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Reducing Dead Animal Smell
A squirrel made its way through an opening to the attic, then down the
interior of a wall in our master bedroom. We have since had an exterminator company seal off the opening, but the squirrel died inside the wall a few days ago, and now the room smells. Short of tearing open the wall to remove the dead squirrel, is there something that can be done to reduce the smell? We have put baking soda on the carpet along the base of the wall, put out some solid air fresheners, and spray, but no significant improvement. This did happen once before a couple of years ago, and after several weeks the smell completely dissipated. I'd rather not have to wait that long this time, but might have to, unless some temporary solution exists, again short of opening the wall. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
Dimitrios Paskoudniakis wrote:
A squirrel made its way through an opening to the attic, then down the interior of a wall in our master bedroom. We have since had an exterminator company seal off the opening, but the squirrel died inside the wall a few days ago, and now the room smells. The company that performed this "service" for you was negligent for not removing the squirrel (live or dead) *BEFORE* they sealed the entrance. You're a dumb shmuck for allowing them to do that. This did happen once before a couple of years ago (throws up arms) So you don't learn from your mistakes. That's what I expect from Americans. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:44:44 -0400, Dimitrios Paskoudniakis wrote:
Short of tearing open the wall to remove the dead squirrel, is there something that can be done to reduce the smell? We have put baking soda on the carpet along the base of the wall, put out some solid air fresheners, and spray, but no significant improvement. Find another dead squirrel and keep it on the bedroom floor; the smell should mask that of the one trapped in the wall. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Friday, June 29, 2012 10:53:11 AM UTC-4, Home Guy wrote:
Dimitrios Paskoudniakis wrote: A squirrel made its way through an opening to the attic, then down the interior of a wall in our master bedroom. We have since had an exterminator company seal off the opening, but the squirrel died inside the wall a few days ago, and now the room smells. The company that performed this "service" for you was negligent for not removing the squirrel (live or dead) *BEFORE* they sealed the entrance. You're a dumb shmuck for allowing them to do that. What do you want them to do, tear the whole house apart to catch the squirrel? Unless the ******* is sitting in the doorway staring them in the face, and it's **** drunk, there is no way to actively catch him. May as well burn the damn house down, but that's probably what you backwoods Canucks do... or you just name it Aunt Rosie and set a place at the dinner table for it. They close off the entrance, and set traps. SOP, and short of tearing the house apart, the only logical way to do it. Squirrels are stupid. If they were smart they'd get hungry and go out the way they came in. They get stuck in a random wall cavity and die. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
Go to Home Depot. Back in the cleaning supplies section. Zep makes some
really great odor neutralizer liquid. Mix up about five gallons of this. Drill a half inch hole in the drywall near the top of the bay, where the squirrel got in. Use a funnel, and pour in four or five gallons of odor neutralizer. Should help with the smell. You really think there is answer other than open the wall? I don't. Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Dimitrios Paskoudniakis" wrote in message ... A squirrel made its way through an opening to the attic, then down the interior of a wall in our master bedroom. We have since had an exterminator company seal off the opening, but the squirrel died inside the wall a few days ago, and now the room smells. Short of tearing open the wall to remove the dead squirrel, is there something that can be done to reduce the smell? We have put baking soda on the carpet along the base of the wall, put out some solid air fresheners, and spray, but no significant improvement. This did happen once before a couple of years ago, and after several weeks the smell completely dissipated. I'd rather not have to wait that long this time, but might have to, unless some temporary solution exists, again short of opening the wall. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On 6/29/2012 10:44 AM, Dimitrios Paskoudniakis wrote:
A squirrel made its way through an opening to the attic, then down the interior of a wall in our master bedroom. We have since had an exterminator company seal off the opening, but the squirrel died inside the wall a few days ago, and now the room smells. Short of tearing open the wall to remove the dead squirrel, is there something that can be done to reduce the smell? We have put baking soda on the carpet along the base of the wall, put out some solid air fresheners, and spray, but no significant improvement. This did happen once before a couple of years ago, and after several weeks the smell completely dissipated. I'd rather not have to wait that long this time, but might have to, unless some temporary solution exists, again short of opening the wall. My son had the wall opened when this happened. Not much more to do or wait it out. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
"Dimitrios Paskoudniakis" wrote in
: A squirrel made its way through an opening to the attic, then down the interior of a wall in our master bedroom. We have since had an exterminator company seal off the opening, but the squirrel died inside the wall a few days ago, and now the room smells. Years ago I had that same problem with mice. I learned, then, why Bromone is an imperfect solution to mice, even as it's wonderfully effective in killing them... Short of tearing open the wall to remove the dead squirrel, is there something that can be done to reduce the smell? In my experience, you basically have two options: 1) wait until the carcass mummifies, or 2) open the wall. If you end up opening the wall, I hope you know exactly where he is, otherwise you'll be searching stud-by-stud. I feel for you. A squirrel is much larger than a mouse, and will take longer to mummify. That stench is awful. -- Tegger |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Jun 29, 12:31*pm, Tegger wrote:
