The smell from a dead animal can linger for days, weeks, or even months after its death. You can’t find it or get rid of the smell with chemicals, but you can get the body odor out of the surrounding area.
One easy solution to the smell is baking soda. It absorbs the odor, so you can spray it onto the area of the animal’s death to remove it.

If you hear the sound of a dead squirrel in your attic or wall, you can smell the body odor. In addition to the smell, you may notice the faint buzzing of flies or an odd stain on the walls. Regardless of where the smell comes from, you’ll want to check the room for any signs of the animal.
Once you find a dead squirrel, you can call a professional in dead animal removal to take it away while you deal with the dead animal odor, and practice rodent control after.
Dead Squirrel Odor
Generally, dead squirrels odor can linger for two weeks after death. It can take up to a week to completely decompose. If you notice the odor is still present after two weeks, you should call a professional.
However, this process can be expensive and it’s best to wait it out yourself before contacting the authorities. There’s no need to rush into making a decision.
Usually, the smell of a dead squirrel will last for a week or so. However, this time frame is not much for a deceased squirrel to decompose. In most cases, it takes a month or even longer.
This means that you may have to call a professional to remove the body, which can be expensive. To solve the problem, you may need to get rid of the body first.
Also Read: What Does A Ground Squirrel Eat?
Another common problem with dead squirrels is that the smell is not always immediate. It can take up to two weeks for the carcass to fully decompose. In addition to the smell, the dead animal can also leave behind a faint buzzing of flies.
The body may also leave an odd stain on the walls. Aside from the smell, a dead squirrel can also cause some problems.
The dead body can leave a foul smell. It can take up to two weeks for the carcass to decompose completely. The smell will remain for that time, so it is best to wait for the decomposition process to finish before getting a professional.
The smell will fade away in a few days. So, it is not too late to get rid of a dead squirrel.
After a dead squirrel has been buried, it will continue to release its foul odor for a few weeks. Depending on the species of the dead animal, the smell could persist for up to two weeks.
Some homeowners choose to have the dead body removed while others wait for the decomposition process to happen. If you want to get rid of a dead squirrel, make sure you clean the area thoroughly with odor neutralizer.
Final Thought
If you notice the scent of a dead squirrel in your home, you should consider getting a professional to remove the dead animal as soon as possible. But if you can’t afford to pay a professional, you can get an odor neutralizer, and pack the animal carcass in a plastic bag or wait for the decomposition process to begin.
It’s not uncommon for a dead squirrel to smell bad for at least two weeks after its death. A dead squirrel that has been buried for several months will continue to give off its foul smell for up to two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a dead squirrel smell for?
The smell of a dead squirrel may linger for up to two weeks after the animal has been taken away.
How long after a squirrel dies does it start to smell?
The odor is usually at its strongest three days once the animal starts decaying.
In which stage of decomposition is the odor the strongest?
The odor is at its strongest when the carcass is bloating because the additional openings provide even more surface area for insects and bacteria, thereby quickening the decaying process. This emitting of gasses and fluids is what causes the greatest amount of odor during the decaying process.
What are the 5 stages of decay?
There are five stages of human decomposition that are typically recognized: fresh, bloat, active decay, advanced decay, and dry/skeletonized
What type of insects would be present on a dead squirrel body after 3 days?
In general, a fresh corpse has many blow fly eggs and only a few small larvae. As bacteria and other microorganisms begin to grow in the moribund tissues they produce gas which fills the body cavities and causes the carcass to inflate
How long does active decay last?
