How to Get Rid of Dead Rat Smell Naturally? [7 Effective Ways]

When a mouse or rat dies, they decompose quickly, leading to a foul smell. The foul smell is mainly a combination of different gasses such as sulfur dioxide and methane.

Even if you discard the dead mice, the pungent smell can linger on for days. Not only is the smell unpleasant, but it can also attract flies and other insects towards it.

So, it is essential to get rid of the dead mouse smell. You can easily get rid of the foul smell using various natural methods; some of which are listed below. 

How To Get Rid of Dead Mouse Smell Naturally?

1. Bleach 

Bleach to Get Rid of Dead Mouse Smell

Bleach is commonly used for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces as it breaks down any organic matter it comes in contact with.

While bleach is a strong chemical, it evaporates completely within a few days and leaves no residue, making it perfect for cleaning up a dead mouse smell.

When you use this method, the smell of the dead mouse will go away within a few hours. 

Required Items 

  • Bleach
  • Water 
  • Spray bottle 
  • Paper towels 

Step by Step Process 

  • In a spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of bleach with 1 cup of water. 
  • Find the dead mouse and discard the carcass after putting it in a ziplock bag. 
  • Spray the mixture directly on the area where you found the dead mouse. Clean away any residue using paper towels.
  • Spray more bleach in the area and allow it to evaporate over time. The smell will be gone after a few hours. 

Precautions 

Do not use this method on wooden floors or carpets, as the bleach can discolor the area. 

2. Vinegar 

Vinegar to remove dead rat smell

Vinegar is a weak acid that is commonly used for cleaning. It works very well for getting rid of the dead mouse smell.

The vinegar breaks down any organic matter and bacteria, which helps remove the stink. Moreover, the strong smell of vinegar masks the dead mouse smell. 

Required Items 

  • Vinegar
  • Water 
  • Spray bottle 
  • Paper towels 

Step by Step Process 

  • Make a 50:50 mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and shake it well. 
  • Spray the vinegar mixture on the smelly area. Use paper towels to remove the residue. Discard the paper towels outside along with the dead mouse. 
  • Spray the vinegar mixture around the area again. The area may smell like vinegar. 
  • The foul smell will be gone within a few hours. 

Precautions 

Vinegar has a strong smell, so the area will smell of vinegar for at least a few days. Airing out the space can help remove the vinegar smell. 

3. Charcoal 

Charcoal to remove dead rodent smell

Activated charcoal is made by burning organic matter at a high temperature. The resulting charcoal is capable of absorbing bad smells from its surroundings.

When you put activated charcoal around the smelly area, it will adsorb the bad smell and remove it completely within only a few hours. 

Required Items 

Step by Step Process 

  • Start by identifying the source of the stench. Once you have located the dead mouse, you should discard it outside. 
  • Put ½ cup of activated charcoal granules inside a mesh or cotton pouch. Put the mesh bag near the affected area.  
  • You can put a few more charcoal bags around the room if the smell is too strong. 
  • Within a few hours, the smell will be completely gone.

Precautions 

You must put the charcoal pouches very close to the source of the smell for them to work properly. 

4. Baking soda

Get rid of dead mouse smell using baking soda

Baking soda is known as a natural smell neutralizer. When you put baking soda in a smelly area, it will absorb the bad smell and remove it completely.

It is an extremely effective method for removing the dead mouse smell from your home. 

Required Items 

Step by Step Process 

  • Once you have identified the area where the stench is coming from, you must remove the dead mouse. You can also clean up the area with a disinfectant. 
  • Put the baking soda directly on the area where you found the dead mouse. 
  • Spread some more baking soda around the area. Within a few hours, the smell will be gone. 
  • Once the smell is gone, vacuum up the baking soda. 

Precautions 

You must clean the area before putting baking soda on it for it to be effective. 

5. Coffee grounds 

Coffee grounds to remove dead mouse smell

Coffee grounds don’t just have a strong smell, they are also known for being able to adsorb any other smell around them.

Therefore, you can use coffee grounds to get rid of the dead mouse smell from your home.

This method takes a bit longer than some other methods, but it can eliminate the smell completely within a few days. 

Required Items 

  • Coffee grounds 

Step by Step Process 

  • Start by identifying the area where the mouse died. Once you find it, discard the dead mouse outside your home. 
  • Clean up the area using a disinfectant first to remove any residue. 
  • Put a layer of coffee grounds directly on the area where you found the dead mouse. They will start absorbing the bad smell immediately. 
  • Within a day or so the smell will go away. Clean up the coffee grounds once the smell is gone. 

Precautions 

You must use fresh coffee grounds for the best results, Old coffee grounds don’t work as well for removing the foul smell. 

6. Peppermint spray 

Peppermint spray to remove dead rodent smell

Peppermint oil is commonly used in various air fresheners and cleaners due to its strong smell.

You can also use a peppermint spray to get rid of the dead mouse smell, as it helps mask the bad odor.

You can easily make a peppermint spray at home using simple ingredients. 

Required Items 

  • Peppermint oil 
  • 75% Isopropyl alcohol 
  • Spray bottle 
  • Paper towel 

Step by Step Process 

  • Pour 1/2 cup of isopropyl alcohol into the spray bottle. Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint oil to it. 
  • Close the bottle and shake it well to mix the peppermint oil into the alcohol. 
  • If you can find the dead mouse, you must discard it after putting it inside a ziplock bag. 
  • Spray the mixture directly on the affected spot and use paper towels to clean up the area thoroughly.
  • Spray more peppermint spray in the space to mask the bad smell. Keep the windows and doors open for ventilation. 

Precautions 

This method will mask the smell of the dead mouse, it cannot remove the smell completely. So, it’s best used along with other methods. 

7. Hydrogen peroxide 

Eliminate dead mouse smell using Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used as a disinfectant to clean various surfaces.

You can use this chemical to clean up an area with a dead mouse. It will also eliminate the smell within a few hours.

It has little to no smell and it leaves no residue, so it is a great option for those that are sensitive to strong smells. 

Required Items 

Step by Step Process 

  • In a spray bottle, add 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water. Mix them together by shaking the bottle thoroughly. 
  • First, you must find the dead mouse and you must discard it by putting it into a ziplock bag. 
  • Spray the mixture directly on the area where you found the dead mouse. Use paper towels to clean up the space thoroughly. 
  • Spray more of the liquid directly on the area and allow it to evaporate. The smell will go away within a few hours. 

Precautions 

Hydrogen peroxide is a strong chemical, so you should always wear protective gloves while handling it. 

Final Words:

If you start to get a foul rancid smell inside your home, you should immediately check it out. If you find a dead mouse, the first step is to discard the carcass.

You must seal the dead mouse in a plastic ziplock bag to contain the smell and any harmful bacteria. Always discard the dead mouse outside the home to get rid of the smell.

Once the dead mouse is cleaned up, you can work on cleaning the surface and getting rid of the dead mouse smell. Thankfully, the natural methods mentioned in this article work very well, so you can get your house smelling fresh again in no time.