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Wildlife and odor service
Dead Animal Removal in Atlanta, GA
If an animal has died in your attic, wall, crawl space or yard, do not handle it bare-handed. CDC says never to approach animals that appear injured, sick or dead. Call Pest Control Atlanta at (404) 647-6677 and describe what you found and where. We remove dead animals, including rodents, squirrels, possums, raccoons, birds, snakes and similar animals, from anywhere on your property, such as an attic, crawl space, wall void or yard, as access allows.
The service
What dead animal removal covers
Dead animal removal means finding and removing the animal and dealing with what it leaves behind, usually odor. The cases UGA describes are small animals that die in attics, crawl spaces or wall voids, where the smell can be strong long before anyone sees the animal.
Where it happens
UGA says that once an animal dies in the attic, under the crawl space or in the wall voids, it can cause an unpleasant odor.
Poison is a common cause
UGA says poisoned rodents usually crawl into an inaccessible space in a wall or behind appliances, die and then smell awful. WSU Extension says baited rodents can begin to smell within a couple of days.
Entry points matter
UGA says to seal openings into the attic and trim branches touching the roof so animals cannot get in.
Pest Control Atlanta removes dead animals, including rodents, squirrels, possums, raccoons, birds, snakes and similar animals, from any location on the property, such as an attic, crawl space, wall void or yard, as access allows. Sanitizing and deodorizing are optional and done only if you want them. Bats and legally protected species are a special case: they may be handled only as the law permits and only by appropriately qualified specialists, so call and describe the animal before anyone moves it. Because every property is different, call first, describe what you found and where, and we will talk through what removal involves.
Signs you may have a dead animal
- A strong odor that appeared suddenly, especially a few days after rodent baiting (WSU).
- Scratching or movement in a wall or attic that has stopped.
- Flies gathering where you cannot see a source. WSU says blowflies congregate on the wall at the source of an odor.
- Odor or staining concentrated in one wall, ceiling or crawl space area.
Smell alone does not tell you what died or where. Note where the odor is strongest, how long you have noticed it and anything you have seen or heard, and have that ready when you call.
What the work involves
- Locate the source. Odor strength, flies and recent activity narrow down where to look. WSU notes that blowflies gather on the wall at the source of a hard-to-find odor.
- Remove the carcass. UGA says to use disposable gloves and a dust mask for dead rodents, and to dispose of carcasses and used gloves in the trash or bury them. WSU says to drop dead rodents directly into sealable plastic bags.
- Sanitize and deodorize, if you want it. This is optional and done only if you ask. WSU says commercial deodorants or disinfectants can be applied at or near the source, and that left alone the odor usually disappears in about a month.
- Close the way in. UGA says to seal openings into the attic and trim branches touching the roof so the next animal cannot follow the same route.
These steps are the extension-recommended approach. The exact work at your property depends on where the animal is and what it is, so tell us what you found when you call.
Safety first
Do not touch it bare-handed. CDC says never to approach animals that appear injured, sick or dead, and to call animal control for assistance when needed. If someone is bitten or scratched, CDC says to wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes and contact your health department.
- Keep children and pets away from the area.
- For a dead mouse or rat, UGA says to always use a dust mask and rubber or disposable gloves.
- Do not sweep or vacuum rodent droppings or nesting material near a carcass. CDC says it can put virus-containing droplets in the air. The Rat vs Mouse guide lists the CDC cleanup steps.
- If you are not sure what animal it is, do not move it. Call us and describe it.
Have this ready when you call
- Where the odor is strongest and how long you have noticed it.
- What you have seen or heard, and whether the noises have stopped.
- Whether poison or bait was used recently.
- Whether the attic, crawl space or garage can be reached.
- Whether children or pets are in the home.
- A photo of anything visible, if you can take one without touching it.
Serving Atlanta and Fulton County
Pest Control Atlanta serves Atlanta and surrounding areas, including every city in Fulton County; see Pest Control in Fulton County, GA. Call (404) 647-6677, tell us where the property is and what you found, and we will talk through your options. If the problem also involves rodents or other animals getting into the building, these pages explain related services:
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does a dead animal smell last?
WSU Extension says that if left untreated the odor of a dead rodent in a wall usually disappears on its own in about a month, and that baited rodents can begin to smell within a couple of days. Removal ends the source sooner than waiting.
Can I remove a dead animal myself?
For a dead mouse or rat you can reach, UGA says to use a dust mask and rubber or disposable gloves and to throw the carcass and gloves in the trash. For an animal you cannot identify, a wild animal, or one in a wall you cannot reach, CDC says not to approach it, so call for help.
Will the smell go away without removal?
Usually, in time. WSU says the odor will usually disappear on its own in about a month, which is a long time to live with it. Moving air and deodorizing do not remove the source.
Why did an animal die inside my wall?
UGA says poisoned rodents usually crawl into an inaccessible space in a wall or behind appliances, die and then smell awful.
Is a dead rodent dangerous to touch?
It can be. UGA advises gloves and a dust mask for handling mice and rats, and CDC says avoiding exposure to rodents and their urine and feces is the best way to prevent hantavirus infection.
How much does dead animal removal cost?
We do not publish prices. Cost depends on where the animal is and what the job involves, so call (404) 647-6677, describe the situation and ask for a quote.
Which animals do you remove?
We remove dead rodents, squirrels, possums, raccoons, birds, snakes and similar animals from anywhere on the property, as access allows. Bats and legally protected species are handled only as the law permits and only by appropriately qualified specialists. For any other animal, call and describe it and where it is.
Related services and guides
Smell in the walls, or a dead animal on your property?
Call Pest Control Atlanta and describe what you found and where. We will talk through what removal involves.
Call Pest Control Atlanta (404) 647-6677Licensed & Insured company. Serving Atlanta and surrounding areas. Available 24/7 for calls, bookings and on-site service.
