How Long Will Dead Animals Smell For?

Why do dead animals smell?

Scientifically, it’s the combination of sulfur dioxide, methane, benzene derivatives, and long-chain hydrocarbons produced as various body parts decompose that leads to offending smells. 

But to those familiar with the stench of dead bodies, it's simply the smell of death. Like all smells, it is hard to describe. But unless you're a real vulture, you'll find the smell disgusting and sickening.

Unfortunately, getting rid of pests or rodents can result in the smell of death, which may make you think that the solution is worse than the problem!

How long will dead animals smell for?

Dead animals will smell until they are entirely decomposed or dried out. The damper the site, the longer the odor will last.

For example, if a rat dies near a steam pipe, the smell can be horrible for weeks, but the odor from a dead mouse may last only a day. In fact, there may be no noticeable odor from a single dead mouse, but several dead mice in the same area could be a problem. 

Accumulations of dead insects can also cause an odor problem. For example, dead insects can rot in an insect light trap, or an insecticide-treated wasp nest in a wall void can become quite stinky.

In addition to the smell during decomposition, lingering odors can stick around for as long as a month.

How do you eliminate the odor from a dead animal or rodent?

Find and Remove the Dead Animal

The obvious solution for odor elimination is to find and remove the dead animal or animals, then ventilate the site. 

To locate a dead animal in a wall void, use your nose. Flies in the room may lead you to the spot or even Fido, your pet dog. You may see maggots migrating away from the carcass. Or, with a larger animal, you might find a damp spot or a stain on the wall or ceiling.

What if you can’t remove the carcass?

If you think you've found the dead animal and it can't be removed, drill a hole through the wall one foot above the floor and pour or inject a disinfectant, odor neutralizer, or masking solution. Be sure to plug the injection holes afterward. If you can, seal off any cracks that allow the odor to escape from the void. Then, use a fan to draw fresh air into the treated area, forcing the old air out. Place the fan to blow air out of the window or vent that it is placed in and to draw in fresh air from another window or vent across the room.

You also may need to treat for blow flies, dermestid beetles, or other pests that infest decaying carcasses.

How do you eliminate the odor from a dead animal or rodent?

Here are some ways that you can eliminate odor from dead animals in your home:

• You can remove the odor from the air by using an air cleaner with an absorbent filter — an absorbent filter such as activated charcoal or silica gel. When room air circulates through the filter, it absorbs and removes particles.
• You can add something to the air that neutralizes the odor. Odor neutralizers often contain bacteria or enzymes that break down the organic compounds causing the odor.
• Add a new, more desirable odor that temporarily masks or covers up the bad odor. Masking deodorants are highly concentrated fragrances that simply cover up the bad smell. They don't neutralize it. Since they have a very strong fragrance, use them carefully to be sure they aren't more offensive than the original odor.

How can I prevent smells from dead animals?

A better solution than smell elimination is prevention. In residences, offices, or other sites where odors from dead animals are a concern, pest-proofing and other Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tactics are used to prevent pests from entering the structure.

If you think you may have a wildlife animal or rodent dead or alive on your property or home, contact Thomas Pest Services, your family-owned nuisance wildlife removal expert in Upstate New York.

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