1 inch long. I give each beastie two strips a day. Its a hoot to see the furred-snakes with their noses working the air when the lid to the jerky tin is opened. I use the same recipe with chicken, turkey, and trout. All work well, and are equally loved. BTW, I make my own raisins and other dried treats because a common method of insuring that fruit doesn't grow mold is to treat it with a fungicide; sulphur is common. As you know, I have to take care of my own food-tube, and the fungicides make me gassy. While the added thingies are no-doubt safe for human and ferret consumption (no can-o-worms, please!), I like the fresh and untreated stuff better, as does my delicate GI tract. Its cheaper, you can make anything you want, and it makes the house smell real good (unless you're drying fish....). Will scat for now; don't want to be a jerk... BoB Moose, Stella, Daye, Tori, Bear, Apollo, Buddy, Foster, and Razz. Foster says, "I don't know what those black strips are, but I want some....can you wait while I poop next to the litter box? Got anymore peanut butter? What about that dried pineapple? Sunflower seed paste?...." [Posted in FML issue 1385]