1. Plan with the owner
The crew talks through what is known, what the smell suggests and which parts of the building may be affected.
Hazelwood, MO · St. Louis County
A strong sickly-sweet smell in your Hazelwood house could mean an animal died in the walls. Call (877) 812-4220 to get dead animal cleanup, removal of soaked insulation and sanitizing.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Dead animal cleanup goes beyond pickup. As an animal decomposes, fluids soak into insulation, drywall, carpet and wood, so the job includes removing and replacing those materials and sanitizing what remains.
Want a dead animal removed from your Hazelwood property without a mess? You can call Hazelwood Biohazard Cleanup Help from anywhere in St. Louis County. Cleanup technicians work discreetly and keep family members, tenants and staff away from the area.
Hazelwood gets about 42 inches of rain a year, and wet weather drives wildlife into attics, crawl spaces and sheds where they can die and be hard to find. About 66% of homes in Hazelwood were built before 1980, and older houses often have more gaps, chimneys and crawl spaces where animals can get in and die.
The work often covers:
The crew talks through what is known, what the smell suggests and which parts of the building may be affected.
The animal is located and sealed in heavy bags, and insects and debris around it are collected.
The carcass, nest and soaked insulation are packed out, and the area is cleaned to bare structure.
Odor and air are checked, and the owner is shown the work and told what, if anything, needs follow-up.
Expect dead animal removal & cleanup in Hazelwood, MO to cost roughly $150 to $250, with the final price set after an on-site assessment.
Where the animal is located is the biggest factor. An animal in plain sight on a garage floor is quick to remove, while one inside a wall may need access work and more time.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
Published ranges only (Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor); every dead animal removal & cleanup job in Hazelwood is priced after an on-site look. Price drivers include where the animal is, whether walls must be opened, size of the animal, odor and cleanup afterward. Questions? Call (877) 812-4220.
It is not a good idea. The odor can last for weeks, flies and other pests may follow, and fluids can stain drywall and insulation. Removal and cleanup are safer and faster than waiting.
Sometimes. A small animal in plain sight can be bagged with gloves and a heavy bag, sealed and disposed of properly. Hidden, large or long-dead animals are a different job, because fluids soak into materials and germs can spread.
It can be. Fluids can carry germs, and pests such as flies and fleas spread through the home. Do not touch it bare-handed, keep children and pets away and wash your hands well. People with asthma or sensitive lungs should stay out of the area.
The crew follows the odor, checks vents, attic access and crawl spaces, and looks for flies and stains. Sometimes a small camera or a small opening in drywall is needed. Once the animal is found, it is removed and the area is cleaned.
Open windows where it is safe, keep children and pets away, and try to note where the smell is strongest. Do not tear open walls. Call Hazelwood Biohazard Cleanup Help at (877) 812-4220 to talk through the safest next step.
You do not have to handle it alone. A cleanup team can remove the body with care, clean bedding and floors, and disinfect the area. It is done privately and gently, so the family is spared the hardest part.
Do not tear open walls. A cleanup team can find the source safely.
Call (877) 812-4220