1. Find the source
The crew follows the odor, checks vents, attic access and crawl spaces, and opens a small section only when needed.
Houston, AK · Matanuska-Susitna Borough
A strong sickly-sweet smell in your Houston house could mean an animal died in the walls. Call (877) 812-4220 to get dead animal cleanup, removal of soaked insulation and sanitizing.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Dead rodent cleanup covers the removal of a dead mouse or rat, the nest and the droppings around it, and sanitizing of the area. It is often paired with pest control, which deals with live animals.
If a dead animal is on your property in Houston or elsewhere in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, call Houston Biohazard Cleanup Help for removal and cleanup at your home, rental or business. Your cleanup team works in gloves, respirators and protective gear and follows workplace safety rules for contaminated materials.
About 26% of housing in Houston is vacant, and empty homes, sheds and outbuildings are common places for animals to die unnoticed. Summers in Houston are milder, with July highs around 71 degrees, but a dead animal inside a closed wall or attic still breaks down and smells within a few days.
A typical dead animal removal & cleanup job includes:
The crew follows the odor, checks vents, attic access and crawl spaces, and opens a small section only when needed.
The work zone is sealed off, and the animal is removed with care for the family, especially when it is a pet.
Bedding, flooring and other surfaces that absorbed fluids are cleaned or removed, and waste is bagged for disposal.
Surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, odor is treated at its source, and the crew checks the finished area.
Dead animal removal & cleanup in Houston, AK typically costs $150 to $250, depending on the size of the affected area and the materials involved.
The size of the animal matters. Small rodents are simpler to handle, while larger animals can leave far more fluid and require more labor.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
Estimates only, not a quote. Sources: Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor. Price drivers include where the animal is, whether walls must be opened, size of the animal, odor and cleanup afterward. Call (877) 812-4220 to talk through the job.
It can be. Fluids can carry germs, and pests such as flies and fleas spread through the home. Do not touch it bare-handed, keep children and pets away and wash your hands well. People with asthma or sensitive lungs should stay out of the area.
It depends on the lease and local law. Tenants should tell the landlord or property manager right away. A landlord, an attorney or a tenant rights group can say who is responsible.
Hard surfaces, wood framing and items in sealed containers can usually be cleaned and kept. Insulation, carpet, padding and drywall that soaked up fluids are generally removed. The crew sorts items with you before anything is thrown out.
Open windows where it is safe, keep children and pets away, and try to note where the smell is strongest. Do not tear open walls. Call Houston Biohazard Cleanup Help at (877) 812-4220 to talk through the safest next step.
It is not a good idea. The odor can last for weeks, flies and other pests may follow, and fluids can stain drywall and insulation. Removal and cleanup are safer and faster than waiting.
The smell comes from the carcass and any fluids, so the animal has to be found and removed. Air fresheners only cover it. After removal, the area is cleaned and treated, which usually clears the smell.
Call (877) 812-4220 any hour and describe the smell and where it is strongest.
Call (877) 812-4220