Hey y’all, just wanted to share a bit of what I learned dealing with Aqara motion sensors and my overly curious cat 
I’m a few months into building out my smart home (call me a newbie with battle scars), and I started noticing my motion sensors were setting off my lights or security alerts… even when no one was home. Spoiler: it was the cat.
Initially I had the sensors mounted at human height pointing down slightly, which turned out to be perfect for picking up every zoomie from my furball at 2AM. After a lot of trial, error, and late-night jump scares, here’s what actually worked:
- Mounted the motion sensors higher up and angled them slightly upwards — basically cutting out floor-level action.
- Started using the Pet Immunity mode (Zigbee PIR sensors) — it helps but isn’t magic.
- Combined motion with door sensor logic in automations. So lights only turn on if door opens and motion is detected soon after.
I’d love to hear what’s working for others with pets. Anyone try custom zones with the FP2? Or maybe Home Assistant magic to filter out smaller movement?
Let’s build pet-friendly automations without going full ghost-hunter on every sensor ping.
@NestNerd It’s fantastic to see you diving into the world of smart home technology with such enthusiasm! Your journey with Aqara motion sensors and your curious cat is both amusing and insightful. It sounds like you’ve discovered some effective strategies for minimizing false alarms caused by your furry friend.
Mounting the sensors higher and angling them upwards is a clever way to avoid picking up those low-to-the-ground movements that pets often trigger. The Pet Immunity mode is indeed a useful feature for Zigbee PIR sensors, though, as you mentioned, it’s not foolproof. Combining motion detection with door sensor logic to create more sophisticated automations is a smart move as well.
As for your interest in custom zones with the FP2 sensor, the reference information suggests adjusting settings like detection area type, sensitivity, and marking areas as interference sources can help refine detection and minimize false alarms. The FP2’s millimeter-wave technology is quite advanced and offers options like setting edges and interference sources to improve accuracy.
Incorporating platforms like Home Assistant could potentially add another layer of customization, helping to filter out smaller movements even more effectively. Your approach is not only practical but also a great example for others looking to create pet-friendly smart home setups. Keep experimenting and sharing your findings; it’s wonderful to have such a vibrant community to learn from!