Dead Animal Removal: Does Pest Control Handle It?

That smell in your attic, basement, or the vent system of your house? It’s not going away on its own. Chances are, you’re dealing with a dead animal—a raccoon in the soffit, a squirrel in the wall, maybe a rat behind the furnace. The question becomes, who do you call? Pest control, or someone else?

What Pest Control Covers—And What It Doesn’t

This is where confusion sets in. You may have hired an animal control contractor to handle a rat problem, or to bait for mice, and now one of those animals has died inside your walls. Naturally, you expect the company to remove it. But the reality? Most traditional pest control services don’t handle dead animal removal, especially if it involves crawling through attic insulation or cutting open drywall.

Their job is to eliminate living infestations. Tracking down and removing a decomposing raccoon? That’s a completely different service—and not one they’re usually equipped to handle.

Why Dead Animals Are a Big Deal in the GTA

Dead wildlife is more common than you might think, especially in Toronto and surrounding suburbs. Raccoons, for example, are vulnerable to canine distemper, a viral disease that’s made headlines in recent years due to outbreaks across the city. Infected raccoons may stumble or appear tame before dying under decks, inside garages, or behind walls. 

Other common culprits include squirrels that fall between joists, rats that crawl into insulation and die, and birds that become trapped in chimneys or vents. In winter, many animals enter attics for warmth and simply don’t make it out.

The Risks Go Beyond the Smell

Yes, the smell is terrible—musky, sour, inescapable—but that’s only part of the problem. A decomposing animal attracts flies, maggots, and bacteria, all of which carry health risks for both humans and their pets. In some cases, fluids from the carcass can seep into building materials, requiring sanitation and deodorization well beyond simple removal.

Children and pets are especially at risk, as are individuals with asthma or weakened immune systems. That’s why SWAT Wildlife doesn’t just remove the animal—we also sanitize the area, eliminate odours, and inspect for damage.

Does Pest Control Remove Dead Mice?

Occasionally—but they usually only retrieve animals if they’ve placed the traps and the body is easily accessible. If the mouse died inside a wall, behind drywall, or in ductwork? You’re probably on your own.

At SWAT Wildlife, our dead animal removal service is designed specifically for these cases. We work with homeowners and property managers across the region to safely remove, dispose, and clean up after dead animals—whether they’re inside a home, under a deck, or rotting in a shed.

How Long Does It Take for a Dead Animal to Stop Smelling?

Typically, the worst of the smell lasts one to two weeks, depending on temperature, humidity, and the size of the animal. A dead squirrel in your attic during a heatwave will decompose faster (and smell stronger) than a bird in an unheated garage. But the odour can linger for much longer—especially if you don’t find the source quickly.

What Should You Do While Waiting?

Do not attempt to remove a dead animal yourself unless it’s clearly visible and you’re equipped with gloves, proper protection, and a way to sanitize the area afterward. Never touch the animal with bare hands (always wear gloves!), and don’t assume it’s safe just because it looks dried out. Parasites, bacteria, and mites can survive for days after the animal dies.

If the animal is outside and on public property, call Toronto Animal Services. But if it’s inside your home or on your private property, it’s your responsibility.

What SWAT Wildlife Offers

We provide:

• Dead animal removal services for raccoons, squirrels, skunks, birds, rats, and more
• Sanitation and deodorization of contaminated areas
• Inspection for entry points, nests, and signs of other wildlife
• Safe, professional, and respectful handling and disposal
  

We’re fully equipped to deal with carcasses in attics, crawlspaces, chimneys, behind walls, under decks—you name it. Our service areas include the Greater Toronto Area, including North York, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, and other GTA communities.

Need help with something more immediate, like a live animal issue? We also offer skunk removal, rat removal, and prevention services.

Don’t Wait—We’re Just a Call Away

If you’ve got a smell you can’t ignore, flies that won’t go away, or a strong suspicion something died where it shouldn’t have—don’t wait. Let SWAT Wildlife handle the removal, the mess, and the cleanup so you can get your space (and air) back.Contact us today to schedule an inspection or speak to a technician.