DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

Belgian rat catcher uses ferrets and dogs for pest control: 'That cooperation is magical'

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • A Belgian collective called Ratlab uses trained ferrets and dogs to control rat populations.
  • The method involves using ferrets to flush rats out of their burrows into areas where dogs await them.
  • This approach avoids poison and is presented as a more natural and efficient alternative to traditional pest control.

In Genk, Belgium, a unique and effective method for rat control is being employed by a collective known as Ratlab. This initiative, spearheaded by Maaseik resident Jordy Skoropinski, utilizes a team of 20 ferrets and 4 trained dogs to tackle rat infestations. The process relies on the natural instincts of these predators, creating a dynamic partnership to manage rodent populations without resorting to poison.

The rat is a very smart and cunning creature.

— Jordy SkoropinskiExplaining the challenges of controlling rat populations.

Skoropinski explains that rats are intelligent creatures, adept at sensing human presence and unusual activity. To counter this, Ratlab implements a meticulous tactical plan. The entire area is cordoned off with nets, dividing it into smaller compartments. This prevents rats from escaping and ensures that any attempt to flee leads them into a controlled zone where the dogs can intercept them. "You can have a very good team of dogs and ferrets, but you don't want to be chasing those rats all the time," Skoropinski notes.

You can have a very good team of dogs and ferrets, but you don't want to be chasing those rats all the time.

— Jordy SkoropinskiHighlighting the importance of a controlled environment for the operation.

The core of the operation involves releasing ferrets into the rats' underground tunnel systems. The ferrets' presence creates pressure, triggering the rats' natural flight reflex. As the rats emerge from their burrows, the waiting dogs, described as faster and more efficient in this scenario, are ready to capture them. Skoropinski emphasizes that the ferrets are not intended to fight the rats underground; the goal is solely to encourage their escape. "We simply use the rat's flight reflex," he states.

We simply use the rat's flight reflex.

— Jordy SkoropinskiDescribing the core mechanism of the ferret and dog collaboration.

This collaboration between humans, ferrets, and dogs is described as "magical." Skoropinski likens it to natural predator pairings, such as a stoat and a fox. The ferret, a domesticated stoat, can navigate the tunnels effectively but is too slow above ground. The dog, akin to a fox, can dig but cannot access the deepest parts of the rat burrows. By combining these strengths, Ratlab offers a professional, animal-friendly, and efficient solution to rat overpopulation, avoiding the risks associated with poisons to other wildlife like hedgehogs and birds.

It is the cooperation between the owner, the ferret, and the dog that makes it magical.

— Jordy SkoropinskiSummarizing the effectiveness and unique nature of the Ratlab method.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog