Silver Bullet Pest ControlDead Animal Smell After the Hole Was Sealed
Straight answers from Silver Bullet Pest Control, a licensed exterminator based in Garfield, NJ, serving Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. Call or text 973-510-2585. Hablamos español.
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Quick answer: an animal was likely sealed in
A strong, sweet-rotten smell that starts a few days to a couple of weeks after a hole was sealed usually means an animal was trapped inside and died, most often a squirrel, a bird or a rodent in the attic, a wall or a ceiling. Air fresheners won't fix it, and depending on the size of the animal, the smell can last for weeks. The animal has to be found and removed, the area cleaned, and the house checked for any others still inside. Call Silver Bullet Pest Control at 973-510-2585.
Why the smell started after the repair
When an outside hole is sealed with an animal inside, the animal may chew a way out, or it may not. Young animals, sick animals and animals that fall into a wall cavity often can't get out and die inside. The smell usually shows up a few days later and is strongest in warm weather. See roofer sealed the squirrel in the attic for how this happens.
Signs it's a dead animal
- A strong rotten smell in one room or near one wall or ceiling
- The smell is worse on warm days or when the heat is on
- Flies, often big ones, showing up indoors near windows or a light
- A stain on the ceiling or wall
- Scratching noises that stopped a few days before the smell started
What we see on these jobs
The three situations behind most of these calls in North Jersey:
Squirrels in the Attic or Walls
- Running and scratching in the morning and evening
- Chewed fascia, soffits or vents
- Nesting material in the attic
We get squirrels out with one-way doors and seal the roofline so they can't chew back in. Exclusion, not relocation.
Raccoons in the Attic or Chimney
- Heavy thumping at night
- Torn vents, shingles or soffits
- Droppings and a strong smell
Raccoons tear their way in and do real damage. We remove them from the house and close the opening with heavy-duty materials.
Chipmunks, Skunks & Other Wildlife
- Burrows along walkways and foundations
- Animals under porches and sheds
- Digging in the yard and garden
Ground animals cause foundation and yard problems. We find where they live and block access so they move on.
How we find it
We trace the smell, the flies and the layout of the house to the likely spot, check the attic, and open the smallest area needed. After removal, the area is cleaned and deodorized. Then we check the roofline: if one animal was sealed in, others may still be inside, and the entry has to be closed properly once the attic is empty. More on our dead animal removal service.
How long will the smell last?
| Animal | What to expect if it's left |
|---|---|
| Mouse | Usually days to a couple of weeks |
| Rat or bird | Often a couple of weeks or more |
| Squirrel | Several weeks, stronger in summer |
| Raccoon | Weeks, and the smell can soak into insulation and wood |
These are rough ranges and depend on temperature, airflow and where the animal is. Removing it is the only real fix.
Insulation and cleanup
If the animal was in the attic, the insulation around it is usually soiled and holds the smell. Sometimes that section has to be replaced. See attic insulation replacement.
Simple ways to prevent it
Trim branches
Keep tree limbs about 6 to 8 feet from the roof so squirrels can't jump on.
Lock the trash
Use cans with tight lids and bungee cords. Raccoons learn trash night fast.
Cap the chimney
A sturdy chimney cap keeps out raccoons, squirrels and birds.
Check the roofline
Look for chewed soffit corners, loose vents and gaps at roof returns each spring and fall.
How Silver Bullet handles it
Call or text a photo
Tell us what you're seeing and where. A photo often lets us identify the pest right away. We answer 24/7 for emergencies.
Inspection
A licensed tech finds the source: where the pest lives, how it gets in and what draws it.
Treatment or removal
We use the right method for the pest, placed where it works and kept away from kids and pets.
Seal and prevent
We close entry points and tell you what to change so the problem doesn't come back.
Related services
Get Help From a Licensed Exterminator
Call or text 973-510-2585 for the fastest answer, or tell us what's going on and we'll get back to you quickly.
Calls we get every week
- Scratching or thumping in the attic
- A squirrel or raccoon inside the house
- A raccoon in the chimney
- Chewed soffits, vents or gutters
- Animals under a porch, deck or shed
Request Service
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my house smell after the roofer fixed a hole?
