1. Walk the space
A cleanup technician checks the attic, crawl space and walls near the smell, looking for fluid stains and flies.
Central, Minneapolis, MN · Hennepin County
A strong sickly-sweet smell in your Central 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 animal decontamination is the final cleaning stage after a carcass is gone. It lowers germs on surfaces and helps remove the odor, using EPA-registered disinfectants and sealed disposal of waste.
People in Central and across Hennepin County call Central Biohazard Cleanup Help when an animal has died somewhere hard or unpleasant to reach. You get a cleanup team that explains each step and sorts what can be kept from what has to be discarded.
Many homes in Minneapolis, about 72%, were built before 1980. Older insulation and wood framing soak up fluids and hold odor for a long time. Most housing in Minneapolis is occupied, with a vacancy rate of about 8%, so a smell is usually noticed quickly, but wall voids and crawl spaces still hide carcasses.
A typical dead animal removal & cleanup job includes:
A cleanup technician checks the attic, crawl space and walls near the smell, looking for fluid stains and flies.
The animal is located and sealed in heavy bags, and insects and debris around it are collected.
Wood, concrete and drywall are washed and disinfected, and heavily stained porous materials are replaced.
Joists, subfloors and walls are disinfected and deodorized, and the crew lists any repairs for other trades.
Dead animal removal & cleanup in Central, Minneapolis, MN typically costs $150 to $250, depending on the size of the affected area and the materials involved.
Commercial, rental and vacant properties often need documented cleanup, which adds time but supports managers, buyers and landlords.
| 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.
The crew follows the odor, checks vents, attic access and crawl spaces, and looks for flies and stains. Sometimes a small camera or a small opening in drywall is needed. Once the animal is found, it is removed and the area is cleaned.
Eventually it fades, but that can take weeks, and fluids that soaked into insulation, carpet or wood keep releasing odor. Removing the animal and treating the area is much faster than waiting.
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.
You do not have to handle it alone. A cleanup team can remove the body with care, clean bedding and floors, and disinfect the area. It is done privately and gently, so the family is spared the hardest part.
No. Cleanup removes the carcass and odor but does not close entry points. A wildlife or pest professional can seal gaps. Removing odor does help, since scent can draw other animals to the same spot.
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.
See all biohazard cleanup services in Central, Minneapolis, MN →
Do not tear open walls. A cleanup team can find the source safely.
Call (877) 812-4220