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Dead animal smell: what to do right now

A dead animal smell is awful, but it is not usually a health emergency. Your first step is to find the strongest spot, because removing the carcass is the only real fix. Air fresheners only cover it up.

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Do this now

  1. 1Open windows and run fans to air out the area.
  2. 2Walk room to room and sniff along walls, floors and ceilings to find the strongest spot.
  3. 3Look for flies gathering, small stains on drywall or ceilings, or insects near one spot.
  4. 4Check accessible areas first: the attic, crawl space, basement, behind appliances and in vents.
  5. 5If you find it, wear gloves and a mask, bag it with a plastic bag over your hand, and seal it.
  6. 6Clean and disinfect the spot, and wash your hands well afterward.

Don't

  • Don't touch the animal or droppings with bare hands.
  • Don't use poison baits in walls or attics. That is often what causes this problem.
  • Don't sweep or vacuum dry rodent droppings, which can raise dust.

Get help immediately if

  • The smell is like rotten eggs or sulfur near a gas appliance: leave the house and call your gas utility or 911, since it may be a gas leak.
  • The smell is coming from a heating duct or vent and spreading through the house: get same-day professional help.

Why the smell happens and how long it lasts

Mice, rats, squirrels and sometimes larger animals can die inside walls, ceilings, attics and crawl spaces. This often happens after poison bait is used, because the animal goes back to its hiding place before it dies. As the body breaks down, the odor can be strong for days, and it may last one to several weeks until the carcass dries out.

Temperature and humidity affect how long it lasts. A mouse in a cool wall may fade within a week or two, while a larger animal in a warm attic can take much longer. Flies and other insects may also appear near the spot. Waiting it out is an option for a small animal you cannot reach, but removal is faster.

How a pro finds and removes it

A licensed wildlife control pro will use smell, stains, flies and knowledge of how animals move through a house to narrow down the location. Sometimes the animal can be reached from the attic or crawl space. Other times a small, neat hole in the drywall is the only way, and that hole will need patching afterward.

Once the carcass is out, the area is cleaned and treated to reduce lingering odor. The pro should also find out how the animal got in, because the next one will use the same route. If the dead animal was a mouse or rat, see our mice page for steps to keep more from moving in.

What it costs

$200 to $600locate and remove

Price depends on how hard the animal is to find, whether drywall must be opened, and odor treatment. After-hours or same-day emergency visits often cost more. These are typical ranges, not quotes.

Typical ranges, not quotes. More on wildlife and the Michigan cost guide.

Common questions

How long does a dead animal smell last in a wall?

Usually one to several weeks, depending on the size of the animal and the temperature. A mouse may fade within a week or two. A larger animal like a squirrel or raccoon can last longer. Removing it ends the smell much faster than waiting.

Is a dead animal smell dangerous?

The odor itself is mostly unpleasant rather than dangerous, but the carcass can attract flies and other pests, and droppings nearby can carry germs. Keep people and pets away from the spot, and never handle the animal without gloves.

Do I have to cut open the wall?

Not always. A pro will first try to reach it from the attic, crawl space, basement or a vent. If it is sealed inside a wall cavity, a small access hole is often the fastest fix, and it can be patched once the animal is removed.

Other emergencies

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