This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no extra cost to you. As an amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more from the privacy policy page
Can a Moth Set Off a Car Alarm – Car alarms have been a thing of the past for some time now. Modern cars are equipped with anti-theft systems, and our old clunky alarms just sit on top of the dashboard collecting dust. But sometimes a moth can still set off an alarm! It’s not as common as it used to be, but there are some things you need to know about this rare event.
In general, if your car is parked outside at night without lights on or any other external light source nearby, moths may fly near sensors and cause them to go off.
The problem is that many people don’t know how their cars work or what they should do when that happens – which might lead them to call 911 after seeing their car suddenly start going.
Here we provide answers to your question and other possible reasons why your car alarm can get set off.
Can a Moth Set Off a Car Alarm?
Chris, a Texas nurse had cursed his neighbours for his car alarm blaring all through the night. Well, he finally got the shock of his life after getting down to his new car to track down the potential intruder. It was a moth!
The car was positioned untouched and empty. But it wasn’t totally empty, a moth winged around inside the car, and was actually responsible for setting off the alarm. But can a moth really set off a car alarm?
A 2017 study carried out on 3412 burglar alarm owners revealed that 74% of this figure had experienced a false alarm, and in fact, 24% of them have had it repeatedly within the previous year! False alarms that were often caused by insects!
Another popular cause is when the alarm is mistakenly turned on with the sensors triggered by a pet. But there are many other common causes of false car alarms you should know.
4 Common Reasons Why Your Car Alarms Keep Getting Triggered.
We have established that insects such as moths can set off a car alarm. But there are other common causes to be aware of.
1. Low Battery Level
Many car owners do not know that one of the main functions of car alarms is to signal a warning that the car battery level is low. And when you turn on the vehicle engine when the battery is dying, you’d instantly set off your car alarm. So, getting your voltmeter out to check its running voltage is one of the things you want to consider when your car blares upon starting the engine. Check the reading, and if it falls below 12.6V – or as specified by the owner’s manual – then you should jolt the battery or replace it totally.
2. Over-sensitive (Or Weak) Sensor Connection
There are certain automobiles that are known to have highly sensitive sensors that are produced from the factory. But regardless of your car sensors’ number or sensitivity, your car will wail if any of its sensors gets triggered. Check if the electrical connection across the sensors remains solid, and if you are not sure of what to do, then visit a local auto shop for professional help.
3. Poorly Installed Alarm System
If you have had sleepless nights as a result of your alarms going off, your car alarm may have been poorly installed. Since many car owners prefer to opt for an alarm solution outside the factory-installed option, one thing you may not be able to determine is if the alarm was properly installed.
If you handled the installation on your own, ensure to check the instructions given on the manual over and over again to be clear that you aren’t doing something wrong, or perhaps you’d have to involve a professional mechanic to help.
4. Bad Wiring
Sometimes, a part of your electrical wiring may be bad or disconnected. You can determine this by checking for accompanying symptoms like headlight flashing with the car wails or your horns blaring while the car alarm goes nonstop.
List Of 5 Ways You Can Reduce False Car Alarms
Whether you are having a night-out with moths or pets, or an over-sensitive sensor connection, you can reduce the possibility of false alarms through this measure.
Service your car Alarm Often: It is often advised that you do this once every year to be sure everything is in good condition.
Consider pet-friendly sensors if you have pets. You do not want to be having constant breaks during night sleep
And also do not want that embarrassing wailing at the parking lot. Adjust the sensitivity of your alarm detectors to make them pet-friendly or check with an alarm company for the most suitable option.
Ensure that sensors are securely installed. Make sure that they are not positioned in areas where they would be easily nudged out.
Periodically clean your motion sensors. Over time, you’re likely to have dust and dirt build-up on detectors and possibly set off a car alarm. Take time to clean the sensors occasionally.
You’d also be able to keep off spiders, moths, and other insects that could potentially trigger false alarms from hanging around the sensors.
Replace the battery in your sensors once they get weak. If the batteries are low and you refuse to replace them in time, then the alarm may go off. The PIRs and main unit need the battery to stay active to work properly.
Conclusion
So, if you’re unlucky enough to have a moth set off your car alarm, don’t freak out. There are some things that can be done to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again in the future.
Check with your local mechanic or dealership for advice on how to get rid of those pesky moths before they take over!
But if you do find yourself with an active car alarm suddenly going off for no apparent reason, there is nothing wrong with taking some precautions before getting out of your vehicle and confronting whoever has triggered it!
For someone who wants to get an affordable car alarm system that works, you won’t get it wrong with this best car alarm system religious.