Most likely an animal was sealed inside and died in the attic, a wall or a ceiling.
How long does a dead squirrel smell last?
Often several weeks, and longer in warm weather. Removing it is the only real fix.
Can I just wait for the smell to go away?
You can, but it can take weeks and may attract flies. Removal and cleanup end it much sooner.
Do you remove dead animals from walls?
Yes. We find the animal, open the smallest area needed, remove it and deodorize.
Is the smell dangerous?
It's unpleasant more than dangerous, but a dead animal brings flies, and droppings and soiled insulation should be cleaned up properly.
Why are there big flies in my house?
A sudden swarm of large flies indoors often means a dead animal in a wall or attic.
Could there be more animals inside?
Yes. If one animal was sealed in, others may be too. We check the attic and roofline.
Are squirrels and raccoons dangerous to have in the attic?
They chew wiring, tear insulation and leave droppings and urine. Raccoons can carry rabies and roundworm, so their droppings need careful cleanup.
Can squirrels chew electrical wires?
Yes. Squirrels gnaw constantly, and chewed wiring in an attic is a real fire risk, which is one reason to act quickly.
How do I get help?
Call or text 973-510-2585.
Serving North Jersey
Based in Garfield, we serve these towns and the rest of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Our service area
Bergen County
973-510-2585- Allendale
- Bergenfield
- Bogota
- Carlstadt
- Cliffside Park
- Closter
- Cresskill
- Demarest
- Dumont
- East Rutherford
- Edgewater
- Elmwood Park
- Emerson
- Englewood
- Englewood Cliffs
- Fair Lawn
- Fairview
- Fort Lee
- Franklin Lakes
- Garfield
- Glen Rock
- Hackensack
- Harrington Park
- Hasbrouck Heights
- Haworth
- Hillsdale
- Ho-Ho-Kus
- Leonia
- Little Ferry
- Lodi
- Lyndhurst
- Mahwah
- Maywood
- Midland Park
- Montvale
- Moonachie
- New Milford
- North Arlington
- Northvale
- Norwood
- Oakland
- Old Tappan
- Oradell
- Palisades Park
- Paramus
- Park Ridge
- Ramsey
- Ridgefield
- Ridgefield Park
- Ridgewood
- River Edge
- River Vale
- Rochelle Park
- Rutherford
- Saddle Brook
- Saddle River
- South Hackensack
- Teaneck
- Tenafly
- Teterboro
- Upper Saddle River
- Waldwick
- Wallington
- Washington Township
- Westwood
- Woodcliff Lake
- Wood-Ridge
- Wyckoff
Passaic County
973-510-2585- Bloomingdale
- Clifton
- Haledon
- Hawthorne
- Little Falls
- North Haledon
- Passaic
- Paterson
- Pompton Lakes
- Prospect Park
- Ringwood
- Totowa
- Wanaque
- Wayne
- West Milford
- Woodland Park
Essex County
973-510-2585- Belleville
- Bloomfield
- Caldwell
- Cedar Grove
- East Orange
- Essex Fells
- Fairfield
- Glen Ridge
- Irvington
- Livingston
- Maplewood
- Millburn
- Montclair
- Newark
- North Caldwell
- Nutley
- Orange
- Roseland
- Short Hills
- South Orange
- Verona
- West Caldwell
- West Orange
Hudson County
973-510-2585Union County
973-510-2585- Berkeley Heights
- Clark
- Cranford
- Elizabeth
- Fanwood
- Garwood
- Hillside
- Kenilworth
- Linden
- Mountainside
- New Providence
- Plainfield
- Rahway
- Roselle
- Roselle Park
- Scotch Plains
- Springfield
- Summit
- Union
- Westfield
Morris County
973-510-2585- Boonton
- Butler
- Cedar Knolls
- Chatham
- Denville
- Dover
- East Hanover
- Florham Park
- Hanover
- Kinnelon
- Lincoln Park
- Madison
- Mendham
- Montville
- Morris Plains
- Morristown
- Mountain Lakes
- Parsippany
- Pequannock
- Randolph
- Riverdale
- Rockaway
- Roxbury
- Whippany
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B