What happens if a rat dies in your wall?

Author: Prof. Gwendolyn Daniel  |  Last update: Sunday, August 17, 2025

With several dead rat carcasses in the wall, your house could be smelling horrid for two or more weeks. Moreover, the odour won't go away entirely until the corpse is mummified or decomposed into the skeleton. It could take anywhere from 3 to 4 months for a rat to fully decompose into a skeleton.

What to do if a rat died in the wall?

If there is a dead critter, mark the outline of the panel (as square as possible, and flush with the studs on each side) to remove and have a trash bag waiting. Put on some gloves, cut it out with the jab saw, dispose.

How long does a dead rat smell in the wall?

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.

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.

Can a dead rat smell harm you?

A poison would not contain a pathogen; it would contain a poison. Live rats carry pathogens which are potentially harmful to humans. The smell of a dead rat, while certainly unpleasant, is not toxic and will go away as the rat decomposes and dries up (fortunately a fairly quick process).

How to get rid of dead rat smell?

Can a dead rat in the wall make you sick?

If you've ever faced the unmistakable stench of a dead rat in your home, you know how quickly it can become a health hazard. The lingering smell isn't just unpleasant—it can carry harmful bacteria that could impact your well-being.

How long can a rat live trapped in a wall?

Any remaining rats inside the walls of your home will get hungry and thirsty since we have blocked all entry & exits. Rats can only survive within 5 to 7 days without food or water. Removing the walls is just a matter of a few days.

How long can you leave a dead rat in the wall?

With several dead rat carcasses in the wall, your house could be smelling horrid for two or more weeks. Moreover, the odour won't go away entirely until the corpse is mummified or decomposed into the skeleton. It could take anywhere from 3 to 4 months for a rat to fully decompose into a skeleton.

What to do if something died in your walls?

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.

How do exterminators get rid of rats in walls?

Pest control professionals typically use a combination of methods to address rats in floorboards and walls, even if they haven't come out. This includes baiting, trapping, and sealing entry points. Bait stations with poison are often placed strategically to attract rats inside the walls or floorboards.

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.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a dead rat smell?

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.

How to find a dead mouse in your wall?

Trust your sense of smell and follow the odor trail. Pay attention to the areas where the smell is most potent. Shine a blacklight lamp in dark corners, as the fur and urine of rodents can be detected under ultraviolet light. This may lead you to hidden areas where the mouse may have died.

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

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.

Should you move 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. However, if you insist on handling the situation yourself, follow these steps: Wear protective gear: Gloves and a mask are essential.

How do you clean after finding a dead rat?

Clean up dead rodents or nests
  1. Step 1: Wear rubber or plastic gloves.
  2. Step 2: Spray the dead rodent, nest, and surrounding area with a disinfectant. ...
  3. Step 3: Place the dead rodent or nesting materials in a plastic bag along with any used traps. ...
  4. Step 4: Tie the ends of the bag together in a knot to seal the bag.

Is it bad to leave a dead animal in the wall?

Dead animals leave a horrendous smell, and the carcass can lead to health hazards, insect infestations, stains and lingering odors.

What to do about a dead rat in the 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.

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.

Is breathing in dead rat smell harmful?

Rotting flesh smells bad, and that's exactly what you'll be dealing with if you have a dead rat in your house. The smell will be strongest near the carcass, but it can also spread throughout the entire home. Not only is the smell unpleasant, but it can also cause respiratory problems and nausea.

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 does it take to get rid of rats in walls?

It generally takes roughly 3 days to one week to get rid of rats with rat poison. Mechanical traps can sometimes take a few days to trap rats because the rodents may be wary of the trap. A pest control professional can remove rats in as little as one day to a few days depending on the size of the infestation.

How to get rats out of walls fast?

Eliminating rats involves creating DIY bait stations, sealing up entry points, setting traps, and using ultrasonic repellers and natural deterrents like peppermint oil. Professional pest control services offer a comprehensive approach to rat removal, including inspections, exclusion services, and targeted treatments.

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 happens if I block a rat hole?

During the day, when rats are usually hidden inside, you can block the hole entrance. If there are occupants during the night, they will dig their way out past the obstruction. Come in the morning, and you will find out for sure if something is living there.

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