Bad Smell
We get several questions a year about a bad smell eminating from a person's
walls. Other times the questions are about skunk spray.
For skunk odor questions visit our skunk odor
page
Is that odor coming from the wall? Get the Fiber Optic Probe
SOME CAUSES OF ODORS
Odors can come from two different sources:
1. Feces/Urine of the animal.
Some animals like bats, raccoons, flying squirrels urinate and deficate in
buildings. If these nusiance animals are not removed then the fecal/urine material
can build up and make a stench. Understand that you can have feces/urine in
your home and not have any noticible smell. Odors can be dissapated by attic
vents and shielded by thick insulation. WARNING: BEFORE REMOVING ANY ANIMAL
FECES/URINE OR CONTAMINATED MATERIAL BE SURE YOU HAVE AN APPROPRIATE UNDERSTANDING
OF THE POTENTIAL BIOHAZARDS INCUMBENT ON SUCH REMOVAL. For more info click animal
diseases
2. Animal's themselves.
Othertimes, the odors are caused by the animals themselves. Animals like raccoons
and squirrels have their own odors that over time can become more pronounced
in a home. Other times, these animals smell because they die in the walls or
attic.
Signs that the smell eminated from a dead animal
- flies
- smell starts small and gets progressively stronger and lingers for days
to weeks. This is especially true of skunks which die under decks and sheds.
- putrid odor
Don't be surprised at the amount of odor caused by something as small as a
mouse.
Strategies to respond and even to prevent these odors.
- See if you can find the cause/source. Use caution when looking. Other
living animals may be around. Also you should wear appropriate protective
equipment in case you accidentally find the carcass. Protective clothing should
include but not be limited to 1. rubber gloves inside leather gloves. 2. old
clothes, 3. Properly fitted HEPA filter face mask.
- Increase air flow. Air flow dissipates the smell.
- Spray deodorant. It doesn't have to be anything special. What you
like to smell is the most important aspect. Be careful what surfaces you spray
the deodorant on as it may discolor the surface. We have heard good reports
with the Citrus Neutrox Odor Counteractant Concentrate. You can learn more
about this product at Deodorant
If you plan on purchasing it insert WDC001 in the comments section for a discount.
WDC doesn't sell this product. But a distributor will give a discount to those
who buy from us.
- Epoleon Corporation makes a number of deodorizing products that have a following
in the Wildlife Control Community. I have never used their product. But I
have heard good reports on them. You can learn more about their products by
visiting their web site at www.epoleon.com
- I don't recommend tearing out the walls, because it is easy to be fooled
and be one stud away. Thus requiring you to make two holes instead of one.
I would suggest not using poisons to control mice as this problem can happen
again although it is rare.
- Remember that the odor will go away eventually. As soon as the carcass
dries out the odor will cease. Of course the larger the animal the longer
it takes. This need to dry out the carcass is critical. The sooner you can
dry it out the sooner the odor will leave. Of course, if you can remove the
carcass (using proper protective equipment and recognizing that there may
be infectious agents in the carcass) then the odor will go away even faster.
- We have heard of ozone type deodorizing and/or ionizing devices to
dissipate odors. We have not been able to fully get a firm scientific handle
on the validity of their claims. Be cautious about such claims from the salesmen
of these machines.
6/28/04
Disclaimer: WDC seeks to provide accurate, effective and responsible information
on resolving human/wildlife conflicts. We welcome suggestions, criticisms to
help us achieve this goal. The information provided is for informational purposes
only and users of the information use it at their own risk. The reader must
consult state/federal officials to determine the legality of any technique in
the reader's locale. Some techniques are dangerous to the user and to others.
WDC encourages readers to obtain appropriate training (see our informational
literature at our Store ), and understand that proper animal damage
control involves patience, understanding that not every technique/method works
for every situation or even 100% of the time. Your use of this information is
governed by this understanding.
We welcome potential users of the information
and photos to simply ask for permission via e-mail. Finally, WDC welcomes
e-mail but understand that all e-mails become property of Wildlife Damage Control.
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