Quick Answers
Discovering a dead rat in your wall can be an unsettling experience. Here are some quick answers to common questions:
– The decaying rat will cause an unpleasant odor in your home. This occurs as gases and fluids leak from the rat’s decomposing body.
– Left untreated, the odor can persist for weeks or longer. It may spread throughout the house via connected walls and ductwork.
– Bacteria, viruses and parasites from the rat can also spread through the air or infest your home. These can cause health issues if inhaled or contacted.
– To fully remove the rat and eliminate odors and contamination risks, the section of wall containing the rat must be opened. The dead rat should be removed and the area disinfected and sealed again.
– If the rat died due to rat poison or other toxins, extra precautions must be taken during removal and cleanup. Professional assistance may be required.
– Ignoring the issue risks worsening smells, stains, structural damage and potential health hazards from decay and pathogens. Quick action is recommended.
How Do You Know a Rat Died in Your Wall?
You may suspect a rat has died in your walls if you notice any of the following signs:
Bad Smells
The most obvious indicator is an unpleasant odor coming from within your home’s walls. As a rat’s body decomposes, it releases gases and fluids that produce a potent, rotten smell. This odor can range from a faint, intermittent whiff to a pervasive stench.
The putrid smell often gets worse over time as more tissues break down. It may come and go as gases build up and then get released. The stench tends to be most noticeable near vents, outlets, baseboards or other openings in the wall harborign the dead rat.
Strange Noises
Sounds coming from inside your walls can also signal a dead rat. You may hear buzzing or scratching noises as flies, maggots and other insects feast on the decaying rodent.
Later in the process, you could hear squeaking or rustling as maggots writhe en masse inside the carcass. Bones cracking or shifting as the body desiccates can also cause odd noises.
Stains or Liquid
Discolored spots that form on your walls or baseboards can indicate leakage from a decomposing rat. These may appear as dark, wet-looking stains that gradually spread.
An especially rotten smell often accompanies such leakage. Yellowish or brownish fluids may also drip from openings in the wall materials. These result when gases and internal pressure force liquefied tissues out of the rat’s remains.
Droppings or Other Signs
You may find obvious signs pointing to a hidden dead rat like rat droppings, grease marks, or gnaw marks near holes or cracks. Previous evidence of a rat infestation can help confirm your suspicions.
Noticing a sudden lack of usual rat noises, like scrabbling within walls, can also suggest a rat died in an inaccessible spot. The disappearance of a known rat problem often coincides with the onset of bad smells.
Dangers and Health Risks
A decomposing rat in your wall comes with several potential health hazards:
Bacteria
Rotting flesh supports the explosive growth of many harmful bacteria. These include E. coli, Salmonella, Clostridium difficile, Leptospira and others. Inhaling airborne bacteria or contacting contaminated surfaces can cause illness.
Viruses
Rats can carry and transmit dangerous viruses like Hantavirus, hepatitis E, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, rotavirus and more. Decaying rats can aerosolize viruses into the air where they can be breathed in.
Parasites
Microscopic parasites including tapeworms, flukes, giardia and cryptosporidium can spread from dead rats. Larvae moving out of the carcass to pupate can also infest homes. Bites from mites, fleas, lice and other parasites can transmit disease.
Toxins
If the rat died from poison or toxic chemicals, hazardous compounds may leak from its body. These can potentially contaminate surfaces and surround materials. Toxins like rodenticides require special cleanup methods.
Allergies
Particles of rat hair, saliva, urine and feces can sift into the air from a rotting rat carcass. These can aggravate allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals, causing wheezing, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and difficulty breathing.
Nausea
The powerful stench from a decaying rat can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting if inhaled for prolonged periods. Methane and other noxious gases emitted can directly irritate the eyes and nose.
Dangers to Your Home
Beyond health risks, a dead and decomposing rat inside your wall also threatens your property in several ways:
Structural Damage
Fluids leaking from the rat can soak and weaken wall materials, attracting mold and bacteria. Stains and odors can be difficult or impossible to fully remove. Maggots chewing through the carcass can also damage interior wall components.
