Sometimes, you will be unable to locate the dead rodent. In these cases, it will be necessary to find a way to remove as much of the odor as possible until the rodent decomposes and stops smelling. This usually takes several weeks, although the smell will lessen gradually over that time.
If you have a dead mouse in your car you will know right away, the stink will be pukingly bad after a few days and will grow stronger over the next week, then over the next 3 months will gradually fade out. The good thing is after 6 months time all trace of the odor will be gone, my car smells fine now.
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.
It's not uncommon for poisoned mice to die in hidden crevices within walls, ceilings, and floorboards. If you don't come face to face with the carcass, the odor trail should lead you to the problem area.
The mouse in inside the heater fan motor's fan blade (it looks like a hamster wheel). Have your mechanic remove the bolts that holds the fan motor to the duct under the dash. Once the motor is out, the rodent should be visible. Clean the blower motor with disinfectant and then have the foam process done.
Try to pinpoint the exact location of the dead rodent by following the foul odor. Common hiding spots include under seats, in the engine bay, or in the trunk.
The best solution for lingering smell from a dead rodent is professional duct cleaning. Pros can thoroughly scrub and disinfect most duct surfaces. This is often the best way to get rid of any lingering odors and offers peace of mind about bacteria or viruses the dead animal may have left behind.
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.
On the Devices screen, select Mouse in the left-hand column. Under Related settings in the right-hand panel, click Additional mouse options. In the Mouse Properties window, click the Pointer Options tab, and look under Visibility. Check the box next to Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key.
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.
It may take days or weeks for the carcass to dry out and the odor to naturally and completely disappear. Humidity can affect the process and make the nauseating odor even more intense. So, if a rat dies near steam pipes or other moist areas in your home or car, it may be "ripe" for a long time.
Smelling dead mice on a trap will also deter mice from coming too close to your mouse trap. Once they realize it, they'll start avoiding areas where they know you've rigged trap(s) up.
The exact source of the smell may be hard to pinpoint because the stench has a way of spreading everywhere in the vicinity (and seeping into the fibers of your very being). Also, you might have to cut a hole in the wall just to get to the carcass. If you can wait it out, the odor will eventually go away.
Ways to Keep Mice out of a Car You're Driving
While it's easier for a mouse to settle into a car that doesn't move regularly, rodents also find daily driven vehicles attractive. Your engine remains hot after turning off, temporarily giving mice the warmth they seek.
If you can find the dead animal yourself, carefully remove it using gloves. The CDC recommends soaking the carcass in a disinfectant solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water for five minutes before double-packing it in sealable plastic bags and disposing of it in a garbage can that's emptied regularly.
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. Inspect common rodent hideouts, such as behind appliances, in wall voids, or under cabinets.
In the Mouse window that opens, under Related settings, select Additional mouse options. In the Mouse Properties window that opens: Select the Pointers Options tab. Under the Visibility section, select the checkbox Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key.
When they feel threatened, mice play dead until all danger has passed.
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.
Using either a commercially labeled disinfectant or a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, spray the materials until fully soaked and let sit 5 minutes.
How long will the smell last? Answer: The odor will last about 10 days or perhaps a bit longer.