How Do I Tell If I Have a Dead Animal in the Walls?

Listen for live animals inside the wall. Typically, rodent infestations will bring more than one animal into a home. Hearing scratching or skittering inside of a wall will clue you in to the presence of animals in the area and provide a clue as to where to look for the deceased animal. However, larger animals like cats or opossums may travel alone.

Smell the area for an odor that is often described only as "death." The unique odor produced by decomposing animals is a combination of methane, sulfur dioxide and other gasses. Expect a smell similar to that of rotting meat.

Look for flies swarming near the wall. Often times, flies will seek out the odor for a food source. Try to locate the area of the wall where the flies are most concentrated, and look for maggots exiting the wall via small holes or cracks as a hint to the location of the body.

Examine the walls for areas that appear to be damp or discolored. Dead animals that are trapped against the sheet rock may cause the area to discolor as the body decomposes and releases moisture.