Get Rid Of Dead Mouse Smell | Green Giant Home & Commercial (2024)

If you were ranking the worst smells you can encounter, the nasty smell of a decayed mouse or rat has to be considered.

A dead mouse smells bad, and it is not something you want to live with.

What do Dead Mice Smell Like?

One of the most unpleasant things you can experience is the smell of a dead rodent. Mouse and rat carcasses release a potent odor that can penetrate through air ducts, walls and floors. The stench is so strong that it can cause headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

As it turns out, there are two main culprits: decomposition and bacteria. When a mouse dies, its body starts to break down and release various gases. The result is an incredibly foul odor that can quickly fill a room.

The odor of a dead mice might not be that bad at first, but it will continue to get worse until it overpowers your nostrils. Out of nowhere, you’ll start to detect a rancid smell in a certain area of your home. This scent will evolve to a cabbage-like smell and then to a strong smell of decay.

The smell comes and goes in the beginning, it gets worse for a while then it comes and goes again when the dead rodent is almost decomposed. The middle is the worst part.

Stop this from happening again.

Our rodent pest control includes recommendations for preventative measures.

A dead rat smell is similar to a mouse but stronger and it lasts longer – because a rat is larger than a mouse. Either way, the rodent smell makes it obvious that you have a dead critter!

If this is what you’re experiencing, and you think there’s a dead mouse in your wall or air vent — you may be motivated to do something about it. Sometimes a dead mouse smell will last about a week, but it could continue for two or three weeks, depending on where the rats or mice final resting place is.

You might be able to just wait out the horrible stench. If the mouse happens to die in aninaccessiblearea of your home, there are some steps you can take.

How to Get Rid of a Dead Mouse In a Wall?

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.

How to Get Rid of the Odor!

Depending on what kind of weather we’re experiencing, you may be able to ventilate your home and help dissipate the smell. Open up your windows and doors, turn on a few fans, and get some fresh air in and the rotten air out.

At Green Giant Pest Control, we use sprays and absorbent bags to get rid of the odor until the dead mouse smells go away – without masking the odor with another smell.

You can also absorb some of the scent by placing one of these remedies around the affected area:

  • Dry coffee grounds
  • A baking soda and water spray
  • Cups of vinegar
  • Open containers of charcoal briquettes

It’s important to remember that mice can carry some nasty diseases and germs with them, whether they’re dead or alive. So, doing a deep clean of the affected area should also be on your to-do list.

All of our technicians are licensed by the state of Pennsylvania, and we’re proud members of thePennsylvania Pest Management Association, theNational Pest Management Association, theProfessional Pest Management Alliance.

Get Rid Of Dead Mouse Smell | Green Giant Home & Commercial (2024)

FAQs

Get Rid Of Dead Mouse Smell | Green Giant Home & Commercial? ›

At Green Giant Pest Control, we use sprays and absorbent bags to get rid of the odor until the dead mouse smells go away – without masking the odor with another smell. You can also absorb some of the scent by placing one of these remedies around the affected area: Dry coffee grounds. A baking soda and water spray.

How do you neutralize dead mouse smell? ›

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.

How long does it take for a decomposing mouse to stop smelling? ›

A dead rat, mouse, or other animal smell can linger and produce an even stronger odor as time wears on until it's fully decomposed which could take 6 to 10 weeks. During this time, filth flies and other insects may arrive and consume or breed on the rotting body, creating more problems.

What can mask the smell of a dead mouse? ›

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. We're very, very sorry there's a dead animal in your wall, making a part of your home a temporary “no-go” zone.

What is the best odor eliminator for dead animals? ›

Bleach. If you're looking to eliminate horrid smells and clean a potentially infected area, bleach is your best friend. Bleach is excellent for eliminating foul-smelling bacteria, therefore both disinfecting any remnants of a dead rat in addition to removing the undesired smell.

Does vinegar absorb dead mouse smell? ›

Vinegar Solution.

Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Use this solution to spray and wipe down the affected spot. The vinegar will help eliminate the pungent smell and disinfect the area, making it fresher.

Will coffee grounds get rid of dead mouse smell? ›

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.

What is the best odor eliminator? ›

Compare
ProductsProduct LinksEffectiveness
Best Overall: Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag$39 at Amazon5/5
Best for Bathrooms: Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray$10 at Amazon5/5
Best for Fabric Upholstery: Febreze Fabric Refresher$15 at Amazon5/5
Best for Refrigerators: Ellis Harper Fridge Ninja Deodorizer$20 at Amazon5/5
4 more rows
Jan 9, 2024

Is breathing in dead mouse smell harmful? ›

The smelly carcass is emitting a pungent odour of decay and a "bouquet" of toxic gases like foul-smelling of rotten cabbage thiols, methane, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and pyruvic acid. Well, the smell itself can't really hurt you but your nose.

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.

How do you neutralize the smell of death? ›

Removing the Odor Left From Death
  1. Biohazard waste containers.
  2. Ozone machines (to remove odors)
  3. Hospital-grade disinfectants.
  4. Enzyme solvents.
  5. Chemical treatment tanks.

How to cover up dead animal smell? ›

Just make a solution with baking soda and water, and spray it within the affected area. Do this 2 to 3 times a day and you will see the wonders it will performs. A charcoal briquette is also a proven way of eliminating odor from a dead Ohio animal in the house.

Will Clorox get rid of dead animal smell? ›

Bleach-soaked rags, baking soda, coffee grounds, and even charcoal can help deodorize the stench of a dead animal while Lysol and Febreze can help sanitize.

How do you get rid of old mouse smell? ›

Mixing vinegar with water creates a solution that can effectively eliminate odors on various surfaces. Its acidic nature helps break down odor-causing molecules, making it an effective and natural deodorizer. Wiping down surfaces with this mixture can help eliminate lingering scents left behind by mice.

What kills mice without them smelling? ›

What Mouse Poison Kills With No Smell? Active ingredients in MouseX® products synthesize a mummification process within rodents' bodies, causing bodies to dry out and reducing odor by as much as 90% when compared with other rodenticides.

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