"Dimitrios Paskoudniakis" wrote : A squirrel made its way through an opening to the attic, then down the interior of a wall in our master bedroom. *We have since had an exterminator company seal off the opening, but the squirrel died inside the wall a few days ago, and now the room smells. Years ago I had that same problem with mice. I learned, then, why Bromone is an imperfect solution to mice, even as it's wonderfully effective in killing them... Short of tearing open the wall to remove the dead squirrel, is there something that can be done to reduce the smell? In my experience, you basically have two options: 1) wait until the carcass mummifies, or 2) open the wall. If you end up opening the wall, I hope you know exactly where he is, otherwise you'll be searching stud-by-stud. I feel for you. A squirrel is much larger than a mouse, and will take longer to mummify. That stench is awful. -- Tegger Why not just a big window fan?????? |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:53:11 -0400, Home Guy wrote:
You're a dumb shmuck for allowing them to do that. Home Guy is the smartest man in the broom closet (and harry). He knows what happens when a dog catches the car. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:44:44 -0400, "Dimitrios Paskoudniakis"
wrote: Short of tearing open the wall to remove the dead squirrel, is there something that can be done to reduce the smell? Sure. Use the neighbors dog. It can find the smell in the cavity. Watch his behavior. Just above the bottom wall plate drill a 4" hole with a hole saw. Pull the varmint out. Absent that, cover it with lye. Putting your hand in a hole is better than tearing the wall out. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Jun 29, 7:44*am, "Dimitrios Paskoudniakis"
wrote: A squirrel made its way through an opening to the attic, then down the interior of a wall in our master bedroom. *We have since had an exterminator company seal off the opening, but the squirrel died inside the wall a few days ago, and now the room smells. Short of tearing open the wall to remove the dead squirrel, is there something that can be done to reduce the smell? *We have put baking soda on the carpet along the base of the wall, put out some solid air fresheners, and spray, but no significant improvement. This did happen once before a couple of years ago, and after several weeks the smell completely dissipated. *I'd rather not have to wait that long this time, but might have to, unless some temporary solution exists, again short of opening the wall. May be wrong, but thought Fabreze neutralizes rotting protein smell. Check with a rendering plant? What do they use. Can find easily, watch for 'blue', or are those 'green'?, flies. They'll congregate as close as possible to the corpse. circular pattern on the exterior wall. I've seen those flies accumulate way before an odor even starts. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
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Reducing Dead Animal Smell
"Dimitrios Paskoudniakis" wrote:
A squirrel made its way through an opening to the attic, then down the interior of a wall in our master bedroom. We have since had an exterminator company seal off the opening, but the squirrel died inside the wall a few days ago, and now the room smells. Short of tearing open the wall to remove the dead squirrel, is there something that can be done to reduce the smell? We have put baking soda on the carpet along the base of the wall, put out some solid air fresheners, and spray, but no significant improvement. This did happen once before a couple of years ago, and after several weeks the smell completely dissipated. I'd rather not have to wait that long this time, but might have to, unless some temporary solution exists, again short of opening the wall. Aside from the good advise, use a large air cleaner with plenty of activated charcoal. Get an automatic dispensing room freshener. Battery operated. Greg |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:16:25 -0700, "Steve B" wrote:
Without a doubt, the best damn squirrel trap in the world, worth every penny. http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/pr...atalog_Page.as p?mi=4449&title=tube+trap+squirrel+trap Steve Ho do you trap a dead squirrel? |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
Without a doubt, the best damn squirrel trap in the world, worth every
penny. http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/pr...qui rrel+trap Steve |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
Here in Utah, we just had the second death from hantavirus this year. It
comes from rodents, and squirrels fall into that category. This is nothing to take lightly. Spray with Clorox and water mix when you open it up. Spray it all with the Clorox mix, and wear rubber gloves and very good masks. You may qualify for professional help from your health department. I'd call them. If it was my house, I'd already have three sheets of drywall off there, the insulation torn out, sprayed liberally (a lot of spray, not sprayed by a liberal), and all the droppings and stained material removed. You could have a serious contamination problem there. Definitely something you want to clean up totally, not just remove the squirrel. Steve |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
wrote in message ... On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:16:25 -0700, "Steve B" wrote: Without a doubt, the best damn squirrel trap in the world, worth every penny. http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/pr...atalog_Page.as p?mi=4449&title=tube+trap+squirrel+trap Steve Ho do you trap a dead squirrel? Don't know if you followed the thread or not, but the conversation was dwelling for a time there when the squirrel was alive and able to be captured and avoid all the falderal. Do try to keep up. Steve |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:28:41 -0700, "Steve B" wrote:
