The sight—or smell—of a dead animal in your home is deeply unpleasant. Not only is it disturbing, but it can also pose risks to your family’s health. If you discover or suspect that you have a dead animal in your home, you might feel uncertain about how to handle the situation. Before you act, it’s important to know the right steps to take to protect yourself and your family. Read on to learn what to do about a dead animal in your home.
Don’t Touch
If you find a dead animal in your home, resist the urge to handle it yourself. The most important thing to do is to stay away from it. Avoid touching it, moving it or attempting to clean the area around it, as decomposing animals can expose you to dangerous bacteria and parasites. Fluids from a carcass can contaminate nearby areas, and improper handling can spread pathogens. Removing a dead animal requires specialized tools and strict cleaning protocols to ensure safety and proper sanitation. Never attempt to remove a dead animal from your home or yard on your own—always contact a professional wildlife removal team.
Try to Find the General Location
Sometimes, you might not see the dead animal, but chances are you’ll smell it. If you’re unsure exactly where the carcass is, try to identify the general location based on the smell or other signs, like flies, ants or beetles congregating in the area. You may also notice fluids staining walls or ceilings. This is also a good time to think back and see if you can remember any unusual sounds, like rustling, scratching or thumping, that could indicate where the animal is trapped. Common places animals get stuck include attics, crawl spaces and wall voids. Identifying the general location will help lead the professionals in the right direction when they arrive and help you keep your family safe.
Keep Children and Pets Away
Once you’ve pinpointed the likely location of the dead animal, take steps to protect your family. Make sure children and pets stay away from the carcass and the contaminated area to prevent exposure to health risks. If possible, block off the area by closing doors or using barriers to keep children and pets from entering. If you’re unsure where the dead animal is, use the smell and other signs as your guide, and avoid that part of your home until the professionals arrive.
Ventilate the Area
One of the most difficult aspects of having a dead animal in your home is the lingering odor. Not only is the smell extremely unpleasant, but it’s also possible for airborne pathogens to be present. If you can do so safely and without getting too close, try to ventilate the area by opening windows and using fans and vents. This helps circulate the air, reduce the odor and limit airborne pathogens.
Monitor for Signs of Other Wildlife
A dead animal in your home or yard could indicate a larger wildlife issue on your property. It’s wise to stay alert for other signs of trouble, including droppings, scratching sounds and nesting material. If you notice additional signs of pest or wildlife activity, you could be dealing with an infestation. It’s important to notify your pest control team when this happens so they can help you properly address the issue.
Contact the Professionals
The most important step to take when you discover or suspect a dead animal on your property is to contact the professionals. It’s never safe to attempt to remove a dead animal from your home by yourself. Professional wildlife removal teams have the expertise, equipment and techniques needed to safely and effectively remove dead animals. They also have the tools and cleaning supplies to properly disinfect and deodorize the area afterward. Once the dead animal is addressed and safely removed, they will implement targeted solutions to prevent future wildlife invasions.
Make Sure There are No Entry Points
Once the dead animal is removed and the area is cleaned, take steps to prevent future issues. While professional wildlife removal teams will help you with exclusion techniques, it’s important to be aware of potential entry points. Regularly inspect your home for cracks or gaps where animals could enter and seal them up with caulk, mesh or weatherstripping. Staying vigilant and regularly closing off entry points will help you keep your home free of unwanted wildlife.
The Palm Beach wildlife removal experts at Nextgen Pest Solutions offer dead animal removal services. With same-day availability, we’re committed to keeping your family and your home safe. Using advanced detection tools and industry-leading methods, our team swiftly locates and removes dead animals, thoroughly disinfects affected areas and eliminates lingering odors. Our full-service removal also includes expert recommendations and exclusion solutions to protect your home against future invasions. If you need help with a dead animal, don’t wait—call us today at (561) 228-4853.
