Question: I think I have a dead animal in one of my walls. Is it a mouse? How long will it take to decompose? What can I do about it?

ANSWER It could be a mouse. It will take about 2 weeks. It is usually difficult to remove them when they are inside a wall. A room deodorizer might help.

Additional information about getting rid of mice in the home.

Related Questions:
The Orkin Man used the information above to also answer the following questions submitted by Orkin.com users.

• Question: I think I have a dead mouse or rodent in the wall or ceiling or possibly in the heating duct work in the house? What should I do?
• Question: How to get rid of mice that are in the walls and how much does it cost?
• Question:A foul odour was noted in our storage room. I suspect a dead mouse. What do you suggest for removal of odours? I can”t locate the source. How long will the smell last?

  ANSWER: The odor will last about 10 days. There is no certain way that the dead mouse can be found, and there are no chemicals that will take the odor away. Mouse baits may be effective, but often the mouse dies behind the wall and there is a lingering odor for several weeks.