Short Circuits
Rat fluids that reach electrical wiring inside walls can short circuits, spark fires and create electrocution hazards. This occurs if liquefied tissues leak down into light switches, outlets or other power sources.
Contamination
Decaying rats can introduce bacteria, viruses, parasites and toxins into your wall spaces. These can later infiltrate living areas through vents, wiring holes, baseboards and other access points. Difficult-to-eradicate odors may also persist.
Infestations
Maggots feeding on the dead rat can metamorphose into flies that infest your home. Fleas and mites can also spread from the carcass into the building. Raccoons, opossums or other scavengers may breach the walls to scavenge the body.
How to Remove a Dead Rat From a Wall
Removing a dead and decaying rat from inside your home’s walls requires the following steps:
Locate the Rat
Use your nose and ears to sniff out and listen for the strongest odors or noises coming from the wall. Knocking on surfaces can also help pinpoint the location based on areas that sound hollow. Focus on areas around known holes, vents or damage.
Open the Wall
Cut an access hole with a drywall saw, then use a hammer and pry bar to open up the wall cavity containing the dead rat. Try to work at least two feet above and sideways from the suspected location to allow proper access. Opening below may allow liquids to drain out.
Remove the Rat
Once accessible, use tongs and a thick plastic bag inverted over your hand to grab and contain the rotting rat. A mask, gloves and coveralls are also recommended to avoid touching fluids or inhaling particles. Dispose of the dead rat in a sealed plastic bag.
Clean and Disinfect
Thoroughly clean the exposed area with disinfectant or bleach solution. Soak up any leaked fluids with rags or paper towels. Remove any contaminated insulation or materials. Let the area dry fully before sealing. Add baking soda or charcoal to help absorb lingering odors.
Seal the Wall
Install new insulation and wall materials over the cleaned cavity. Securely seal any openings with steel wool, cement or other pest-proof fillers. Paint or wallpaper the patched section to match the surrounding area.
Improve Pest Prevention
Make additional efforts to exclude rats through sealing exterior holes, clearing vegetation and keeping food contained. Traps or low-toxicity bait can also help control any remaining rats and prevent reinfestation. Monitor for odors or additional activity.
When to Call a Professional
In some cases, you may need to hire professional pest control or remediation experts to safely handle a dead rat in your walls:
– If the rat carcass is in a hard-to-reach area like inside ducts, ceiling voids or crawlspaces
– If there is extensive leakage or contamination beyond just the rat itself
– If the rat appears to have died from poison or toxic chemicals
– If the stench and damage is severe or persists despite your cleanup attempts
– If you are unable or unwilling to perform the removal and required wall repairs yourself
Professionals have specialized tools, protective gear and disinfecting chemicals to fully clean, decontaminate and deodorize affected areas. They can also completely seal access points to prevent future pest entry.
Preventing Rats in Walls
To avoid the risks and hassle of dealing with a dead rat, focus on rat-proofing your home:
– Seal all possible entry points into your home using steel wool, caulk, concrete or other permanent fillers
– Keep attics, basements and storage areas clean and clutter-free to eliminate nesting sites
– Store all food, including pet food, in sealed metal or plastic containers
– Fix leaky faucets and pipes to avoid attracting rats looking for water
– Clear brush, debris and garbage around your property that could harbor rats
– Have a professional pest control expert evaluate your home for vulnerabilities and install preventive measures like traps or exterior bait stations
With diligence, you can help block rats from ever accessing your walls in the first place. This will maintain a healthier and more pleasant home environment.
Conclusion
Discovering a dead rat in your wall can be distressing. The decomposing body will create an offensive odor and poses contamination risks if left unattended. Extracting the rat carcass and properly cleaning and sealing the area is critical to erase all traces. With quick action, you can eliminate both the rat itself and the chances of future unpleasant surprises. Being proactive about sealing pest entry points provides lasting peace of mind.