Dead Animal Removal and Odor Control

Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Regional Office of Rid-A-Critter

There are few things that can take the "sweet" out of "home sweet home" like the smell of a dead animal rotting away somewhere in a wall void. Even the carcasses of small animals like mice can make your home smell unpleasant for a week or two; and the rotting carcasses of larger animals like rats, squirrels, or raccoons can create an unbearable stench that can last for months.

Animals can die inside your home for all kinds of reasons, but one of the most common ones is because an old-fashioned exterminator set poison out for rats or mice. When these animals (or others) eat the poison, the chances are that they will die in your home. Don't believe the silly old wives' tale that they'll "go outside to seek water." Like humans, when animals start feeling sick, they go home: and if "home" happens to be inside your house, then that's likely where they'll go to die.

Animals living in your home who are injured in the wild or become sick from other causes can also die inside your house, as can those who simply die of old age. Again, if your home is also their home, that's where they're likely to die.

Whatever the reason, however, dead animals can stink up your home. They can also also attract insects like flies that spread disease, creating health hazards that require action to make your home healthy to live in again.

Health Risks Associated with Dead Animals

The smell of a dead animal in your home is only part of the problem. There can also be disease and health hazards. Some of these include:

Displaced Parasites. While they're alive, most animals have parasites like fleas, ticks, mites, and lice living or on their bodies; and many of these parasites can transmit serious diseases. When the host animal dies, the parasites go looking for a new host; and some of them aren't too picky. If you or your pets are the tastiest-looking hosts they can find, you may well become their next meal.

Flies and Other Insects. Dead animals serve as breeding media for many species of flies, beetles, and some other insects, many of which can cause disease. Flies are among the biggest disease vectors, especially when they move from feeding on or laying eggs in an animals carcass to landing on human food or food preparation surfaces.

Bacteria. One of the reasons why dead animals smell so bad is because their carcasses serve as breeding media for all kinds of bacteria, many of which emit foul-smelling gases. This is why humans and other animals have adapted to not eat meat that smells bad. It's because rotting meat smells bad because it really is bad. It can make you sick.

Molds and Fungi. There are also many mycotic organisms like molds and fungi that thrive on decaying animal matter and droppings, and some of these organisms are harmful to humans, often causing respiratory problems, skin irritation, or systemic infections.

Long story short, a dead animal in your home doesn't just smell bad. It very well might make you sick. It needs to be removed.

Dead Animal Removal

The Athens, Georgia office of Rid-A-Critter provides dead animal removal throughout Athens-Clarke County, Georgia and the surrounding area. We also provide sanitizing and odor-control services, if needed, to help your house smell better and to prevent possible health problems.

Our animal carcass removal and odor-control services may include (depending on the situation):

• Location and removal of the dead animal.
• Decontamination and disinfection of the area where the animal was found.
• Inspection of the HVAC filters.
• Replacement of contaminated insulation, if needed. (Please click here to learn more about this service.)
• Parasite control, if needed.
• An inspection to determine how the animal got into the home, what other damage it may have done, and how to avoid similar problems in the future.

How to Avoid Dead Animal Problems

Obviously, the most important step in avoiding dead animal problems is to avoid live animal problems. If one animal got into your home and died, then others can do the same. Please consider calling us so we can arrange an inspection of your home to see if you need animal exclusion.

Other things that you can do yourself to reduce the risk of animal problems include:

• Inspect all windows, doors, and vents in your attic, crawl space, and basement to make sure they're animal resistant and in good condition.
• Periodically inspect your home for evidence of animal problems such a fur, feathers, droppings, urine stains, damaged insulation, and nesting materials.
• Most importantly, if you find evidence of an animal or bird problem, don't use poisons! You'll be asking for trouble. That's how most of our dead animal removal jobs started. Call us instead to learn about our long-lasting, non-chemical bird, pest, and animal exclusion services.

For help with any animal problem -- even dead animal problems -- please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.

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The Athens, Georgia office of Rid-A-Critter provides dead animal removal and decontamination in Athens-Clarke, Greene, and parts of Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall, Banks, Jackson, and Oconee Counties in Georgia, including Athens, Auburn, Bogart, Commerce, Good Hope, Greensboro, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Watkinsville, and Winder. We are fully licensed and insured. Your town not listed? Contact us.

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