Most homes deal with mice from time to time, but when a mouse dies in or around your home, it’s important to act quickly. For such small creatures, dead mice can emit a truly foul smell. And if you have trouble locating where the dead mouse is, it can be even more difficult to cleanse your home from the rancid odor.

Learn how to get rid of the dead mouse smell quickly and what you can do to avoid this issue in the future. 

What Do Dead Mice Smell Like

The smell of a dead mouse is pretty unforgettable if you’ve smelled it before because it’s quite pungent. It’s a rancid, decaying smell that is sometimes compared to rotten cabbage. 

The best way to identify where the smell is coming from is to follow your nose to where the smell is most potent. If you’re able to find the dead mouse, you’re in luck. This makes getting rid of the smell much easier.

If you’re unable to find the mouse but have located the spot where the smell is the strongest, the mouse is likely dead within the walls of your home. 

How to Get Rid of Dead Mouse Smell

Unfortunately, mice can sometimes die within the walls of your home. This makes eliminating the foul dead mouse smell a little trickier (and more unpleasant).  

There are a variety of home remedies and products you can try to eliminate the dead mouse smell or at least mask it: 

• Ventilate your space: Your best first line of defense is to create more airflow in the space where the smell is particularly awful. Keep doors and windows open, and run a fan near the area to bring in more fresh air.
• Active charcoal packets: These small packets can work wonders at removing odors. Place a few packets around the area where the smell is the strongest. 
• Dead animal odor removers: Believe it or not, there are products specifically designed to remove the dead, decaying smell from your home. Follow the product’s instructions to get rid of the dead mouse smell in your home.
• Essential oils, candles, sprays: These products won’t get rid of the smell, but may be able to mask it with a more pleasant fragrance.
• Dry coffee grounds: Coffee grounds absorb odors well and emit a pleasant coffee aroma. Place grounds in small bowls near the smelly area to do its magic.
• Air purifiers: This is a more costly solution compared to the others, but can be pretty effective at eliminating odors and removing pollutants from your home’s air. 
• Homemade solutions:Baking soda and white distilled vinegar are natural deodorizers. Create a homemade spray solution of 50/50 water and vinegar or combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 cups of water. Use the spray near the stinky area to reduce the smell. 

How Long Does Dead Mouse Smell Typically Last?

If you think the dead mouse is inside your walls and are wondering how long the smell will last, rest assured the stink is temporary. A dead rodent will typically smell for a week and can last for up to a couple of weeks. 

How long the smell lasts depends on a few factors, such as how warm and humid your home is, as well as the size of the mouse. To lessen the smell, try running your air conditioner more frequently to decrease the temperature and humidity within your home.   

How to Prevent Dead Mouse Smell

Once you’ve smelled the odor of a dead mouse, you probably want to know how you can avoid it from happening again. While you can prevent it entirely, there are a few steps you can take to help the situation. 

First, always place mouse traps in visible places so you can quickly see if a mouse has been trapped and remove it from your home. Second, avoid using mouse poison. Mice often will ingest the poison only to later die while traveling in your walls. Opt for traps or non-toxic repellents to keep mice away.  

Third, work with a pest control company to install structures that will prevent mice from entering your home. Pest experts will inspect your home’s exterior to find entry points and seal them up with metal mesh to keep mice and other critters out.

How to Get Rid of a Dead Mouse

If you’re able to remove the mouse, start by opening doors and windows near the area. Then, put on rubber gloves and a medical face mask. 

Spray disinfectant on the mouse and place it into a trash bag. Tie the trash bag and place it in an outdoor dumpster that’s emptied regularly. Then return to the area to spray with disinfectant again and wipe down the area with paper towels.