I think I have deduced how the cats pulled the screen from the cat-room window Monday night.
At the bottom of each screen’s frame is a small, squarish plastic loop. I imagine that it is intended for exactly what Moxy and Sable - I believe it was the two of them working on it over time - used it: to pull out the screen. As is the way with cats, they probably saw it, tapped it, found they could hold on to it, and started pulling it. Not a great proportion of the screen’s frame is in the slot in which it rests in the window’s frame, so it would not take a lot of effort to release it.
At the moment, I have no idea of how to secure the frame in its place, so I am leaving the windows open a minimal amount while I am absent and at night, creating too small a space for even Valkyrie’s slender head to fit through. The windows do not open or close in response to pushing and pulling, only to turning the crank at the bottom.
So far, no cat has figured out how to operate that. It may be only a matter of time, however…
no joke…get gorilla tape, it’s clear, and cut it length and width wise , you can use it along the top and sides, leaving the loop as is. Gorilla tape is literally holding the over the porch siding in place after it came down after a fierce wind storm last year. I can send you photos …
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea! Gorilla tape is currently holding my back gate together...
DeleteI have the same kind of screens and cranks, but mine are on the sides of the windows and never were accessible to my angels, thank goodness. I hope you figure out a solution that allows you to have the window open more, but any air coming in is better than none!
ReplyDeleteOne thing for sure, you can't remove the pull tab or you won't be able to remove the screen if necessary.. Good old ugly Duct Tape around the edges would hold it, but unsightly. And I can just see one cat encouraging the other to turn the crank handle.
ReplyDeleteNow you know why we have attached hook-and-eye hardware on some of our screens...way up high, out of cat reach.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we have really, really, REALLY old wooden windows, with wood-framed screens.
Good luck, but am sure you'll figure this one out in a jiffy.
Are there 2 windows glasses in each window set so that the top could be opened instead?
ReplyDeleteNo, nothing like that.
DeleteI am glad you have discovered how they did it. I am sure you will find a way to put a stop to any future escapes.
ReplyDeleteDa Tabbies and Undine have the right idea !
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I'm sure there was excitement with something new to pull on!
ReplyDeleteAhh, the mystery is solved. Hopefully you'll soon find a solution to prevent another escape.
ReplyDeleteGood you figured it out now to make sure it doesn't happen again
ReplyDelete