Hello,

I just moved into an old house (build in the 1920s) with a finished
basement (finished about 10 years ago).

About a month ago we noticed a sickly sweet smell around the back
wall. It doesn't smell musty, but it is quite strange and we don't
like it. It seems to almost go away and then come back stronger
sometimes.

The former owner had some mouse poison out so my theory is that one or
more mice might have died in the wall and are causing the funk.

My problem is that I don't know what a dead mouse smells like, so I'm
not sure if that is it. It's hard to describe the smell but there is
definitely a "sweetness" to it, but not a "mmm someone's making pie"
kind of sweet, but one that is somehow unpleasant.

My 2 questions:

1) Is this a dead animal in my wall perhaps?

2) Anyone have any idea how long it will last?


It's driving me nuts so I'm thinking about busting holes in the
drywall this weekend.

Thanks!

Dirk Puslich wrote:
My 2 questions:
=20
1) Is this a dead animal in my wall perhaps?

Rotting meat does *NOT* smell sweet. You've never smelled same?

--=20
dadiOH
_____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.0...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
____________________________

Dirk Puslich wrote:

Hello,

I just moved into an old house (build in the 1920s) with a finished
basement (finished about 10 years ago).

About a month ago we noticed a sickly sweet smell around the back
wall. It doesn't smell musty, but it is quite strange and we don't
like it. It seems to almost go away and then come back stronger
sometimes.

The former owner had some mouse poison out so my theory is that one or
more mice might have died in the wall and are causing the funk.

My problem is that I don't know what a dead mouse smells like, so I'm
not sure if that is it. It's hard to describe the smell but there is
definitely a "sweetness" to it, but not a "mmm someone's making pie"
kind of sweet, but one that is somehow unpleasant.

My 2 questions:

1) Is this a dead animal in my wall perhaps?

2) Anyone have any idea how long it will last?

It's driving me nuts so I'm thinking about busting holes in the
drywall this weekend.

Thanks!

I would hold off on busting any holes.

Smells like that are hard to pinpoint. Sometimes sewer gas
odors give a sickly sweet or sweet/sour smell (at least to my nose).
That particular odor seems to be less likely on septic systems.

Also, sewer gas odors may come and go depending on wind conditions
which affect the air pressures in the stack.

Have you looked for any floor drains with dried out traps?
Floor drains need to be refilled with water every few months.

Jim

On 21 Apr 2004 13:32:35 -0700, (Dirk Puslich)
wrote:

My problem is that I don't know what a dead mouse smells like, so I'm
not sure if that is it. It's hard to describe the smell but there is
definitely a "sweetness" to it, but not a "mmm someone's making pie"
kind of sweet, but one that is somehow unpleasant.

I once had a mouse expire directly under my built in dishwasher. By
the time I figured out where that smell was coming from and removed
the kick panel he was fuzzy, mold-covered, pool of slime.

Sweet-smelling? Hoo-ha! NO WAY!

I reckon it's something else, Dirk.

--John W. Wells

About a month ago we noticed a sickly sweet smell around the back wall.

Oddly enought, bedbug infestations are said to have that odor. Do a Google
search for articles relating to this. Other bugs might also do similar. HTH

Joe

Someone also suggested that it could be mouse urine, possibly in the
insulation. Does anyone know what mouse pee smells like? One poster
on another board said it has a "sweet" odor to it.




osspam (Joe Bobst) wrote in message ...
About a month ago we noticed a sickly sweet smell around the back wall.

Oddly enought, bedbug infestations are said to have that odor. Do a Google
search for articles relating to this. Other bugs might also do similar. HTH

Joe

In article , (Dirk Puslich) wrote:
Someone also suggested that it could be mouse urine, possibly in the
insulation. Does anyone know what mouse pee smells like? One poster
on another board said it has a "sweet" odor to it.

Probably not unless the mice are diabetic. Mouse pee smells pretty much like
any other kind of pee.

In article , (Dirk Puslich) wrote:
Someone also suggested that it could be mouse urine, possibly in the
insulation. Does anyone know what mouse pee smells like? One poster
on another board said it has a "sweet" odor to it.

Probably not unless the mice are diabetic. Mouse pee smells pretty much like
any other kind of pee.

It could be stashed food, or rotting cellulose insulation, or some peculiar
type of mold, too.

Looks like it's time for someone to invent an electronic stench identifier..
Either that, or a scratch&sniff sampler of common offenders....

--Goedjn

wrote:



In article , (Dirk Puslich) wrote:

Someone also suggested that it could be mouse urine, possibly in the
insulation. Does anyone know what mouse pee smells like? One poster
on another board said it has a "sweet" odor to it.


Probably not unless the mice are diabetic. Mouse pee smells pretty much like
any other kind of pee.


It could be stashed food, or rotting cellulose insulation, or some peculiar
type of mold, too.