Active decay lasts while most of the liquid leaves the body, creating a pool or soaking into the earth. The odor from decay remains very strong. This stage occurs anywhere from 10 to 25 days after death
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
Related Posts:
- How Do You Skin A Squirrel How Do You Skin A Squirrel? You've killed a bushy-tailed squirrel in the woods, and you're looking to prepare it for your family. The preparation is essential, as the meat is only as good as…
- What Does A Dead Squirrel Look Like What Does a Dead Squirrel Look Like? Have you ever noticed a dead squirrel? If so, you're not alone. Even though dead squirrels are a common sight, not all of us know what they look…
- What Does Squirrel Lice Look Like What Does Squirrel Lice Look Like? A squirrel flea is a small, wingless insect that feeds on the blood of squirrels. They are dark brown or black in color and have a hard, flattened body.…
- How Can I Get Rid Of A Squirrel In My Wall How Can I Get Rid of a Squirrel in My Wall? In an effort to prevent the squirrels from getting into your home, you can use repellent spray or moth balls to scare them away.…
- How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Baby Squirrel How to Get Rid of Fleas on Baby Squirrel In addition to fleas, baby squirrels may have other injuries, such as internal injuries, head or leg injuries, and respiratory issues. If you find any of…
- How to Tan a Squirrel Hide How to Tan a Squirrel Hide If you want to make a leather wallet or bag, you will need to know how to tan a squirrel hide. There are a few steps to this process,…
- How Did A Dead Squirrel Get In My Toilet How Did a Dead Squirrel Get in My Toilet? Celia Shiffer of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania recently discovered a dead squirrel in her toilet. The dead animal had climbed into the toilet piping from the roof vent.…
- How To Make A Homemade Squirrel Call There are many benefits of using a squirrel call, and these can be very effective at attracting squirrels. However, to make a good calling device, you need to be aware of the sounds that squirrels…
- How To Get A Squirrel Out Of My Attic If I Already Sealed… How to Get a Squirrel Out of My Attic If I Already Sewn the Hole A squirrel can remain in an attic for days, searching for another way in. When you finally find the right…
- What Foods Will Kill A Squirrel What Foods Will Kill a Squirrel? If you are worried about a squirrel snatching your dog's dinner, read this article first. Here, you will learn about what foods will kill a squirrel. Among the most…
- How Can I Get Rid Of A Squirrel In My Wall How Can I Get Rid of a Squirrel in My Wall? You may have heard that steel wool can prevent squirrels from entering your home, but this is only a temporary fix. Instead of steel…
- How Can I Get Rid Of A Squirrel In My Wall How Can I Get Rid of a Squirrel in My Wall? You may have heard that steel wool can prevent squirrels from entering your home, but this is only a temporary fix. Instead of steel…
- How Can I Get Rid Of A Squirrel In My Wall How Can I Get Rid of a Squirrel in My Wall? You may have heard that steel wool can prevent squirrels from entering your home, but this is only a temporary fix. Instead of steel…
- How Can I Get Rid Of A Squirrel In My Wall How Can I Get Rid of a Squirrel in My Wall? You may have heard that steel wool can prevent squirrels from entering your home, but this is only a temporary fix. Instead of steel…
- How Can I Get Rid Of A Squirrel In My Wall How Can I Get Rid of a Squirrel in My Wall? You may have heard that steel wool can prevent squirrels from entering your home, but this is only a temporary fix. Instead of steel…
- How Can I Get Rid Of A Squirrel In My Wall How Can I Get Rid of a Squirrel in My Wall? You may have heard that steel wool can prevent squirrels from entering your home, but this is only a temporary fix. Instead of steel…
- How Can I Get Rid Of A Squirrel In My Wall How Can I Get Rid of a Squirrel in My Wall? You may have heard that steel wool can prevent squirrels from entering your home, but this is only a temporary fix. Instead of steel…
- How To Nurse A Squirrel Back To Health If you have a baby squirrel, you might be wondering how to nurse it back to health. First of all, you should never attempt to take care of a squirrel as a pet. These animals…
- How To Find Dead Squirrel In Attic How to Find Dead Squirrel in Attic If you have a dead squirrel in your attic, you may be wondering how to remove it, clean it up, and detect the pheromones it left behind. While…
- How Long To Boil A Squirrel How Long To Boil A Squirrel? While most of us don't think about cooking a squirrel, it's actually a very popular game dish in Europe. Its taste resembles duck and it will surprise your guests.…
- How To Put A Squirrel Out Of Its Misery How To Put A Squirrel Out Of Its Misery You can kill a squirrel by shooting it in the head, but make sure that your surroundings are safe. Remember that a bullet can pass…
- How Do You Get Rid Of A Dead Squirrel How Do You Get Rid of a Dead Squirrel? How do you get rid of a dead squirrel? First, prepare yourself with gloves and plastic bags to dispose of the dead animal. Wash the area…
- How To Get A Squirrel Out Of A Fireplace How to Get a Squirrel Out of a Fireplace In the event that you are faced with an infestation of squirrels, you will need to learn how to get a squirrel out of smoldering embers…
- How To Get A Squirrel Out Of A Fireplace How to Get a Squirrel Out of a Fireplace In the event that you are faced with an infestation of squirrels, you will need to learn how to get a squirrel out of smoldering embers…
- How To Get A Squirrel Out Of A Fireplace How to Get a Squirrel Out of a Fireplace In the event that you are faced with an infestation of squirrels, you will need to learn how to get a squirrel out of smoldering embers…