How long does it take for a dead mouse to stop smelling in a wall?

Author: Shayna Hodkiewicz IV  |  Last update: Thursday, November 13, 2025

This is costly and time-consuming, but typically the only way to remove a dead mouse. If you choose to wait it out, it can take up to 3 weeks to a month for the stinking odour to pass.

How long will a dead mouse in the wall stink?

The smell of dead mice can last up to two weeks if not treated properly. However, if you do not get rid of them quickly enough, the odour will spread through your home or business premises, making it almost impossible for anyone to stay there unless they have a strong sense of smell or are used to such smells.

How do you get rid of dead mouse smell in the wall?

Ventilate your space: Your best first line of defense is to create more airflow in the space where the smell is particularly awful. Keep doors and windows open, and run a fan near the area to bring in more fresh air. Active charcoal packets: These small packets can work wonders at removing odors.

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 to do if you smell a dead mouse in your house but can t find it?

This may lead you to hidden areas where the mouse may have died. Inspect common rodent hideouts, such as behind appliances, in wall voids, or under cabinets. These animals tend to seek shelter in secluded, warm areas. Examine your home's ventilation system as the odor might be circulating through the ducts.

How to get rid of dead rat smell?

Is breathing in dead mouse smell harmful?

It's dead. But the decomposing process of the carcass is still a threat to your health, as it activates all sorts of harmful, airborne agents and pathogenic bacteria, which can easily find their way into your lungs and digestive system, or to your skin.

Who to call to remove a dead animal in a wall?

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.

How long can a mouse stay 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.

How much does an exterminator cost for mice?

Our research shows that hiring a mouse exterminator costs an average of $394, with some professional exterminators charging between $90 and $150 per visit. Promptly dealing with a mouse infestation is crucial to maintaining a safe and healthy home.

Will mice leave if they see a dead mouse?

A dead mouse repels other mice, which is why it's important to get rid of them immediately.

What is the best deodorizer for dead mouse smell?

Try deodorizing with baking soda, charcoal, or pet odor enzymatic sprays.

How long does it take for mouse urine smell to go away?

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.

How to get rid of dead mouse smell when you can't find it in car?

Use a mild detergent mixed with water to wipe down the surfaces. For fabric areas like carpets or seats, consider using an enzyme-based cleaner specifically designed to break down organic matter and neutralize odors. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe and effective usage.

Does dead mouse smell attract mice?

As many know, dead mice give off their own smell. Strangely enough this smell can attract other mice, especially when food is scarce. That's right- mice will eat dead mice if they need to. They are scavengers which means they will eat whatever they can possibly find, including their fallen cohorts.

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

Thanks to this reliable and relatively brief lifecycle, maggots are an essential indicator used by forensic scientists to determine time of death. Maggots typically appear on a dead body around 24 hours after death, giving forensic entomologists a reference point when they assess the stage of larval development.

Where do mice go after eating poison?

Mice that have taken poison return to their nest and die. This may cause a smell, however, this should go after a short while depending on how warm the nest is. Nests are difficult to locate so it is not recommended that you attempt to remove them. It is essential to repair mouse damage to prevent further infestations.

What do mice hate the most?

13 scents that mice hate and can help you to keep them away
  • Cinnamon. This has a strong and spicy aroma that mice probably hate. ...
  • Vinegar. Mix some water and vinegar in a spray bottle to mist any areas where they have been seen more often.
  • Dryer sheets. ...
  • Cloves/clove oil. ...
  • Peppermint oil. ...
  • Teabags. ...
  • Mint toothpaste. ...
  • Ammonia.

How do you get rid of mice if you can't afford an exterminator?

  1. Eliminate entry points. ...
  2. Use mouse traps. ...
  3. Choose the best bait for mouse traps. ...
  4. Proper placement of mouse traps is critical. ...
  5. Bait stations. ...
  6. Good sanitation won't get rid of mice, but poor sanitation will attract them. ...
  7. Tackle the mice inside of outside of the house.

What to do if a mouse dies in your 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 long until dead mouse smell goes away?

Sometimes a dead mouse smell will last about a week, but it could continue for two or three weeks, depending on where the rats or mice final resting place is.

What scent will keep mice away?

The strong scent of peppermint is overwhelming to mice. Similarly, essential oils such as eucalyptus oil, bergamot oil, clove oil, and cinnamon oil are potent in keeping mice at bay. One study noted that eucalyptus oil applied once a day was more effective as a rat repellant than once a week.

How long does it take for a dead animal to stop smelling?

It may take days or weeks for the carcass to dry out and the odor to naturally and completely disappear.

What happens if you leave a dead animal in the wall?

If you don't remove the dead animal, the horrible stink will remain in your house until the animal completely decomposes and gets eaten by maggots, and the whole process will take a little more than a week with a small animal like a mouse or rat, and over a month with a big animal like a raccoon or opossum.

How much does it cost to remove a dead animal from the wall?

Your dead animal removal cost will run between $150 and $250, depending on accessibility. You can expect to pay additional fees for animals located in hard-to-reach spots, such as removing critters from your attic.

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