Even after elimination of the source of dead rodent smell, the unsettling scent may linger for up to two weeks.
it'll go away on its own after a while, but until then you should probably just light some candles and wait it out. assuming the dead animal is somewhere you definitely can't get to, anyway. an ozone generator would work in theory, but the dead animal smell would just come back while it's still decomposing.
Use vinegar: Vinegar is truly the simplest solution to deodorize the space. Just fill in several disposable cups with vinegar and arrange them around the area where the dead animal was found. The vinegar can magically soak in all the bad smell leaving the space odorless and fresh. Use ground coffee or coffee filters:
No. Unless you are used to such smells, you might be grossed out or nauseous, but that isn't an actual illness and it doesn't cause you tangible physical harm.
Remains will begin to decompose and produce an unpleasant odor after just six hours in warm weather. If it's warmer, decomposition is faster.
Vinegar is a great and cheap option for cleaning the home that is safe but also effective at neutralizing strong odors.
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.
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.
Dead animals can also carry many viruses and bacteria that will enter the air that's being circulated throughout the living environment. For the well-being and health of everyone in the home, this is obviously a situation that cannot be left unchecked.
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.
Vinegar: Renowned for its natural disinfectant properties, vinegar can effectively absorb odors. Create a solution by combining vinegar with a few drops of lemon juice and leave it overnight in the most affected area. Coffee Grounds: Dampened coffee grounds or filter packs can absorb odors effectively.
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.
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.
The temperature should reach 130o to 150o F for several days or weeks because at this temperature, microorganisms are active, decomposition proceeds quickly, and pathogens are destroyed.
It is recommended that the dead animal be covered with lime or similar material prior to being covered with soil. This will aid in decomposition and reduce the potential for odors. In areas of high groundwater, animals cannot be buried within three (3) feet of groundwater depth.
Dead animals are a threat to public health because of intolerable odors and the potential spread of diseases such as Salmonellosis, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, and other zoonotic diseases.
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.
In addition, dead animals rotting in the environment also emit greenhouse gases such as Nitrous oxide (N2O), Carbon dioxide (CO2) or Methane (CH4) into the atmosphere (Dalva et al., 2015, Sakata et al., 1980, Zeng, 2015).
It may take days or weeks for the carcass to dry out and the odor to naturally and completely disappear.
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.
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 use coffee filter packs or coffee grounds that have been lightly dampened with water. Place the coffee in an open container and allow it to sit in the affected area for several hours. You may need to repeat the process several times to thoroughly eliminate the odor.