Dead Animal Removal
What's That Smell?
There are many aspects to a pest control service and perhaps the most challenging is dead animal removal. Everyone has, at one time or another, encountered that "dead animal smell." The most common type of dead animal removal is that of a dead rat or squirrel in an attic or wall. It can cause serious odor problems, swarms of flies, or even stains on the ceiling or wall. If an animal has died in your home, you'll know it. We have even dealt with cases of raccoons being electrocuted inside air handlers which is really nasty because every room in the house will smell like the burned, rotting body and it makes it tough to figure out where the smell is coming from.
Why Dead Animals Can Still Be Dangerous
Removing dead animals is only the beginning. Carcasses can breed bacteria and molds and can make an area unusable for long periods. Before the animal died, it is likely that it left behind large amounts of fecal material. These materials are prime sources of disease spores and molds and should never be disturbed unless properly treated and contained. If it is in the attic or down a wall, we will find it, remove it, and decontaminate the area.
Dead animals attract different kinds of vermin and disease, not to mention attract new problem animals that may feed on the carcass. Of course, the smell and sight are also offensive. If an animal dies on your property and you do not wish to get rid of it yourself due to health concerns or other reasons, we can safely remove it for you for a small service fee. If the dead animal(s) has expired inside a wall it may involve some dismantling, for example, the removal of drywall. Carcass removal fees are based on the degree of difficulty of the removal. If you think you may have to get rid of dead animals in your home or attic contact us and we will give you a no obligation estimate to remove it.
If we do find and remove any dead animals in your home it is a good idea to also have the area decontaminated to avoid having potentially infectious diseases eliminated on the spot.
Dead animals attract different kinds of vermin and disease, not to mention attract new problem animals that may feed on the carcass. Of course, the smell and sight are also offensive. If an animal dies on your property and you do not wish to get rid of it yourself due to health concerns or other reasons, we can safely remove it for you for a small service fee. If the dead animal(s) has expired inside a wall it may involve some dismantling, for example, the removal of drywall. Carcass removal fees are based on the degree of difficulty of the removal. If you think you may have to get rid of dead animals in your home or attic contact us and we will give you a no obligation estimate to remove it.
If we do find and remove any dead animals in your home it is a good idea to also have the area decontaminated to avoid having potentially infectious diseases eliminated on the spot.
Nuisance Concerns
The primary problem with a dead animal, of course, is the odor. When an animal dies in the home, it will naturally start to decay. As it does, it gives off organic compound which we detect with our olefactory (smelling) sense. The odor may be slight at first, but after about three days after the death of the animal, the odor can be quite strong. The strength of the odor depends on many factors:
Size of Animal:
A larger animal means more decaying flesh, which means a stronger odor. A dead raccoon has a stronger odor than a dead rat.
Animal Species:
Different animals actually have different odors as they decay. Rats are particularly foul, per body weight.
Location of Carcass:
This is a big deal. If it dies down a centrally located wall in an area with poor ventilation, watch out. If it dies at the edge of the attic near a ventilated soffit, not so bad.
State of Decomposition:
This is the part of dead animal removal that most people have the hardest time with. At first the odor is weak, then it grows stronger as maggots process the carcass. As the biomass decreases, the odor gradually lessens but that can take some time. The odor life cycle varies, depending on the size of the animal. Aside from the odor, the sight of a decomposing raccoon squirrel or opossum can be plenty disturbing and even dangerous to whoever does the cleanup. Definitely NOT a do it yourself type of job.
Temperature
The dead animal will decompose more quickly at higher temperatures. Furthermore, the dispersal of odor molecules is stronger at higher temperatures. The rule of thumb is hotter = smellier.
Humidity
Your ability to recognize odors is enhanced at higher humidity levels.
Air FlowThis is a factor which is often overlooked. Sometimes with a dead animal, people say, "I smell it stronger in the morning" or some variation. It all depends on where the air is flowing. If the dead animal is in the attic, perhaps as the attic cools off at night, the odor molecules sink down to the house level, but as the attic heats up in the day, the stinky air rises up, and doesn't smell as strong in the house.
Regardless of the exact strength of the odor, most people cannot tolerate the stench caused by dead animals in the house. It's simply very unpleasant.
Air FlowThis is a factor which is often overlooked. Sometimes with a dead animal, people say, "I smell it stronger in the morning" or some variation. It all depends on where the air is flowing. If the dead animal is in the attic, perhaps as the attic cools off at night, the odor molecules sink down to the house level, but as the attic heats up in the day, the stinky air rises up, and doesn't smell as strong in the house.
Regardless of the exact strength of the odor, most people cannot tolerate the stench caused by dead animals in the house. It's simply very unpleasant.
A customer noticed a dead animal smell when he turned on his air conditioner. We located the animal inside an air duct but had to go through the furnace to reach it. We go ANYWHERE to get rid of dead animals and remove them.