wrote in message .. . On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:16:25 -0700, "Steve B" wrote: Without a doubt, the best damn squirrel trap in the world, worth every penny. http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/pr...atalog_Page.as p?mi=4449&title=tube+trap+squirrel+trap Steve Ho do you trap a dead squirrel? Don't know if you followed the thread or not, but the conversation was dwelling for a time there when the squirrel was alive and able to be captured and avoid all the falderal. Do try to keep up. Steve I followed the thread. The OP said it was dead in a wall. You suggested a trap. Thus, I had to ask how you trap a DEAD squirrel. I suppose someone will now ask "But how dead was it, on a scale from one to ten?" Only the OP can answer that, but if it smells, I'd say it's a ten. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
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Reducing Dead Animal Smell
"Home Guy" wrote in message ... wrote: Ho do you trap a dead squirrel? You don't. You allow it to leave before you close up the hole. It was already dead. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
Dimitrios Paskoudniakis wrote:
Ho do you trap a dead squirrel? You don't. You allow it to leave before you close up the hole. It was already dead. Not according to your original post: ========= A squirrel made its way through an opening to the attic, then down the interior of a wall in our master bedroom. We have since had an exterminator company seal off the opening, but the squirrel died inside the wall a few days ago, and now the room smells. ========= The order of events as you first described the situation indicate that the squirrel died after the opening into your walls were sealed off. Do you now want to tell us the truth, or do you want to spin another version of this story? |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
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Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Saturday, June 30, 2012 12:10:58 PM UTC-4, Home Guy wrote:
wrote: What do you want them to do, tear the whole house apart to catch the squirrel? As opposed to what - tearing the "whole house" apart to remove a dead sqirrel? And it's not even that. If a live squirrel found his way into a wall cavity, he can damn sure find his way out - unless the home-owners go all ape-**** and terrorize him and preventing him from doing that. If they were smart enough to find their way back out, they would after a couple of hours when they got hungry and couldn't find food. The homeowners can't go ape-**** 24/7. Hungry squirrel with any sense at all should make a break for it as soon as things quiet down. They don't. They wander around randomly until they are too hungry and weak to move, then they fall down in a wall cavity and die. there is no way to actively catch him. You don't want to catch him. You want him to leave - preferrably the same way he got in. You also want to keep more squirrels from finding the hole and getting in. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Sun, 1 Jul 2012 07:39:01 -0700 (PDT), wrote:
You also want to keep more squirrels from finding the hole and getting in. You sound like a woman....... (especially one who hates men)!!!! |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
Two thoughts.
Well, three. If you're handy at all, open the wall cavity and solve it quickly. But if not, Reduce the humidity in the room as much as possible to speed mummification. It won't be perfect because the interchange between room and cavity is probably small. But it might be worth setting a dehumidifier in the space anyway. Add an ozone generator to the room. They can be amazingly effective at reducing organic smells. There is some speculation that they work more to desensitize the nose than actually remove the smell - some real flame wars over this in the past, but they seem to work. Some portable air cleaners include ozone generation. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Mon, 2 Jul 2012 07:07:18 -0700 (PDT), TimR
wrote: Two thoughts. Well, three. If you're handy at all, open the wall cavity and solve it quickly. Four: Just remove that wall. it's a common misconception that houses need 4 walls. This is not true. Three walls will suffice. Just apply a blue plastic tarp whenever it rains. To remove the wall. Shut off electrical power, water, and gas. Take chainsaw and cut the corners of the defective wall. When it's cut all the way around, get some strong guys over. Get them drunk, and push the wall outward until it falls. Once the wall is down, hook a chain to that wall and the other end to your buddies redneck pickup truck (the one with the dixie flag, number 69 on the doors, and naked woman picture in rear window). Once the wall is securely chained to the truck, drink lots more beer, then drive 100mph or faster down the highway. The wall will just vanish after 20 miles or so. (Be sure to watch for that dead skuirrell, and when it flies out of the wall, celebrate by chugging another 12 pack, while driving faster than the speedometer will read). Note: Before turning the power, water, and gas back on, contact the electric company, gas company, and a plumber. They might need to seal some pipes or wires with ducttape. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
TimR wrote:
Two thoughts. Well, three. If you're handy at all, open the wall cavity and solve it quickly. But if not, Reduce the humidity in the room as much as possible to speed mummification. It won't be perfect because the interchange between room and cavity is probably small. But it might be worth setting a dehumidifier in the space anyway. Add an ozone generator to the room. They can be amazingly effective at reducing organic smells. There is some speculation that they work more to desensitize the nose than actually remove the smell - some real flame wars over this in the past, but they seem to work. Some portable air cleaners include ozone generation. It's hazardous to be in a room with ozone. Although a hospital uv light fixture, claimed to be near zero ozone, help make the air smell sweet. Ozone is for uninhabited rooms. It dissipates in short order, then you can enter. The ozone goes back to oxygen. Greg |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Monday, July 2, 2012 6:21:05 PM UTC-4, Gz wrote:
