Dead Animals in the Attic - How to Get Rid

Invasive wildlife often happen to die in our houses, and this can be a small or a big problem, depending on the size and location of the dead animal. Either way, it’s always a problem, and it should not be ignored. There are a couple of valid reasons why a dead animal in the house should not be ignored, mainly because of the awful smell of a rotting corpse, fluids that leak during decomposition and can stain and damage surfaces, and because the carcass will attract all sorts of insects and even other wildlife in search for an easy meal.

Removing a dead animal from the attic: First of all, removing a dead animal requires protective gear, so make sure you comply. If you’re lucky and the body of the dead animal lies in plain sight, you can pick it up, put it in a double bag, and dispose of it in accordance with the laws that apply in your specific area regarding dead animal disposal. Cleaning the area of maggots and fluids is very important, and a good cleaning product that neutralizes biohazard waste should be used. Usually, things are not that easy, as animals will instinctively search for a secluded space in their time of dying, and it may not be as easy for you to find the carcass, especially if you don’t know what type of animal you’re looking for. A thing like this can drive someone to the edge of insanity, especially if air flow, temperature and humidity start playing tricks on you. For example, you could swear based on the intensity of the smell downstairs that the decomposing body is right above the hallway, when in fact, the body is in a corner right above the kitchen, even if the smell isn’t present in the kitchen. If the animal happens to die burrowed under insulation, the body will be even harder to locate. Unfortunately, there’s no trick to finding a dead animal body in the attic, except for using your nose. And while someone with a trained nose can immediately tell you what type of animal is the culprit, and roughly where the carcass is located within seconds of entering the attic, it’s practically impossible for a newbie to put on such a performance.

Removing dead animal bodies is always very unpleasant, but it beats the alternative. Of course, you can always choose to take the alternative, meaning living with the smell until it disappears. And this may not be such a big issue if the foul smell comes from a couple of dead baby rats or baby squirrels, but if it’s the carcass of an adult animal, it will probably get worse before it gets better. If you simply cannot find the source of the smell, do yourself a favor and hire a pro to deal with the situation.

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