Can you leave a dead rat in the wall?

Author: Adolf Shields  |  Last update: Thursday, June 5, 2025

Since the decaying matter has a putrid smell (like rotting meat but much worse), this means that homeowners either have to live with the smell until it passes or, possibly tear into the walls to remove the carcass.

Can you get sick from a dead rat in the wall?

Pathogens: Dead rats can harbor harmful bacteria and parasites, such as leptospirosis, hantavirus, or salmonella. If a person comes into contact with the carcass or its waste, there is a risk of disease transmission.

How long will a dead rat stink in the wall?

On average, a rat takes roughly 2-3 weeks to decompose; however, lower temperatures will increase this time period significantly. Once the body has decomposed, the smell won't instantly leave your home. Instead, the foul smell will still be lingering in your home roughly two weeks later.

Is it okay to leave a dead mouse in the wall?

A dead mouse should not be left to rot inside your wall, because its corpse could soon attract fleas. With an electronic borescope, you can locate the corpse's whereabouts by drilling a coin-sized hole, a few inches off the ground, into the drywall of the cavity that seems to be emitting the smell.

What happens if an animal dies in your walls?

If a dead animal decomposes inside walls, on insulation, drywall, fabric, or porous wood, you will probably need to remove and replace the items to completely remove the smell. Without proper personal protective equipment, an animal carcass poses health risks to homeowners attempting a DIY solution.

How to get rid of dead rat smell?

How long can a rat live in a wall?

The same colony of rats can survive for years inside your walls as long as they have an entry and exit point.

Do dead rats attract other rats?

If you can face it, smear the dead rat around the inside of the trap box, or leave the dead animal nearby. Rats are attracted by other dead rats.

How long can you leave a dead rat in the wall?

With several dead rat carcasses in the wall, your house could be smelling horrid for two or more weeks. Moreover, the odour won't go away entirely until the corpse is mummified or decomposed into the skeleton. It could take anywhere from 3 to 4 months for a rat to fully decompose into a skeleton.

How to get rid of dead rodent in wall?

It is usually difficult to remove them when they are inside a wall. A room deodorizer might help. The only way to get rid of the carcass would have to be by cutting into the wall. This may be difficult, as the odor may permeate through the walls and it is hard to localize the exact point to cut the wall.

How do exterminators get rid of rats in walls?

Pest control professionals typically use a combination of methods to address rats in floorboards and walls, even if they haven't come out. This includes baiting, trapping, and sealing entry points. Bait stations with poison are often placed strategically to attract rats inside the walls or floorboards.

Is breathing in dead rat smell harmful?

If you've ever faced the unmistakable stench of a dead rat in your home, you know how quickly it can become a health hazard. The lingering smell isn't just unpleasant—it can carry harmful bacteria that could impact your well-being.

How long can a mouse live in a wall?

Mice can live without water for months and without food for 1-2 weeks, but with access to both, they can live up to two years. And due to their constant reproduction, they can live in your walls indefinitely if measures aren't taken to remove them.

What to do with a dead rat?

They can be disposed of by double-bagging (carrier or bin bags) and putting in your household rubbish bin. It is advisable to wear gloves and/or use a spade to lift a dead rat into the bag.

How long will a dead rat smell in the wall?

Unfortunately it may take three weeks or more to completely decompose. A professional may be contacted to break through and rebuild affected walls. This can be costly and not a viable option. Even after elimination of the source of dead rodent smell, the unsettling scent may linger for up to two weeks.

How long does it take for a dead rat to get maggots?

The female lays her eggs on or near a decomposing animal, and the eggs hatch within 8-20 hours into larvae, also known as maggots. Maggots are legless and worm-like, with a moist, translucent appearance.

Will rats move on if there is no food?

Rats are also known to adapt to certain environmental conditions. These pesky creatures can survive on little food and water. This means that even if your house does not provide enough food, they will still squeeze through openings to look for food and return to their nests.

How do you clean after finding a dead rat?

Clean up dead rodents or nests
  1. Step 1: Wear rubber or plastic gloves.
  2. Step 2: Spray the dead rodent, nest, and surrounding area with a disinfectant. ...
  3. Step 3: Place the dead rodent or nesting materials in a plastic bag along with any used traps. ...
  4. Step 4: Tie the ends of the bag together in a knot to seal the bag.

How do you know if a rat died in your wall?

The odor of a dead mouse is a mix of sulfur dioxides, methane and other noxious gases that are produced as tissue begins to decompose. Unfortunately, this smell can be produced by any member of the rodent family (mice, rats, etc.) that may have found its way into your walls, attic or crawlspaces and died.

How do you get rats out of walls without killing them?

Set up live traps. Perhaps the best way to remove rodents from your walls is to set up live traps that bait and capture rodents without harming them. This humane method allows you to get rid of and release these unwanted pests far from your property.

What to do if a rat dies in the wall?

This method still requires ventilating the area by drilling into walls or floors, so repair costs would still be involved. If you are able to find and remove the dead rat carcass, seal it in a plastic bag and dispose of it promptly.

Can a dead rat in the wall make you sick?

Dead Rats Carry Diseases. One of the biggest dangers of dead rats is the fact that they can carry diseases. Rat-borne illnesses are a serious health hazard, and they can cause everything from mild discomfort to death.

Should I remove dead rat?

Is it safe to remove dead rats on my own? Handling dead rats can be hazardous to your health due to the risk of disease transmission. It is highly recommended that you hire a professional dead rat removal service like PGH Pest Prevention to ensure safe and effective removal.

Does human urine attract rats?

Cat, dog, or human hair or urine sprinkled in a garden also appears to have no impact on rats. Beware of anyone claiming they have a secret weapon or chemical that will get rid of rats.

Will a rat eat another rat if it's dead?

Denied food, rats will turn to killing and eating each other, further reducing the infestation. Rats cannot live without food, water, or shelter.

How to get rid of dead rat smell when you can't find it?

How to Remove Dead Mouse Smell from Your House
  1. Air fresheners and neutralizers: Air freshening sprays, candles, or essential oils can mask the smell temporarily. ...
  2. Charcoal deodorizer bags: Charcoal traps odors instead of covering them.
  3. Dry coffee grounds: Coffee both covers and removes scents.

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