TimR wrote: Two thoughts. Well, three. If you're handy at all, open the wall cavity and solve it quickly. But if not, Reduce the humidity in the room as much as possible to speed mummification. It won't be perfect because the interchange between room and cavity is probably small. But it might be worth setting a dehumidifier in the space anyway. Add an ozone generator to the room. They can be amazingly effective at reducing organic smells. There is some speculation that they work more to desensitize the nose than actually remove the smell - some real flame wars over this in the past, but they seem to work. Some portable air cleaners include ozone generation. It's hazardous to be in a room with ozone. Although a hospital uv light fixture, claimed to be near zero ozone, help make the air smell sweet. Ozone is for uninhabited rooms. It dissipates in short order, then you can enter. The ozone goes back to oxygen. Greg The EPA doesn't recommend them, and you make a good point about being cautious. Still, I've seen a couple of warehouse situations with mold odors where they worked very well. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
TimR wrote:
The EPA doesn't recommend them, and you make a good point about being cautious. Still, I've seen a couple of warehouse situations with mold odors where they worked very well. If the EPA is against them, that's a mark in their favor! Yes, Ozone generators, and not the piddly kind either, will rid a room of any organic occupant - be it a smell or mold. It is used to clean up after dead things and very dead things. |
why don't you repair that hole in the wall?? Although its quite costly. but this is the only permanent solution from the awful smell of dead squirrel.
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Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Tue, 3 Jul 2012 20:54:50 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote: TimR wrote: The EPA doesn't recommend them, and you make a good point about being cautious. Still, I've seen a couple of warehouse situations with mold odors where they worked very well. If the EPA is against them, that's a mark in their favor! I don't know if I'd say *against*-- but they sure aren't *for* them. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html Yes, Ozone generators, and not the piddly kind either, will rid a room of any organic occupant - be it a smell or mold. It is used to clean up after dead things and very dead things. And it is easy enough to run it when nobody is in the room--- kind of like a bug bomb. Jim |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
"aniejomes" wrote in message ... why don't you repair that hole in the wall?? Although its quite costly. but this is the only permanent solution from the awful smell of dead squirrel. aniejomes Huh? Even if you have to go buy a small piece of drywall and a small bucket of mud, you're in it about $8. Steve |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Thu, 05 Jul 2012 07:29:51 -0700, Steve B wrote:
"aniejomes" wrote in message ... why don't you repair that hole in the wall?? Although its quite costly. but this is the only permanent solution from the awful smell of dead squirrel. aniejomes Huh? Even if you have to go buy a small piece of drywall and a small bucket of mud, you're in it about $8. Well, potentially there's matching of paint or wallpaper to worry about, or texturing on the wall (our house walls are all textured, and although I can replace plain 'ol drywall, I have no idea how to do the texturing and make it match the style that's already there so that it doesn't stand out) cheers Jules |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Sunday, July 1, 2012 6:35:42 PM UTC-4, (unknown) wrote:
You sound like a woman....... (especially one who hates men)!!!! You sound like a tool...... |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
On Wednesday, July 4, 2012 1:36:50 AM UTC-4, aniejomes wrote:
why don't you repair that hole in the wall?? Although its quite costly. but this is the only permanent solution from the awful smell of dead squirrel. Even if you dig out the dead squirrel, it will be 7-10 days at least before the smell totally goes away... If you think it smells bad now, just wait until you open up the wall... You thought it smelled bad on the OUTSIDE! |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
Jules Richardson wrote:
Well, potentially there's matching of paint or wallpaper to worry about, or texturing on the wall (our house walls are all textured, and although I can replace plain 'ol drywall, I have no idea how to do the texturing and make it match the style that's already there so that it doesn't stand out) Here's how: Put some sheetrock mud in a bowl. Add water to make it somewhat liquid. Dip a stiff brush in the mess. Holding the brush upside down, flick spots of diluted joint compound at the wall. If not right, wipe off and start over with a thicker/thinner mixture. |
Reducing Dead Animal Smell
"Jules Richardson" wrote in message ... On Thu, 05 Jul 2012 07:29:51 -0700, Steve B wrote: "aniejomes" wrote in message ... why don't you repair that hole in the wall?? Although its quite costly. but this is the only permanent solution from the awful smell of dead squirrel. aniejomes Huh? Even if you have to go buy a small piece of drywall and a small bucket of mud, you're in it about $8. Well, potentially there's matching of paint or wallpaper to worry about, or texturing on the wall (our house walls are all textured, and although I can replace plain 'ol drywall, I have no idea how to do the texturing and make it match the style that's already there so that it doesn't stand out) cheers Jules |
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