Dead Animal Removal & Odor Control
MIDDLE TENNESSEE DEAD ANIMAL REMOVAL
A foul smell is usually the first indication that you need our dead animal removal services. That smell can draw insects and other scavengers, many of which are pests themselves. Common jobs involving a dead animal include the following:
- Removing a dead rat from within the walls.
- Removing a dead opossum from under the deck.
- Removing a dead squirrel from the attic.
- Removing a dead raccoon from a crawl space.
Removing a dead animal is not as straightforward as it sounds. A sick or wounded animal will generally crawl away to hide somewhere so it can die in peace. It will, therefore, often choose a place like your attic or under your house where it won’t be disturbed by predators. Removing a dead animal’s body consequently often involves going into tight, cramped and poorly-lit places like crawlspaces. Such places are also potentially hazardous.
It is, therefore, important to call a trained professional for deceased animal removal services.
Trapper Jack Wildlife Specialist serves greater Nashville, and our founder, Robert Messersmith, is an animal trapper with 20 years of experience. Robert also has a background in construction, so he knows the best ways of removing a dead animal and then repairing any resultant damage. All Star Animal Trapping makes a point of hiring similarly experienced professionals.
Why You Need Trapper Jack for Dead Animal Removal
We have the means of properly disposing of the animal and decontaminating your property. Simply leaving the dead animal where it is isn’t a realistic option. Not only does it look disgusting and give off a foul smell, it’s also a health hazard. Many animals are hosts to parasites like fleas and ticks that feed on the animal and can transmit disease.
Many such parasites can also feed on humans, so handling a carcass without taking the proper precautions puts you at risk of picking up those parasites and diseases. Similarly, a dead animal quickly becomes a haven for bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella that can cause diseases in humans. It also attracts scavengers like rats that can carry disease.
Finally, dealing with a dead animal can be emotionally upsetting, especially if it turns out to be a beloved pet. In the latter situation, our specialists know how to deal with the matter tactfully. We can help you contact a local pet cremation service to make the appropriate arrangements. Cremation is often necessary since many municipalities forbid the burial of an animal that has not been cremated. Burying an intact carcass runs the risk of any associated bacteria contaminating the water supply which is, again, a health hazard.
Why is there a dead animal
in your house?
If your house isn’t properly sealed, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes a refuge for several wild critters.
Through our experience in dead animal removal at All Star Animal Trapping, here are some of the most common reasons for having a dead animal underneath a house:
Use of Poisons
Many homeowners use poisons to deal with wildlife infestation problems. Once an animal consumes poison, the poison slowly damages its internal organs, while causing immense pain. In response, the animal looks for a secluded place to die. That place might be under your deck, patio or shed.
Old Age or Disease
Animals like possums, rabbits, raccoons, rats and mice sometimes take up residence in the crawlspace under your home. If one becomes sick and fails to recover, it will eventually die there. Similarly, an animal might die under your house once it gets too old.
Brought by Pets
Believe it or not, pets like dogs sometimes drag dead animals from other places under the house.
How To Remove a Dead Animal
Whatever the reason for having a dead animal under your house, here are steps you can take to get rid of it:
1. Wear protective gear
Before you go looking for any dead animal, make sure you stay protected with PPE – Personal Protective Equipment. (To understand more in the importance and use of PPE, here is detailed guidance from the US National Park Service.) Why? Because dead animals are breeding grounds for several diseases, and the last thing you want is to get infected.
Therefore, make sure to wear a rugged long-sleeved shirt and trousers. Then at the very least, put on a nose mask. Do not forget to wear disposable gloves to prevent direct contact with any bodily fluids of the carcass.
2. Follow the smell
Now comes the hard part. You see, the only way you can quickly pinpoint the spot is to get underneath your crawl space and follow the smell. Wherever the smell is most concentrated is most likely where the carcass is.
Many homeowners find this stage challenging. That’s why they’d rather employ the services of professionals like Trapper Jack Wildlife Specialist.
3. Dispose of the carcass
Once you’ve located the carcass, put it in a garbage bag. You should also use a shovel blade to scrape off maggots, feces, hair or loose fur and other waste material into the bag.
You should then dispose of the garbage properly. Note that the right disposal method is highly dependent on the type of animal. A dead rat can easily be disposed of with the trash, while a dead raccoon might need to be sent to the incinerator.
When in doubt, you can contact your local wildlife authority to find out the approved disposal method in your district.
4. Inspect your crawlspace
This helps to find if there are other animals stuck there. For instance, there might be orphaned babies if their mother is dead. You want to make sure you remove them too.
5. Disinfect and deodorize the entire crawlspace
Dead animals are breeding grounds for lots of diseases, including rabies, tularemia, leptospirosis and more. But through disinfection, all bacteria and viruses can be permanently eliminated.
Depending on the intensity of the noisome odor, you might need to apply a deodorizer to accelerate the dissipation of any lingering smells.
6. Seal entry holes
Any dead animal under your house must have gotten in through at least one entry hole. The goal here is to locate any and all potential entry holes and seal them up. This ensures that the problem doesn’t recur.
Removing a dead animal from under the house comes with lots of challenges, especially the risk of infection. That’s why it’s always prudent to involve a professional. Trapper Jack Wildlife Specialist can help find and remove dead animals from your house. But most importantly, we put measures in place to ensure the same problem doesn’t happen to you again.
