How to Safely Remove a Dead Mouse

Identifying Dead Mice

Once inside homes, mice can die for many reasons, including natural causes or electrocution from chewing on wires. Homeowners might find a dead mouse in the basement or in the kitchen behind refrigerators or inside cabinets. Dead mice in walls are also common. When the pests die inside walls, it can be hard to find them. A dead mouse smells foul, and the odor of decay is the first and most obvious sign of a dead animal, but it won’t help homeowners pinpoint the exact location of the body. Large numbers of blow flies can also signal the presence of a dead mouse.

Problems Caused

Unpleasant smells are only one facet of the problem when it comes to having a dead mouse in the walls. Their bodies and feces can harbor diseases like tularemia, Hantavirus, and leptospirosis. Additionally, they attract other animals that can be dangerous to humans. For example, carrion-scavenging pests, such as snakes, raccoons, skunks, and opossums, will be attracted to the carcass. Likewise, vectors of disease, such as ticks, mites, maggots, and flies, will seek out the bodies of dead mice.

How to Get Rid of Dead Mice

Since getting close to and touching dead mice comes with such a high health risk, homeowners should not attempt to remove animal carcasses themselves. Instead, it’s best to request the services of a professional. When it comes to having a dead mouse in the wall or another hard-to-reach location, the specialists at Critter Control know how to handle removal without damaging the home.

Learn more about mouse removal.