Dead Animal Removal in Central Florida

When you smell it but can’t find it. Locating dead animals in walls, attics, crawlspaces, and yards requires patience — we use scent tracking, thermal imaging where useful, and inspection of likely den sites. Removal, contaminated insulation replacement, and full odor decontamination.

FWC Licensed Same-Day Service Humane Methods Warrantied Repairs

FWC

Licensed Trapper

24/7

Emergency Dispatch

500+

Florida Homes Served

100%

Repair Warranty

Why Air Fresheners and Ozone Don't Solve This

A dead raccoon or rat in your wall produces an unmistakable smell that gets worse for 5–10 days, then slowly fades over 2–3 more weeks. Most homeowners try to mask it instead of fixing it — and pay the price:

  • Air fresheners hide it temporarily. Plug-ins and sprays cover the smell for hours, then it returns. The decomposition continues regardless.
  • Ozone machines don’t reach inside walls. Ozone breaks down odor molecules in air it contacts. It can’t penetrate drywall to where the carcass actually is.
  • Spray sealants over insulation trap the smell. Even if the smell partially fades, the contaminated insulation continues off-gassing for years. Sealing it in just postpones the problem.

Systematic search of attic, wall voids, soffits, and crawlspaces. Removal of carcass and contaminated insulation. Antimicrobial and enzyme-based odor neutralizer. Drywall repair if cut. Complete and permanent — not a cover-up.

FWC Licensed

Florida Fish & Wildlife certified.

Same-Day Service

Most calls scheduled within 24 hours.

Humane Methods

No poisons in living spaces.

When You Smell It But Can't Find It

Dead animals in walls, attics, or under decks produce an unmistakable smell that worsens over 5–10 days as decomposition peaks. Locating it requires patience — we use scent tracking, thermal imaging where useful, and inspection of likely den sites (insulation pockets, soffit corners, behind drywall).

Need Help Right Now?

Call our licensed trappers for fast, humane wildlife removal.

Our Process

  1. Locate. Systematic search of attic, wall voids, soffits, crawlspace.
  2. Remove. Carcass and any contaminated insulation, double-bagged.
  3. Decontaminate. Antimicrobial and odor neutralizer applied to area.
  4. Repair. Re-insulate, repair drywall if cut, restore.

Why DIY Often Fails

Air-fresheners and ozone machines mask the smell briefly. Without removing the carcass and contaminated material, the odor returns. Spray sealants over insulation also trap the smell underneath. The only real solution is removal.

What Customers Say

Real reviews from Central Florida homeowners we’ve helped.

Heard scratching above our bedroom for two weeks. Two other companies wanted to spray pesticide and call it done. Central Florida Trapper actually went into the attic, found the roof rat entry, sealed it, and replaced the contaminated insulation.

— Sandra R.

Lake Mary, FL

★★★★★

A raccoon tore through our soffit and was raising kits. They located the babies, reunited them with mom outside, sealed everything, cleaned the attic. Done in three days. Insurance paid most because the paperwork was so thorough.

— Mike D.

Apopka, FL

★★★★★

Same-day for a snake on our pool deck. Turned out to be a non-venomous black racer, but they explained the difference, removed it safely, and didn’t charge us a panic fee. Will absolutely call again.

— Patricia L.

Orlando, FL

★★★★★

Related Services

Restoration starts with removing the cause — we handle both.

Soffit, fascia, and structural repairs after wildlife.

Active wildlife? Get the cause solved before restoring.

Need Help Right Now?

Call our licensed trappers for fast, humane wildlife removal.

— FAQs

COMMON QUESTIONS

Everything you need to know — answered clearly and honestly.

The most obvious sign is a strong, unmistakable odor — a sweet, putrid smell that intensifies over days and permeates the surrounding rooms. You may also notice an increase in flies (especially blowflies) hovering near a specific wall or ceiling area, and in some cases you can see staining from decomposition fluids on drywall or ceilings.
The odor timeline depends on the size of the animal and ambient temperature. A mouse may take 1–2 weeks to fully decompose; a rat 2–3 weeks; a raccoon or opossum can take 4–6 weeks or longer. In Florida’s heat, decomposition accelerates. Without removing the carcass, the smell will persist until full decomposition — which is unbearable for most households.
In most cases, yes. Our technicians use experience, odor intensity mapping, and in some cases borescope cameras to locate carcasses without unnecessary demolition. We identify the most likely access area and make a minimal, targeted opening when necessary. We patch any access holes we make as part of the service.
Decomposing animals can release harmful bacteria and attract secondary pests like flies, maggots, beetles, and mites that spread from the carcass into the home. The odor itself, while nauseating, is not directly toxic — but the bacteria and parasites associated with decomposition are a genuine health concern, particularly for households with young children or immunocompromised individuals.
We remove the carcass, treat the area with enzyme-based disinfectant and deodorizer to neutralize residual odor and bacteria, and seal the entry point to prevent recurrence. For cases where the carcass was in a wall void, we also treat for secondary insect infestations that may have developed. The odor typically clears within 24–48 hours after removal.