Looks like it's time for someone to invent an electronic stench identifier..
Either that, or a scratch&sniff sampler of common offenders....

--Goedjn



lol oh my...thats an idea.

Wonder if there are strange knockings and noises....kinda like the
Amityville Horror that was a sickly sweet smell IIRC. :-O
Linda

" wrote:

-snip-
Looks like it's time for someone to invent an electronic stench identifier..

Voila! http://www.iit.edu/~jrsteach/enose.html and
http://www.nose-network.org/

Either that, or a scratch&sniff sampler of common offenders....

My LP gas company set me a sample of the additive they were using in
my gas. That was fun. . . 'Honey-- what do you think of this
perfume?' g

If this new homeowner has any gas coming into his house-- either LP or
natural- and is not familiar with the smell, he should ask his utility
for a sample. Gas is not to be trifled with. i wouldn't call it a
sweet smell, but there have been several other odors mentioned in this
thread that were described as sweet that I wouldn't call sweet
either.]

Jim

I finally found the words to describe the smell:

"Musky honey"

Whatever it is if it's not gone in 10 days the drywall is getting busted...



Linda wrote in message ...
wrote:



In article , (Dirk Puslich) wrote:

Someone also suggested that it could be mouse urine, possibly in the
insulation. Does anyone know what mouse pee smells like? One poster
on another board said it has a "sweet" odor to it.


Probably not unless the mice are diabetic. Mouse pee smells pretty much like
any other kind of pee.


It could be stashed food, or rotting cellulose insulation, or some peculiar
type of mold, too.

Looks like it's time for someone to invent an electronic stench identifier..
Either that, or a scratch&sniff sampler of common offenders....

--Goedjn



lol oh my...thats an idea.

Wonder if there are strange knockings and noises....kinda like the
Amityville Horror that was a sickly sweet smell IIRC. :-O
Linda

On 22 Apr 2004 14:47:43 -0700, (Dirk Puslich)
wrote:

I finally found the words to describe the smell:

"Musky honey"

Whoa! Where's your libido, man?! I think Frederick's Of Hollywood
sells that scent--don't touch that wall!

--JWW

Dirk Puslich wrote:

Hello,

I just moved into an old house (build in the 1920s) with a finished
basement (finished about 10 years ago).

About a month ago we noticed a sickly sweet smell around the back
wall. It doesn't smell musty, but it is quite strange and we don't
like it. It seems to almost go away and then come back stronger
sometimes.

The former owner had some mouse poison out so my theory is that one or
more mice might have died in the wall and are causing the funk.

My problem is that I don't know what a dead mouse smells like, so I'm
not sure if that is it. It's hard to describe the smell but there is
definitely a "sweetness" to it, but not a "mmm someone's making pie"
kind of sweet, but one that is somehow unpleasant.


Maybe it is the mouse poison? Or an aromatic hydrocarbon based
insecticide, like Lindane?

Wait! I've got it! Thousands of Asian ladybugs or boxelder bugs inside
the wall.

As someone else already said, the smell you're describing is the
characteristic smell of bedbugs.

I'm glad it's your house and not mine,
Bob

Before cutting into dry wall I'd get a good exterminator (one who deals
with more than just insects) to come in and offer an opinion. It will
cost much less and certainly be less aggravation than re-doing your walls.

RB

Dirk Puslich wrote:
Hello,

I just moved into an old house (build in the 1920s) with a finished
basement (finished about 10 years ago).

About a month ago we noticed a sickly sweet smell around the back
wall. It doesn't smell musty, but it is quite strange and we don't
like it. It seems to almost go away and then come back stronger
sometimes.

The former owner had some mouse poison out so my theory is that one or
more mice might have died in the wall and are causing the funk.

My problem is that I don't know what a dead mouse smells like, so I'm
not sure if that is it. It's hard to describe the smell but there is
definitely a "sweetness" to it, but not a "mmm someone's making pie"
kind of sweet, but one that is somehow unpleasant.

My 2 questions:

1) Is this a dead animal in my wall perhaps?

2) Anyone have any idea how long it will last?


It's driving me nuts so I'm thinking about busting holes in the
drywall this weekend.

Thanks!

(Dirk Puslich) wrote:

I finally found the words to describe the smell:

"Musky honey"

Whatever it is if it's not gone in 10 days the drywall is getting busted...

What are the possibilities of an old food spill? [a dropping
barometer, change in wind direction or dampness would make it more
noticeable at times]

Exploded root beer, beer, or wine bottles?

Or bees in the wall?

