To ask neighbours to help track down a beep?

[Notthemessiah]

For the last three days I've been able to hear a beep that happens every 43 seconds (yes I timed it) that seems to be coming from one of the three neighbouring gardens/sheds/garage but I can't get any closer to be able to tell exactly without asking the neighbours for help.

It's not terribly loud - if I close the window I can't hear it - and a lot of people probably wouldn't even notice. It sounds like the same noise my fire alarm makes when it's battery is low, like a little chirp. Thing is though, I find it hard to fall asleep at the best of times and this is just making it harder - stupidly I can't help but lie there and anticipate the next beep.

My wife thinks that if I shouldn't bother the neighbours and that they'll think I'm some kind of fussy idiot if I do for something that she (and almost certainly they) can barely hear and probably haven't even noticed.

Is she right? Would you think that is one of your neighbours came round asking the same? Should I just hope i can get used to it or it goes away?

I’d help you if you asked me. Especially if you worded it nicely and not moaning.

I’d have to ask. Random beeping would drive me mad. If it’s a low battery then they should be pleased.

Definitely ask!

Urrugh. Yes you should definitely ask them about it. There was a mole scarer in the garden of an air b&b we stayed in that did just this - drove me potty.

Could be a carbon monoxide detector too. I had stupidly put an old one in a storage tub in the spare room and nearly went crazy trying to find what was making a beeping noise months later

I would need to know do you get on with the neighbours?

I certainly wouldn't be moaning, but I'm slightly concerned that it could be misconstrued that way somehow. There's also the thought it could be awkward if it's actually something that is supposed to beep, though I can't imagine what that would be.

Does your street have a FB group?

We get on well enough for neighbours - know their names and send Christmas cards but that's about it. Not well enough though for them not to think I could potentially be some kind of pedantic idiot though!

If I was your neighbour I would want to help,as people have said it could be a low battery on a carbon monoxide monitor,fire alarm etc,maybe the neighbour can't hear it. I would be grateful if it was bought to my attention it could potentially save lives.
On another note I have an electric roller garage door and if something falls in the garage it can set off a beeping alarm,this was bought to my attention by a neighbour who had been trying to work out where the sound was coming from.
I hope you find the source of the beep!

No FB group (that I'm aware of anyway)

I wouldn't mind helping you find the beep and I'm sure most reasonable people wouldn't either.

I'd help.

That's just the kind of stuff that pees me off, and I love a mission.

I'd help. It would drive me mad too, and I do love solving a mystery.

It could be midwife toads. We have these and for a couple if years we thought there was some electrical beeping going on until a neighbour told us they are common round here. Unfortunately there is no shutting them up! We've just got used to them.

A mole deterrent or similar?

Please let us know what it was!

Every 43 seconds suggests an automated object rather than nature. I love a mystery so yeah I'd join in the hunt if you worded it as a mystery beep hunt!

Because of it happening so regularly I’d guess it was a smoke alarm which needs a new battery, this happened to us when the house next door was empty for a while.
@Bobismyfriend, are you in the uk?
Ive not heard of midwife toads, I’m off to google them now 😃

Any of them got a hottub in garden my neighbours started doing.

I heard a noise like this a while ago - the noise sounded like my smoke alarm when the battery needs changing. I think it was from next door’s caravan. I was going to knock and ask but didn’t dare! It stopped after about 2 or 3 days so whatever it was they must have found it themselves.

Has a neighbour of yours got a caravan or motor home - possibly in a garage?

Exact same problem here! Are we neighbours OP? Whereabouts are you? I’d really like to get to the bottom of this as well, and even if we aren’t neighbours, will be following closely to see if you ever find out.

Oh gosh yes I would have to ask.

@samtsirch yes I am in uk. All I would say is they beep very regularly like they are on a timer so I wouldn't rule it out

I would definitely Help if it was presented as a mystery rather than a complaint😊

@Bobismyfriend
Yes I have just looked them up, they are lovely 😊
We have bog standard toads in our garden but now I want some midwife ones 😁