Ants in the smoke detector

Easy Mac · 05-19-2013, 03:21 PM

We have a smoke detector in the living room. It has now gone off four times randomly today. After the second time, I changed the battery in all the smoke alarms, since I couldn't determine which one was beeping.

When I took off the detector to change the battery, I noticed 5 or 6 ants crawling around. I've since sprayed up there, but it hasn't helped. I think the ants are shocking themselves and setting off the alarm every few hours.

Anyone experienced this before it have any recommendations? I'd say I've seen maybe 20 ants in the past 5-6 hours, but I can't see any poor of Orion in the detector.

JonInMiddleGA · 05-19-2013, 03:27 PM

Is it photo-electric by chance? A little Googling turns up quite a few articles/forum posts talking about ants frequently setting them off.

Easy Mac · 05-19-2013, 03:49 PM

It appears to be an ionizing one.

I know I can probably see more if I were willing to take the entire unit out of the ceiling as oppose to just unscrewing the main part, but I think a gaping hole in the ceiling is not my wife's idea of a good time.

JonInMiddleGA · 05-19-2013, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

I think a gaping hole in the ceiling is not my wife's idea of a good time.

Heh, understandable.

nol · 05-19-2013, 05:47 PM

Maybe they were... *pulls sunglasses down* ... fire ants.

/leaves thread

Easy Mac · 05-19-2013, 05:56 PM

Well played. They were black though.

Hasn't chirped in about 90 minutes, after all five alarms in the house went apeshit for 15 minutes. Haven't seen any ants of late. My ears are still ringing. Sent my wife, daughter and dog to my inlaws for the night in case these things freak out again. Will likely call an electrician in the morning if they start going off later.

Also, I hate the vaulted ceilings in my master bedroom. Nothing better than climbing up a ladder leaning against a wall trying not to fall while changing a battery in a smoke alarm that's ringing at Defcon 5.

PilotMan · 05-19-2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nol

Maybe they were... *pulls sunglasses down* ... fire ants.

/leaves thread

britrock88 · 05-20-2013, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nol

Maybe they were... *pulls sunglasses down* ... fire ants.

/leaves thread

CU Tiger · 05-20-2013, 06:18 AM

Ants should not be able to set off an ionization smoke detector.
Ant spray ( or hair spray for that matter) would.

If these are the hard wired home detectors you should be able to breaker them off, though you will likely get some other stuff you don't want off with them.

There *should* be a light indicator which shows which detector triggered the alarm and which ones are relaying. Assuming it was all installed correctly.

fantom1979 · 05-20-2013, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Nothing better than climbing up a ladder leaning against a wall trying not to fall while changing a battery in a smoke alarm that's ringing at Defcon 5.

Not to stray completely off topic, but Defcon 5 is all clear. Defcon 1 is all hell is breaking loose.

DEFCON - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Easy Mac · 05-20-2013, 05:20 PM

I knew I was screwing that up.

All quiet through the night. So I'm hopeful it was a temporary glitch. No odd flashing patterns in the detectors LED. Of course, who knows what hell broke loose at work.

fantom1979 · 05-20-2013, 11:23 PM

Hopefully the issue is resolved. Nothing is worse than that ear-piercing sound going off and trying to find a ladder to shut the thing off.

sterlingice · 01-17-2014, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nol

Maybe they were... *pulls sunglasses down* ... fire ants.

/leaves thread

I missed this thread the first time around, but it still deserves a

SI

cartman · 01-17-2014, 10:05 AM

Did tcyjunkie change his screen name?

Suburban Rhythm · 01-17-2014, 10:40 AM

Ants in the smoke detector should be the sequel to Snake on a Plane

Chief Rum · 01-17-2014, 11:04 AM

I'm stunned no one told Easy Mac to "smoke 'em out".

Julio Riddols · 01-17-2014, 11:24 AM

Perhaps I should take e-cigarette too.

TCY Junkie · 01-17-2014, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cartman

Did tcyjunkie change his screen name?

I would but then someone else would grab it.

05-19-2013, 03:27 PM	#2
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Is it photo-electric by chance? A little Googling turns up quite a few articles/forum posts talking about ants frequently setting them off. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

01-17-2014, 10:05 AM	#14
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	Did tcyjunkie change his screen name? __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

01-17-2014, 10:40 AM	#15
Suburban Rhythm Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pittsburgh	Ants in the smoke detector should be the sequel to Snake on a Plane __________________ "Do you guys play fast tempos with odd time signatures?" "Yeah" "Cool!!"

01-17-2014, 11:04 AM	#16
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	I'm stunned no one told Easy Mac to "smoke 'em out". __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.

01-17-2014, 11:24 AM	#17
Julio Riddols College Prospect Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Bryson Shitty, NC	Perhaps I should take e-cigarette too. __________________ Recklessly enthused, stubbornly amused. FUCK EA

05-19-2013, 03:49 PM	#3
Easy Mac Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Here	It appears to be an ionizing one. I know I can probably see more if I were willing to take the entire unit out of the ceiling as oppose to just unscrewing the main part, but I think a gaping hole in the ceiling is not my wife's idea of a good time.

05-19-2013, 05:47 PM	#5
nol Banned Join Date: Oct 2003	Maybe they were... pulls sunglasses down ... fire ants. /leaves thread

05-19-2013, 05:56 PM	#6
Easy Mac Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Here	Well played. They were black though. Hasn't chirped in about 90 minutes, after all five alarms in the house went apeshit for 15 minutes. Haven't seen any ants of late. My ears are still ringing. Sent my wife, daughter and dog to my inlaws for the night in case these things freak out again. Will likely call an electrician in the morning if they start going off later. Also, I hate the vaulted ceilings in my master bedroom. Nothing better than climbing up a ladder leaning against a wall trying not to fall while changing a battery in a smoke alarm that's ringing at Defcon 5.

05-20-2013, 06:18 AM	#9
CU Tiger Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Backwoods, SC	Ants should not be able to set off an ionization smoke detector. Ant spray ( or hair spray for that matter) would. If these are the hard wired home detectors you should be able to breaker them off, though you will likely get some other stuff you don't want off with them. There should be a light indicator which shows which detector triggered the alarm and which ones are relaying. Assuming it was all installed correctly.

05-20-2013, 05:20 PM	#11
Easy Mac Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Here	I knew I was screwing that up. All quiet through the night. So I'm hopeful it was a temporary glitch. No odd flashing patterns in the detectors LED. Of course, who knows what hell broke loose at work.

05-20-2013, 11:23 PM	#12
fantom1979 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sterling Heights, Mi	Hopefully the issue is resolved. Nothing is worse than that ear-piercing sound going off and trying to find a ladder to shut the thing off.

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