Jim

replying to Dirk Puslich, jason wrote:
dirk_puslich wrote:

Hello,
I just moved into an old house (build in the 1920s) with a finished
basement (finished about 10 years ago).
About a month ago we noticed a sickly sweet smell around the back
wall. It doesn't smell musty, but it is quite strange and we don't
like it. It seems to almost go away and then come back stronger
sometimes.
The former owner had some mouse poison out so my theory is that one or
more mice might have died in the wall and are causing the funk.
My problem is that I don't know what a dead mouse smells like, so I'm
not sure if that is it. It's hard to describe the smell but there is
definitely a "sweetness" to it, but not a "mmm someone's making pie"
kind of sweet, but one that is somehow unpleasant.
My 2 questions:
1) Is this a dead animal in my wall perhaps?
2) Anyone have any idea how long it will last?
It's driving me nuts so I'm thinking about busting holes in the
drywall this weekend.
Thanks!



Yes I know exactly what you are talking about. We just started renting a
house, and had someone come and set some traps all around.
We went away for a week, and came back to the same smell in the basement.
Sometimes stronger than others.
At first I thought it was the garbage but after we took it out the smeller
lingered days later.
Today I had the man come back and there were mice caught EVERYWHERE. He
plugged a hole in the outer wall so hopefull that will help, but please
don't let people tell you its not a mouse because it probably is.



--

Death has a smell you will never forget.

I doubt a mouse would leave much of a stink..think a bigger rodent like a squirrel or raccoon.

jason wrote:
replying to Dirk Puslich, jason wrote:
dirk_puslich wrote:

Hello,
I just moved into an old house (build in the 1920s) with a finished
basement (finished about 10 years ago).
About a month ago we noticed a sickly sweet smell around the back
wall. It doesn't smell musty, but it is quite strange and we don't
like it. It seems to almost go away and then come back stronger
sometimes.
The former owner had some mouse poison out so my theory is that one or
more mice might have died in the wall and are causing the funk.
My problem is that I don't know what a dead mouse smells like, so I'm
not sure if that is it. It's hard to describe the smell but there is
definitely a "sweetness" to it, but not a "mmm someone's making pie"
kind of sweet, but one that is somehow unpleasant.
My 2 questions:
1) Is this a dead animal in my wall perhaps?
2) Anyone have any idea how long it will last?
It's driving me nuts so I'm thinking about busting holes in the
drywall this weekend.
Thanks!



Yes I know exactly what you are talking about. We just started renting a
house, and had someone come and set some traps all around.
We went away for a week, and came back to the same smell in the basement.
Sometimes stronger than others.
At first I thought it was the garbage but after we took it out the smeller
lingered days later.
Today I had the man come back and there were mice caught EVERYWHERE. He
plugged a hole in the outer wall so hopefull that will help, but please
don't let people tell you its not a mouse because it probably is.



--

I had a nasty smell in my storage shed. I don't know if I'd call it "sweet"
but it sure was unpleasant. Luckily it was easy for me to find the cause.

I started to empty the shed looking for something dead and one of the first
things I picked up was a crumbled up lawn & leaf bag that was crammed into
a corner. As soon as I picked it up I realized that it seemed heavier than
it should be. The human mind it funny like that. How much does a dead mouse
weigh...not much, right? Yet as soon as I picked up the plastic bag, I knew
it didn't feel right. I unfolded it and a dead mouse fell out. I tossed it
in the woods, left the shed doors opened for about 24 hours and the smell
was gone.

On 12/23/2013 5:45 PM, Daring Dufas A Sock Of Killer Loon wrote:
Death has a smell you will never forget.

I doubt a mouse would leave much of a stink..think a bigger rodent
like a squirrel or raccoon.

One of your relatives Killer Loon? ^_^

TDD

The Daring Dufas wrote:
On 12/23/2013 5:45 PM, Daring Dufas A Sock Of Killer Loon wrote:
Death has a smell you will never forget.

I doubt a mouse would leave much of a stink..think a bigger rodent
like a squirrel or raccoon.

One of your relatives Killer Loon? ^_^

TDD

Aside from his lame attempt to spoof your nym, his response is ridiculous.
I had a dead mouse in my shed, inside a lawn and leaf bag. You could smell
it when you walked by the closed door. Dead stinks.

Daring Dufas TeaBillie on welfare ) writes:

Death has a smell you will never forget.

You are correct.


I doubt a mouse would leave much of a stink..think a bigger rodent like a squirrel or raccoon.


You are incorrect. They will leave a stink, even when they drown
in a tub of used motor oil and sink to the bottom! Ask me how
I know!

On 31 Dec 2013 04:09:34 GMT, (M.A. Stewart)
wrote:

Daring Dufas TeaBillie on welfare ) writes:

Death has a smell you will never forget.

You are correct.


I doubt a mouse would leave much of a stink..think a bigger rodent like a squirrel or raccoon.


You are incorrect. They will leave a stink, even when they drown
in a tub of used motor oil and sink to the bottom! Ask me how
I know!

You expect a stalking lefty to tell the truth?

We had a Mickey die in a sink overflow, years ago. It stunk up the
entire house. It took a few bottles of acid and some clever funnels
to get the thing out of there.