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Dead Mouse Smells Behind a Wall – What to Do?

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.

What Do Dead Mice Smell Like?

The odor of a dead mouse 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 turn from a cabbage-like smell 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.

Sometimes a dead mouse smell will last about a week, but it could continue for two or three weeks, depending on where the rodent’s body died.

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.

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.

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

Preventing Future Problems

Preventing future problems with dead mouse smells in your walls starts with keeping rodents out of your home. Inspect your property for potential entry points (like gaps around foundations, doors, windows, pipes, or vents) and seal them up. Additionally, make sure to maintain a clean and uncluttered environment to make your home less appealing to rodents.

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