1. Describe and locate
The team asks where the smell is strongest, how long it has been there and what could have died, then plans the search.
Prior Lake, MN · Scott County
A strong sickly-sweet smell in your Prior Lake 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 removal and cleanup is the safe removal of an animal carcass from a wall, attic, vent, crawl space, yard or home, followed by cleaning, disinfecting and odor treatment of the area.
If a dead animal is on your property in Prior Lake or elsewhere in Scott County, call Prior Lake Biohazard Cleanup Help for removal and cleanup at your home, rental or business. Your cleanup team works in gloves, respirators and protective gear and follows workplace safety rules for contaminated materials.
Summers in Prior Lake are milder, with July highs around 84 degrees, but a dead animal inside a closed wall or attic still breaks down and smells within a few days. Most housing in Scott County is occupied, with a vacancy rate of about 3%, so a smell is usually noticed quickly, but wall voids and crawl spaces still hide carcasses.
A typical dead animal removal & cleanup job includes:
The team asks where the smell is strongest, how long it has been there and what could have died, then plans the search.
The work zone is sealed off, and the animal is removed with care for the family, especially when it is a pet.
Insulation, carpet, padding or drywall that absorbed fluids are cut out, bagged and removed.
Surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, odor is treated at its source, and the crew checks the finished area.
Expect dead animal removal & cleanup in Prior Lake, MN to cost roughly $150 to $250, with the final price set after an on-site assessment.
The size of the animal matters. Small rodents are simpler to handle, while larger animals can leave far more fluid and require more labor.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
Estimates only, not a quote. Sources: Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor. Price drivers include where the animal is, whether walls must be opened, size of the animal, odor and cleanup afterward. Call (877) 812-4220 to talk through the job.
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.
On private property, you usually hire a dead animal removal service or cleanup team. Animal services may remove animals from public roads and property, and rules vary by city and county. For a hidden or large animal, describe the smell and location when you call.
Dead animals can carry bacteria, parasites and viruses that pass to people and pets through touch or contaminated surfaces. Wild animals may also carry illnesses such as rabies. Avoid contact and let a cleanup team handle removal.
Do not touch it bare-handed. Wear heavy gloves, place it in a heavy bag, seal it and dispose of it according to local rules. Wash your hands well afterward. If it is large or you are unsure, call for help.
For work in an attic or crawl space, many people stay in the home while the crew works with containment. For heavy odor or large animals, you may prefer to be away. The team will say what makes sense for your situation.
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.
A dead animal can carry germs, so protection comes first.
Call (877) 812-4220