We came back from vacation and noticed that our office room smells bad. Like a dead animal smell. It's been about 9 days since we have been back and it still smells. Could it be a dead rat in one of the walls?
How long would it take for a dead rat to decay and for the smell to go away?
2007-01-03 11:34:07 · 10 answers · asked by BMD 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
It takes a few months. May be worth opening up the wall and finding it.
2007-01-03 11:36:52 · answer #1 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'Rotting rodent' smells like raw steak that's been in the fridge for a few days too long, only greasier.
At my workplace, we had the same situation with a mouse. It took about two to three weeks for the smell to fade away (this was during a dry summer). I don't think a rat would take much longer even though it does have more body mass, as the entire body is going through the decay process at once rather than 'decaying from the outside in'.
To speed up the process, keep the room warm and dry and well-ventilated. Use NilOdor or another spray that kills the bacterial source of the odour rather than covering it up with flowery chemical stench.
Getting a professional to open your walls would be a large, messy, and expensive solution to a small problem. Even if you know the exact location of the rat (which is doubtful), you might not want the dirt, mould spores, and insulation dust that's between your walls to be released into your breathing air.
2007-01-03 12:59:37 · answer #2 · answered by impracticalshoes 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You've got to get the rat out or it will smell until it is dried. If you have a good idea of where it is you can cut a hole with a utility knife. Don't just smash a hole in the wall. Carefully and cleanly cut a rectangular hole so the patch can be done easily. Save the piece you cut out. Remove the rat carcass and spray with disinfectant/deodorizer. Let the area air out over night. Patch by gluing a board across the opening on the inside of the wall. Secure the board with some drywall screws from the front. Screw the patch piece to the board. Fix the cracks with spackle and tape. Solve the rat problem.
2016-05-23 00:06:58 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could take a very long time for the animal to decay and the smell to go away.
2007-01-03 11:41:33 · answer #4 · answered by livo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a squirell in the walls (when renovating a old house we found several) or possibly a snake, maybe it isnt coming from the walls possibly just a neighboring smell. If I were you I would seek advice from a professional
2007-01-03 11:47:31 · answer #5 · answered by Uh..I dont know 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may take a while.This is why I tell people to never use rat poison. You can never tell where the rats will die! The best thing that I can tell you to do is to get concentrated pine scent (you may be able to find it at a Do-It-Yourself pest control company) and sprinkle it around the room. That is what most professionals use. Good luck!
2007-01-03 11:43:40 · answer #6 · answered by get_r_ded 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, this sounds familiar. And by Christ, those little bodies can stink!
Try and find it if you can - if not, you'll just have to sit it out with the aid of air fresheners and those odour-absorber things.
If you *do* find it, be prepared for a wave of nasty to hit your nostrils as you disturb it. Seriously, it'll make you want to lose your lunch!
Also, rats are pack animals - get some poison/traps out to get the rest of the little blighters!
2007-01-04 10:41:26 · answer #7 · answered by InitialDave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well as a professional for advices, im not sure which but check in the yellow book for which can help
good luck
2007-01-03 11:41:38 · answer #8 · answered by raz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could take a loooooooonnnnnnngggggg time.
2007-01-03 11:36:03 · answer #9 · answered by MT C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on how big is that animals
2007-01-03 11:53:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