Rats are one of the most problematic pests in the country, especially if they infest your property. They spread disease and cause damage at a rapid rate, and once they have infested a building, it can be difficult to get rid of them. Many homeowners will search high and wide for an effective method to deal with these pests, raising the question: Do ferrets kill rats?
In short, yes, ferrets do kill rats and have done so for centuries. However, whether you should use your pet ferret to tackle a rat problem is another matter entirely.
In this article, we’ll take a look at using ferrets as rat hunters.
Read on for more information…
Dangers of rats in a property
Before looking at how ferrets deal with rats, it’s important to understand why rats are such a serious issue. Not only are they a nuisance, but they also pose genuine health and safety risks, including:
- Property damage: Rats constantly gnaw to wear down their teeth, and can cause damage to all kinds of objects and furniture in your home.
- Spread of disease: Rats can transmit a variety of dangerous illnesses, including leptospirosis, salmonella, hantavirus and more.
- Contamination of food and surfaces: Rat droppings, urine and fur can contaminate food storage areas, leading to illness.
Do ferrets kill rats?
Yes, ferrets do kill rats. Ferrets are natural predators and have a strong hunting instinct. Even pet ferrets will maintain a prey drive, which makes them effective at catching rats, as they will always be tempted into a hunt.
In the wild, ferrets regularly hunt small mammals, such as rabbits, mice and rats, chasing them into burrows and using their sharp teeth and claws to immobilise and kill. Your pet ferret will still show some of this instinct if it comes into contact with fast-moving rodents.
However, it’s important to remember that not every ferret will act the same way. They all have unique personalities, and some will show little interest, especially if they are domesticated and comfortable in your home environment.
History of ferrets as ratters
Ferrets have been used as hunting companions for centuries. The practice of ferreting – the term used for using ferrets to hunt rodents – dates back more than two thousand years. In fact, the ancient Romans and Egyptians were known for keeping ferrets to control pests.
In medieval and Victorian times, ferrets were prized for their pest control abilities. They were small enough to follow rodents and rabbits into small, narrow tunnels, making them ideal for clearing out farms or ships before a voyage. What’s more, ferrets became so sought after that ferret owners even made an occupation out of the activity and would be hired to clear out buildings.
These days, ferrets are loved for being playful pets, but their natural hunting instincts remain. This means that they will happily chase and kill rats and other rodents if the opportunity presents itself.
Why are ferrets so good at hunting rats?
Ferrets have several traits that make them skilled hunters, including:
- Natural hunting – Ferrets are descendants of predators, and they have a natural instinct to chase, capture and kill small prey.
- High prey drive – They are naturally attracted to rodents that are moving quickly, so a scurrying rat is an irresistible target.
- Flexibility and size – Ferrets are long, slender and incredibly agile. They can squeeze through the narrowest of openings and burrow into holes that rats may be using as hiding places.
- Sharp teeth and claws – A ferret’s sharp teeth allow it to deliver quick, effective bites that immobilise prey, while its claws grip tightly.
- Persistence – Once a ferret has locked onto its prey, it relentlessly chases it down until it catches it.
Are ferrets better at killing rats than cats?
Sometimes ferrets are better at killing rats than cats, but this will depend on the individual animal. Both ferrets and cats are natural hunters, but their hunting styles differ. Cats tend to ambush their prey, whereas ferrets enjoy the thrill of the chase. Historically, ferrets were used to hunt rats, but these days, pet ferrets vary significantly in personality and temperament.
Many ferrets are affectionate rather than aggressive, so whether they’re better at killing rats than cats will depend on the specific animal.
Pros of using ferrets for rat control
Using ferrets for rat control has a range of benefits, including:
- Natural predators: Ferrets hunt through instinct, which makes them a natural and effective solution to a rat problem.
- Great in tight spaces: Their ability to enter burrows and narrow gaps means they can reach rats where other predators cannot.
- Environmentally friendly: Unlike using chemical poisons, ferrets do not contaminate soil, air or water.
- Cost-effective: Ferrets do not require any expensive equipment to hunt.
Cons of using ferrets for rat control
Despite the benefits, there are also some significant downsides to using ferrets for pest control:
- Risk of injury – Rats will fight back when their life is at risk, and your ferret may get injured or contract diseases.
- Unpredictable behaviour – Some ferrets will be too domesticated or disinterested in hunting, making them unpredictable and unreliable.
- Potential harm to other animals – A ferret’s instincts aren’t selective; they may also attack birds, rabbits or even other pet rodents instead of the rat you are targeting.
- Training – Effective hunting will need the ferret to be trained, which can take time and cost money.
Should you use your ferrets to get rid of rats?
While ferrets can and will kill rats, it’s generally not recommended to use your pet ferret for this purpose. Modern ferrets are primarily bred as pets and not working ratters. Sending your pet to hunt rats could put it in danger from bites, infections or exposure to rat-borne diseases.
If you have a trained working ferret, it might be able to deal with a small rat problem, but for the average pet owner, there are safer and more humane ways to tackle a rat problem without risking your ferret’s health.
If you have a serious rat problem, you should always consider professional pest control services.
