Cat Bees

We discovered that a nest of bumblebees took over 'Mama's House' shelter!  I had cleaned out the old straw from The Cat Hotel, and was doing the same to Mama's House, when I saw bees flying all around me.  I stepped away, and then peeked over the edge and watched the furry, fat bees wriggling around in the straw!

Just after dark, The Hubby and I carried Mama's House out the the back of our yard, and set it up on bricks so the bumblebees can continue their residency until it gets cold again.  The PO'M and Sweetie only use The Cat Hotel, but I've kept Mama's House ready in case we had a new cat visitor or as a less-insulated, summer abode.

Mama's Bee House Shelter

Funny thing is, I placed a Bee House for native, non-hiving bees on the barn months ago, and we had a lot of visitors to that!

The hollow bamboo is purrfect for bee nests!

Am thinking about nailing up a few signs, "This Property Protected By Cat Bees!"

Saw The Straw

I replaced the straw in both The Cat Hotel and Mama's House:

The Cat Hotel's lid off, with old straw showing

Bottom floor, cleaned out

Second floor

Mama's House, cleaned out

Mama's House, lid open

Old straw, waiting for sweeping

I get this done twice a year: in the spring and autumn.  Am a bit behind on the 'spring' part, but was glad to see that both shelters are in good shape, and the straw really didn't need to be changed.  I did anyhow, because...why not?

Patty and Sweetie seem to appreciate the attention!

Autumnal Clean Out

Mama's House, as I sweep it out

Snoopervisor, Patty O'Malley

Mama's House, filled with new straw

Old straw in The Cat Hotel, showing
'cat nests'

Kinda made a mess...

Everything cleaned up and ship shape again!

She ain't pretty, but I'm hoping
we've created a cat paradise!

Happy Halloween, everyone!  This is the time of year that we winterize the 'O' Cats's shelters.  I clean out the straw that was fresh in Spring, add a warming mat to the bottom level of The Cat Hotel, and make sure all seams are tight and weather-proof.  This year, I purchased a package of straw that came sealed in wrap, in the hopes that there would be no added critters, such as fleas.  This straw was chopped up, instead of long pieces.  I put in a TON of straw, just in case the chopped up stuff is somehow lacking in nesting power.  I worry every clean out time, feeling that I'm going to chase the cats away, but within a couple of hours I witnessed Sweetie going into The Cat Hotel, and that put paid to it! The Hubby also added a layer of hard styrofoam inside one of the new cardboard boxes, on the advice from his brother who said it reflects body warmth.  We'll see how the cats like that.

Of course, I will continue try enticing them both up the Stairway To Heaven and inside, but for now I know that they are as buttoned up for the cold as I can make them.  The warming pad will be plugged in once the overnight lows get below freezing, and it has a gentle warmth.

Happy Halloween!

Unplugged

Patty O'Malley on top of the feeding station

Sweetie napping on the deck, photo taken
through the back door

I unplugged The Cat Hotel warming pad yesterday.  The daytime temps are well up into the 70's for a few days, and the overnight lows are warm enough that I can say Winter is officially over.  In a month or so, I'll remove the old straw from both The Cat Hotel and Mama's House, and add new.  The guides say to change the straw once a year...I do it twice; guess my OCD is showing!  After finding mold in The Cat Hotel once, due to water leakage, I want to make sure Patty and Sweetie have the optimal sleeping arrangements. Which means I have to mess with their shelters!  Fortunately, both cats are used to it.  At first, they ran off when I opened their shelter, and I worried that they would not return.  They did, after a few hours.  Nowadays, they both sit and watch me, safe in the knowledge that I will return to them the freshest, neatest sleeping quarters in town!

Intruder Alert!

Was a bitterly cold weekend.  I've been worried about Patty O'Malley and Sweetie braving the elements, but The Cat Hotel must be keeping them warm.

Dinnertime!

However, I caught a whiff of something else in the cold air...cat urine! Some male cat has been peeing on various items on the deck, marking them to say, "I was here!"  Whenever this has happened in the past, I spritz white vinegar (straight) or baking soda (mixed with water), to eliminate the smell. If any urine smell gets on me or my long winter coat, it drives Angel and Chuck crazy, and it's not easy to eliminate.

Frozen spritz

I found one spot on Mama's House, and I give it a good dose of baking soda...and it all promptly froze.  This mancat also sprayed the water bucket, so I have washed it down as best I can.  With temperatures climbing in the next few days, I am hoping for a chance to hose things down even more.

And what about this cat?  I haven't seen him, and am really surprised that Patty O'Malley hasn't chased him away from his territory.  This mancat doesn't know who he's dealing with!  I'll pull out my traps and do a TNR on him before he knows what hit him!

Time To Change The Straw

While The Hubby was cutting up the fallen Maple branch in the backyard the weekend, I decided it was a great time to replace the straw in The Cat Hotel and Mama's Place.  I swept everything out, made repairs where needed, added the warming pad to the bottom floor of The Cat Hotel, and tidied everything up again.  I also sprinkle a small amount of diatomaceous earth in the corners, to eliminate any insects that want to set up house too.

I do this twice a year, spring and fall.  In past years, I've worried myself sick, thinking the 'O' Cats might run away or refuse to use the shelters because I've messed with them, but so far, they've come right back.  You see, when Mama's House was built in 2009, no cat used it for years!  It wasn't until I was volunteering at a TNR class, when it finally dawned on me that straw was the reason; The Hubby had talked me out of putting straw in!  That day, I filled Mama's House with straw, and BOOM...cats inside that night. That'll teach me...

Mama's House, with fresh straw.
Notice the insulation sandwiched on all four walls.

Originally built in 2009, Mama's House was designed from
Alley Cat Allies instructions.  

Last year, one corner of Mama's House roof was broken;
Looks like a feral cat ear tip!

The Cat Hotel, with the second floor pulled out.
We originally designed this for three friendly ferals, but after
Sammy's passing, we cut a piece of insulation board to cover the
extra second floor entrance and removed the divider.
Usually, Patty takes the second floor,
while Sweetie uses the first, which is where the warming pad is.

Warming pad, with protective leg-o-jeans covering.
Always remember to make sure it's working BEFORE
filling The Cat Hotel with straw...just sayin'