Use a screwdriver to remove the cover of the suspected air duct. Use a flashlight to look inside the duct and see if you can find the dead animal. If the distance to the dead animal is beyond a turn in the air duct, you will need a tool such as a telescoping inspection camera to find it.
Just open up the closest barrier or vent cover, reach your gloved hand in, grab the carcass, and then place it in your bag. The gloves that you wear should be disposable. You will need to put these in the bag too, along with the dead animal. Seal everything up and then put it in the dumpster or waste bin outside.
It may take days or weeks for the carcass to dry out and the odor to naturally and completely disappear.
You may have to "follow your nose," and keep sniffing around until you find the area where the odor is strongest. Also, look for stains. Sometimes a carcass leaks fluid as it dries out. Death attracts insects.
The smell of a dead rat can be harmful to a person's health due to the toxic gases and microscopic compounds of the dead animal that are constantly being released into the indoor air. Since most homes are not consistently ventilated, the gases permeate into the respiratory tract and can potentially cause illness.
One of several culprits could be mold in your drip pan.
If the part of the drip pan where the condensation runs is not draining correctly, then unblocking the clog will help; or if the condensate drain line is the problem, then replacing the line should eliminate further problems as well as the smell.
You'll have to turn off your HVAC system and remove all the vent covers. You'll need to load a trap for each vent. Most do-it-yourself-ers use snap traps baited with peanut butter, meat, or cheese. Place the trap just inside the vent and wait.
Animals like squirrels, raccoons, and rodents can find their way into your house and into the ductwork. They can even make a new home in the ducts, which becomes a serious problem for your home. If you think you hear scratching coming from your ductwork, it's incredibly important to call professionals right away.
Bleach is excellent for eliminating foul-smelling bacteria, therefore both disinfecting any remnants of a dead rat in addition to removing the undesired smell. Your bleach mixture should consist of 10 parts water to one part bleach. Then, once you have that mixture, all you have to do is wipe down the area with it.
Follow the smell
Now comes the hard part. You see, the only way you can quickly pinpoint the spot is to get underneath your crawl space and follow the smell. Wherever the smell is most concentrated is most likely where the carcass is.
Try to narrow it down to the smallest area possible. If you can't physically see the rat within this area, then the rat may be in your walls, under your floor or hidden in a hard to reach place.
Turn off the Vent and Clean It
Thoroughly scrape the urine stains off the surfaces. After the system dries completely, spray hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the remaining microbes and kill the bacteria. Vinegar can help neutralize and mask the ammonia-like urine odor, and stop the pet from urinating again.
Turn your HVAC system on and return to the areas where ductwork is accessible. Check the connections between each section of duct, placing your hand over the metal. If you feel air against your hand, the connection is loose and there is an air leak.
Ventilate the Space: Open windows and use fans to increase airflow and help dissipate the odor. Air purifiers with activated carbon filters can also help remove airborne particles and odors.
Here's How to Handle a Dead Animal in Your Vent
You should explain the situation when you call for service; some HVAC service providers may refer you to an animal control provider instead, but many HVAC technicians will be able to remove the dead mouse or rodent properly.
Clear The Dead Rodent Out Of The HVAC Duct
Just open the vent up, use your gloved hand to reach in and grab it, and then place the body inside of your durable plastic bag. You should be wearing gloves that are disposable. These can go into the plastic sack with the animal.
Not only can a deceased animal in your ventilation system affect your quality of life, it can also pose serious health risks to you and your family.
To prevent the spread of diseases and parasites, residents should contact Critter Control wildlife removal experts, who are trained to safely dispose of dead animals. Removing animal carcasses will also remove the dangers and possible pest infestations which accompany them.
You can set live traps near the vents in order to let the animal leave the ductwork and be captured humanely and removed alive from your home.
Vinegar is a great and cheap option for cleaning the home that is safe but also effective at neutralizing strong odors.
Use Caution Around Dead Animals
Coming into contact with dead animals can be dangerous because they can have germs that make people sick.
How long will the smell last? Answer: The odor will last about 10 days or perhaps a bit longer. There is no certain way that the dead mouse can be found, and there are no chemicals that will take the odor away.