Bugs Triggering household smoke detector

[Lionelgee]

G'day All,

Is there any type of household smoke detector that is not triggered by bugs, spiders, or moths? Residual insect barrier spray does not keep the little buggers out either.

I live in sunny Queensland in an old classic Queenslander house which does not have insect screens fitted. While I have smoke detectors fitted in the recommended places, as per the Queensland Fire Service, I have problems with bugs/mites/spiders/moths making a home in or visiting the smoke detectors - cheap ones and expensive smoke detectors. Even the "new" type of sensor.

Still the various forms of insect and lepidoptera and arachnids seem to like making the smoke detectors go off at the most inappropriate times - during the most deep of sleep patterns.

I have thought of getting something like a wire mesh colander and mounting this over a ply disk holding the smoke detector to the ceiling. Would this mesh interfere with the smoke detector being able to detect smoke? Yes there will still be bugs that are smaller than the mesh getting in however it may keep the bulk of the smoke detector visitors away.

Yes I have tried residual insect surface spray and it does not work.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Hall]

I have thought of getting something like a wire mesh colander and mounting this over a ply disk holding the smoke detector to the ceiling.
Can`t see a problem. Fumes/ smoke will still have access to the detector. Pity you can`t do something along the lines of a bug zapper with the mesh.
We have one that is a tad too sensitive. It is fitted in the hallway next to the kitchen. Burn the toast slightly and it goes off.
Cheers Hall

[digger]

there are types of detectors fitted with mesh insect screens ...

I know in our latest multi storey fire panel/control training (yep biggest building in our are 2 story but we had to do the training!) they showed us about 10 detectors, I would think about 6 or 7 had fine mesh screens fitted internally about the chamber area, these do require a clean every few months to stay effective as a smoke detector.

few Ive found here... not necessarily australian but most likely avail here....

http://www.gentex.com/category/fire-protection-product-category/photoelectric-smoke-alarms-and-smoke-detectors

http://www.us.sbt.siemens.com/faraday/pdfs/9634.pdf

look for "insect screen, insect mesh or insect protected" in descriptions..

but if you contact your local or state HQ MFS station they should have someone who can help - a public officer etc who should be able to help.


Cheers

[UncleHo]

G'day Lionelgee

We have similar problems,being in a just post war hardwood weatherboard house,we also have small insects and Arachnids getting in them,we use the cheap IGA brand fly spray it used to be called "Fatal" but has now called "Signature" in a red can it seems to work quite well.


cheers

[V8Ian]

Rather than using a mesh, try a nylon stocking.

[UncleHo]

You wear stockings ???

[V8Ian]

Not personally, but the procurement can be fun. :p

[UncleHo]

Very much,that is until "she" finds out !!!

[Chucaro]

We never used to have problems in our 110 years old house in Childers but then again we used to have an army of geckos in the place :)

[Lionelgee]

We never used to have problems in our 110 years old house in Childers but then again we used to have an army of geckos in the place :)

G'day Chucaro,

We have plenty of green tree frogs and lots of geckos here in the house - they can only do so much! :) They are another reason why I do not like to use the residual surface spray because the tree frogs and geckos absorb it as they cross over it.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Chucaro]

G'day Chucaro,

We have plenty of green tree frogs and lots of geckos here in the house - they can only do so much! :) They are another reason why I do not like to use the residual surface spray because the tree frogs and geckos absorb it as they cross over it.

Kind Regards
Lionel

I agree with you regarding protecting the frogs and geckos.
In our house in Moore Park Beach we protected the smoke alarms by using white round plastic strainers.
You get the ones big enough to cover the alarm, cut the handle and then tack /glue them to the sealing using silicone which it is easy to remove when replacing the batteries is necessary.
It will look neat and will do the job.