How long does a dead rat smell bad?

Author: Agustina Grimes  |  Last update: Friday, September 5, 2025

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.

Will a dead rat's smell eventually go away?

Even after elimination of the source of dead rodent smell, the unsettling scent may linger for up to two weeks. Natural ventilation is necessary to expedite the dissipation of the odor. Opening windows and using electric fans may prove helpful.

Can you get sick from breathing in dead animal smell?

The smells coming from a dead animal are unpleasant, and they can often make you feel like you are going to be sick. However, simply smelling a dead animal is not likely to affect your health.

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.

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 to get rid of dead rat smell?

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.

What happens if you leave a dead rat?

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.

How to get rid of dead rat smell in wall?

If the smell is coming from your walls, try stuffing deodorizers or cotton balls covered in deodorizer into holes in the wall or under cracks between the baseboard and floor. Deodorizing options include: Air fresheners and neutralizers: Air freshening sprays, candles, or essential oils can mask the smell temporarily.

What does a rat infestation smell like?

This smell is often described as musky and ammonia-like, similar to the odor of urine, because rats tend to urinate frequently to mark their territory. The intensity of the smell can vary depending on the size of the rat population and how long they've been present.

How to deal with a dead rat?

Disposing of dead rats is important for the health and safety of people, their pets, and wildlife. To properly dispose of a dead rat: Put on protective gloves. Place the rat in 2 plastic bags and throw away in the regular trash.

How do you neutralize the smell of a dead animal?

Vinegar is a great and cheap option for cleaning the home that is safe but also effective at neutralizing strong odors.

What are the stages of a dead rat?

Stages of Dead Rat Decomposition
  • Fresh: This stage occurs within the first 12-36 hours after death. ...
  • Bloating: This stage occurs within the first 24-48 hours after death. ...
  • Active Decay: This stage occurs within the first 3-5 days after death. ...
  • Advanced Decay: This stage occurs within the first 1-2 weeks after death.

What to do if you can smell a dead mouse but can't find it?

If there's no evidence to point you in the direction of an impromptu mouse graveyard, follow your nose to the most concentrated area of the stench. If there's still no sign of the corpse, it could possibly be in an air duct, a wall cavity, the attic, the crawlspace or in the sealed underside of a kitchen counter.

What absorbs dead rat smell?

Charcoal briquettes are a surprising yet effective method to remove the dead animal smell. Try placing several briquettes in a bowl and place them where the smell is the strongest. You may need to do this for several days to eliminate the smell thoroughly.

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.

How to clean a dog's mouth after killing a rat?

You can clean it directly by wrapping a cloth around your finger and gently wiping it out with salt water, baking soda or even coconut oil. Be careful not to gag your dog. Alternatively, you can add mouthwash to your dog's water or increase his natural saliva production with a dental chew.

How long does the smell of a dead rat last?

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.

Does 1 rat mean more?

Even a single rat is enough to make most people shudder, but the truth is that if you have rats, you are unlikely to only have one. Rats are clever creatures that can squeeze into the tiniest of gaps, and once they have made themselves at home, they will breed.

What smell runs rats off?

Peppermint oil — Essential plant oils like peppermint, rosemary, citronella, sage and lavender have strong botanical scents that rats dislike. One customer successfully repelled a rat by stuffing a peppermint oil soaked tissue into the rat hole chewed into the wall. The rat appeared to never come back.

What is the best odor eliminator for dead rats?

Bleach is excellent for eliminating foul-smelling bacteria, therefore both disinfecting any remnants of a dead rat in addition to removing the undesired smell.

How to find a dead rat in the wall?

How to Find A Dead Animal in the Attic or Walls
  1. Go to the room with the strongest smell. ...
  2. Once you have found the particular room, start sniffing the walls. ...
  3. If you notice the smell get stronger in a certain area, it is likely in that area.
  4. Cut a hole in the drywall to find the dead animal's carcass.

How long does rat urine smell last?

The smell of rat urine can last for several days or weeks depending on the humidity levels in your home and how much time has passed since the rat urinated on your floor or wall. The longer it sits, the stronger it will smell, so it is important to clean up any rat urine as soon as possible.

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 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.

What should I do if I find a dead rat?

Handling a dead rat can expose you to harmful pathogens. To protect your health, contacting a professional dead rodent removal service is strongly recommended.

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