The smell of a dead mouse is hard to miss. It is sharp, foul, putrid, and gets stronger by the hour. Whether it’s in your home, office, car, or garage, the odor can quickly take over the entire space. In many cases, the dead mouse is not even in a reachable area. It could be stuck behind a wall, under the floor, or inside a vent.
When this happens, tearing down your walls might seem like the only option (and rightfully so), but there are a few ways on How to Get Rid of Dead Mouse Smell without causing any damage to the property. Keep on reading to know exactly what to do.
What Does a Dead Mouse Smell Like?
Well, you’ll usually know when there’s something dead decomposing in your space. But still, to confirm, a dead mouse smells like rotting meat mixed with the smell of sweaty socks and a hint of ammonia.
So, what happens is that a dead mouse releases gases like sulfur dioxide and methane during decomposition, which causes the smell to linger.
How Long Does the Smell of a Decomposing Mouse Last?
To be honest, if you do nothing, the smell can last weeks, depending on its size and the humidity in the area. In closed spaces, the smell tends to get worse fast.
On the off chance that a mouse is stuck inside a wall or a ceiling and you cannot reach to clean the remains, you’ll have to take some extensive measures (more on that in a second).
5 Easy Ways To Get Rid of the Dead Mouse Smell
Locate the Body
Now, this might make you puke, but you’ll have to go around the space sniffing for the source, where the smell will be stronger. Check under the crawl spaces, vents, inside closets, attics, and garages. If the mouse is in a visible place, put on some gloves, use a sealed bag, and toss it ASAP.
Ventilate the Area
Open all the windows and doors to let fresh air in. Make sure to do this for a few hours a day, as stale air traps odors.
Use Odor Absorbents, Not Just Air Fresheners
Spraying air fresheners will just mask the smell. You need to neutralize it, try using:
- Activated charcoal
- Bowls full of baking soda
- Coffee grounds
- Sliced apples (it sounds strange, but fresh-cut apples oddly work at soaking up foul odors)
These will reduce the stink to some degree over a few days.
Try Enzymatic Cleaners
These cleaners help break down organic matter. So, even if you don’t see the body, spray them generously in the area that you suspect the mouse is in. These will start neutralizing the decay at a molecular level.
Call a Professional Pest Control Company
If the smell does not fade after a week despite your best efforts, or you know that the smell is coming from an unreachable area, it’s time to call in the experts. They have tools (like thermal cameras and odor neutralizers) that make the job faster and safer.
Wrapping Up
The smell of a decomposing animal body is just gross and stubborn. But with the right approach, you can make it go away. However, if you can’t locate the source, call in the best rat killer. Because the faster you take action, the sooner your space won’t smell like death.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How long can a mouse live without food or water?
A mouse might survive about 4 days without food but only 2 days without water.
Q2. Will the dead mouse smell go away on its own?
Eventually, yes, but it can take months. The sooner you deodorize or remove the body, the better.
Q3. How do I know if the smell is from a dead mouse and not mold or sewage?
There is nothing discrete about a dead mouse. It is pungent, acidic, and usually compared to the odor of rotting flesh. Mold tends to be musty, whereas sewage has more of a sulfur-like (rotten egg) smell.