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.
According to forum posts, it takes about 6 weeks for the smell of a dead animal inside the walls of your home to dissipate.
Coffee grounds are pleasant, powerfully aromatic and absorb odor. Other options that work on that dead mouse smell are charcoal deodorizer bags, Odor Remover Bags, pet odor enzymatic sprays and, if you're willing to spend some money, air ionizer machines.
Charcoal. Charcoal is a natural odour-absorber that can be used to get rid of dead rat smell. Simply place a few activated charcoal briquettes in the area where the odour is strongest. The charcoal will absorb the odour and help neutralise the smell.
Cut up apples, and put them where the smell is the worst. It's what we did when we had a mouse die in the wall. It oddly works. The apples absorb the smell. One or two to start with. It doesn't matter what kind.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cut a hole in the drywall to find the dead animal's carcass. Wear thick gloves and remove the body. Dump it in a plastic bag and spray the particular area with disinfectant generously. Patch the drywall shut with the original cutout, taping and mudding it as necessary.
Coffee Grounds: Dampened coffee grounds or filter packs can absorb odors effectively. Place them in an open container within the affected area for several hours, repeating the process if necessary. Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the odor-stricken area and let it sit for several hours before vacuuming.
Examine Droppings: As unpleasant as it may be, the appearance of droppings can help identify the animal. Monitor Activity: Note when the noises are most frequent. Sounds in the wall at night usually indicate nocturnal animals like mice, rats, or raccoons.
Remember that the odor will go away eventually.
Larger carcasses will take more time to dry out. Of course, if you can remove the carcass (using proper protective equipment and recognizing that there may be infectious agents in the carcass), then the odor will go away even faster.
You can use natural odor neutralizers, such as vinegar and baking soda to absorb foul smells. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and can help absorb odors instead of masking them.
A mixture of water and vinegar, which neutralizes the ammonia in animal urine, can be used to scrub down walls and hardwood floors, while water and a wet vac should be all you need to tackle dried pet accidents on carpet.
Vinegar is a popular remedy for removing dead animal odors. It is known for its natural deodorizing properties. To implement this method, mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle.
Locate the source. As soon as you notice what you think is the dead rat smell, start looking for an increased presence of flies, maggots, beetles and other insects that are attracted to dead animals.
Try deodorizing with baking soda, charcoal, or pet odor enzymatic sprays. You may also use a combination of deodorizing and sanitizing solutions. Create a 10/90 bleach/water mixture. Vinegar or commercial disinfectants are also good choices.
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.
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.
In most recorded cases, symptoms develop 1 to 8 weeks after exposure. Early symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, body aches, headaches, diarrhea and abdominal pain, are similar to many other viral illnesses. This may prevent an HPS diagnosis before the illness progresses.
The best way to clean rat urine is to use a mixture of bleach and water. Mix one part bleach with 10 parts water, and then use the solution to clean the affected area. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask when cleaning, as the bleach solution can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. Ventilate the area.
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.
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.
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.