Remember that episode of Seinfeld where Jerry’s car is permeated with a foul odor, but no one can figure out the cause? Jerry and his friends try everything to identify the source of the smell, but to no avail. It turns out that a mouse has died in in the air vent of Jerry’s car and what they smell is the odor of the poor, decaying creature!
And yes, it was a funny episode. But if you’ve been in a similar situation then it’s not so funny. You just want to get rid of the rat - or mouse. Chances are that you haven’t had mice dying in your car, but more than a few of us have had mice and other rodents expire somewhere in the house.
If it happens to you, you’ll never forget it. Well, you’ll never forget the smell, anyway.
Quite apart from the fact that finding and getting rid of a dead mouse (or rat or squirrel) can be difficult ̶ especially if the poor creature has met its end in some hard-to-reach nook or cranny ̶ you also have to contend with the fact that dead mice carry diseases that can be hazardous and might harm you and your family. That becomes even more of a threat if insects, such as ants, find the corpse and begin feeding on it. Those ants can quickly spread whatever diseases the mouse might be carrying throughout the house ̶ into walls, ceilings, furnishings, even clothes!
Find and Remove ̶ Immediately
However difficult it might be, it’s essential that you find the corpse and get rid of the mouse right away. The worst thing you can do is leave it where it is and hope that nature will take its course and the deceased will just dry up and vanish. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way!
It actually takes about ten to twelve weeks for a mouse to entirely decompose and during that time you’ll still have to put up with that awful smell and, of course, the health hazards. So again, get rid of the mouse (if possible) so you can eliminate the smell.
Once the mouse is gone, what do you do to get rid of the smell and prevent mice or rats from coming back? Here's a step-by-step guide.
(Plus, you can read more here in our blog about getting rid of rats and rodents.)
First Things First: Clean!
There are any number of steps you can take to prevent mice and other rodents from invading your house, but first things first. We’ll return to defensive measures later.
Whether you’re dealing with one mouse in your already or a full-on rodent infestation, you should begin by cleaning your house thoroughly. Leave nothing untouched. Every room, cupboard, storage area and book shelf should be vacuumed and cleaned.
Just remember: mice (and other rodents) can carry an assortment of nasty diseases, so you must, must apply the right kind of cleaner/disinfectant to reduce the risk of spreading germs and bacteria.
Oh yes, and while you clean, be sure to wear gloves and eye protection and throw away any mouse droppings, old traps, or debris relating to mice that you find.
How to Get Rid of Mice
As part of your on-going efforts (and it will be an on-going task) to get rid of mice, get rid of rats, and all those other pesky rodents, we suggest that the most effective and easy-to-use cleaning agent you can use is Sterifab®.
So, Why Sterifab?
Well, for one thing Sterifab is actually an antimicrobial agent and it will kill many microorganisms on contact. However, unlike antibiotics, which are intended to do away with microorganisms within the body, disinfectants like Sterifab work by destroying the microbes at the cellular level or hindering their basic metabolic functions. That’s why you’ll see Sterifab in use in hospitals, prisons, dental surgeries, kitchens, bathrooms, offices, in fact anywhere that humans work.
Plus...Sterifab Gets Rid of the Smell!
Sterifab is a particularly good disinfectant because it not only destroys micro-organisms, but it will also kill viruses, mold and mildew, but it will also eradicate germs and pathogenic odors ̶ which is especially important in this instance. Plus, it not only reduces the level of microorganisms from a variety of sites, but also functions as a bacteriostatic ̶ inhibiting bacterial growth ̶ and as a highly effective fungistatic, preventing otherwise hard-to-control fungal growth.
Remember, if you are unlucky enough to be the victim of mice infestation (or just as bad, a rat infestation) you’ll be wise to use that Sterifab liberally, and often!
Gasping for Air!
One of the best and most effective ways to get rid of the smell of a decomposing mouse (or any rodent for that matter) is to thoroughly air out your home. Open the windows, set up a few free-standing fans and perhaps even invest in some of those air fresheners we see advertised so often on the TV. It all helps. So, if for some reason you can’t remove that decaying mouse corpse, these are a few ways that you can bring a pleasant smell back to your home.
Of course, if you’re dealing with a bad case of rat or mice infestation then you may have to call a qualified pest removal expert to get to wherever it is those pesky rodents have died. It might be the only way to completely eliminate that awful smell.
Still, you should make sure that whoever you call uses Sterifab as part of their overall clean-up effort. They’ll know what it is and how to use is it.
Keeping the Mice and Other Rodents Out
To keep mice or rats out of your house the first thing to do is eliminate any possible food source. Don’t leave food leftovers or crumbs lying around the house or even outside the house in poorly protected garbage cans. Not only does this invite mice and rats and other rodents to dine at your expense, but other pests and insects will flock to your garden and house for the treats. Also make sure that you don’t leave dirty plates in the sink. Wash them immediately after use or put them in the dish washer and close the door until you turn it on.
You should also take a close look at your house, both inside and out, to make sure there are no open spaces, cracks or gaps where the pests could be coming in. Check for tiny holes in the attic roof, the walls and gaps beneath the doors where something as small as a mouse can easily get in.
Keep in mind that mice will also patrol the perimeters of your home looking not just for food, but shelter. For instance, if they walk past a garage door where the “rubber gasket” is not perfect seated, either by tear or unevenness they will investigate. A warm draft exiting the home will be an open invitation to come inside and get warm and look for a place to spend the winter.
Mice can distort or shrink their skeletal structure to a fraction of its normal height to squeeze into some tight spaces. Oh yes, and don’t forget about shrews. If they get into your house (maybe through a crack in the slab?) they will be hard to evict.
A Few More Reasons to Use Sterifab
Not only is Sterifab is an incredibly effective all-purpose disinfectant but, unlike many other comparable products, has a number of features that make it ideal for a multitude of uses. It:
Will not stain
Has no added perfume
Has no objectionable odor
Is fast drying and crystal clear
Will not harm fabrics, carpets or most areas
Is one of the only non-residual products labeled for use on mattresses and upholstered furniture
If it’s practical, you should apply Sterifab as often as possible to kill all airborne diseases that have been transmitted from the dead animal.
Want to disinfect and get rid of the stink, quickly (and affordably!)