Dead Rat in Wall Cavity

Help! I have a dead rat or possum in the cavity wall in our bedroom.It stinks like you wouldn't believe.I spent all morning lifting tiles and think I know about where it is,but can't get real close as we have an extension on our house,running along that wall.I have blocked the air vents into the room,the smell died down for a while,but is now as bad as ever.
Anyone else had this problem?
Have thought of getting a bag of sand and pouring down to try covering the remains,but if the stink is coming through the gyprock it probably won't work.
Thanks for any suggestions,I didn't want to cut into the wall but may have to.
PS;Just had a cunning plan.If I get a decent mirror I may be able to make a crude periscope,and at least get some type of look at it.
Brian

Well brian, I would suggest just leaving it alone.

crackaton said:

Well brian, I would suggest just leaving it alone.

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Or help nature along!
Induce as many ants and flies into the wall cavity as possible so the flesh is eaten away.
Problem solved in no time.

Do you have a cat?

Throw that in there.

better watch out scranch - some greenie hippee type will claim you have mistreated it - even though its dead - and have an injunction put against you moving it.......

just burn down the house and claim the insurance - problem solved.

crackaton said:

Well brian, I would suggest just leaving it alone.

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If it get really bad there's always wall paper or some really thick acyrlic paint.!!

If you want to remove it and can get to the top of the cavity then go to a toy shop and get a cheap "butterfly net". These have a handle about half a metre long with the net about 30cm diamater. Bend the wire to make a flat bottom and use this to recover whatever is in the wall cavity. I've done this with live birds and mice (and a cat though you need a stronger net for those) so it does work. If the handle isn't long enough then tape something suitable to it to extend the length (electrical tape is quite good for securing such things - stretch the tape as you wrap it around the handle).

If you can't get at it and want to seal the area to stop the smell then I suggest that you do as follows.

1. Drill an 8mm hole into any surface which enables access to the area.

2. Spray expanding foam into the hole. Insert the tube from the can and pull the trigger. The wall cavity should be reasonably large (at least the size of computer box, probably larger) so you will need quite a bit. Be aware though that the foam expands more than you are probably expecting. You need to hold the can upside down when using it. Expanding foam is sold under various brands such as "space filler" from hardware stores.

3. Quickly remove the tube from the wall and place a generous size piece of tape over the hole. I suggest duct tape although this will damage the paint. Do this as quickly as possible - cut the tape before doing step 2 and have it ready in your hand.

Tips.

Do NOT clean up any spilled foam using water as this will cause the foam to expand even more. Once cured (next day) it can be broken away by hand and the surface sanded smooth with a sanding block or power sander. Put a drop sheet (old newspaper will do) on the floor. You could put paper on the wall below the hole too using masking tape (shouldn't damage the paint if removed within a few hours) in case of any spills.

When drilling into any wall make sure there are no electric cables or pipes in the way. If you're not sure then use a simple pipe/cable/stud locator available from most hardware stores. They're not too expensive ($20?). If in any doubt then place a large band of electrical tape (at least 5mm thick) around the drill leaving only 10mm or so exposed so that the drill can not slip further than planned into the wall. The tape will be easily removeable with no harm to the drill.

Be aware that any kind of cement sheeting as commonly found under the eaves of most houses, as external "fake brick" cladding and sometimes in bathroom and kitchen walls or behind built-in heaters or fireplaces may contain asbestos if it's more than 20 years old. Asbestos is VERY hazardous to human health and must NOT be drilled, sanded or broken without taking proper precautions. Dust generated from doing so can not be removed by domestic vacuum cleaners (blows straight through the filters). A large portion of houses in all states and territories contain asbestos cement sheeting.

Somebody mentioned on TV that dead possum has sweet smell.

Whatever it means, which probably means that you don’t have a possum in your wall cavity.

So it should be smaller animal, probably bush rat, they like to move indoors as soon as nights get cold.

Important addition to previous post. Do NOT fill the space with foam if there are power cables running through it - CHECK with a cable location device if in any doubt. Doing so could cause the cables to overheat and in a worst case catch fire. The foam will fill the entire space between two studs (the vertical bits of wood in the wall) - OK if no wiring in this area but not if there is wiring.

This applies only to power cables (not phone, TV aerial or other communications cabling which does not get hot in the first place).

oh that is bad news...this happened to me and my flat mate about 10 years ago in summer, you wouldn't believe how many blowflies infested our flat for day after day after day...it was hundreds, unbelievable. I would be tempted to cut into the wall cavity and get it out. I don't envy you one bit.

Happy said:

Somebody mentioned on TV that dead possum has sweet smell.
Whatever it means, which probably means that you don’t have a possum in your wall cavity.

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I got out my Manuel and checked: It could be a Siberian Hampster,
Call Basil at Faulty Towers for advice.

hi scranch,

try as many moth balls as you can get,

at least it help'd with us at one time with a dead something in our wall cavity,

"good luck"

considering the options put forward the 'burn the house down' is looking good huh ?

Call Peter the Possum Man

Invite your mother in law around - she'll take one sniff and never return!

or better still invite her round for dinner and say you're cooking something "special"

gives me an idea sam - anyone got a dead rat/possum/large rodent etc i can install in my house - or at least the odour ???

How about a truck load of cane toads?

scranch said:

Help! I have a dead rat or possum in the cavity wall in our bedroom.It stinks like you wouldn't believe.I spent all morning lifting tiles and think I know about where it is,but can't get real close as we have an extension on our house,running along that wall.I have blocked the air vents into the room,the smell died down for a while,but is now as bad as ever.
Anyone else had this problem?

Brian

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I suggest you should sell up and buy a different house

Otherwise, write to the Better Homes and Garden team, I’m sure they will do a special for you...... in about 6 months. I am sure they will pick out Dr Harry to deal with it. He will probably suggest that you to give the dead animal some toys, and try and 'ignore it' as if you keep noticing it, it will continue to smell.

Good luck

Odduna said:

I suggest you should sell up and buy a different house

Otherwise, write to the Better Homes and Garden team, I’m sure they will do a special for you...... in about 6 months. I am sure they will pick out Dr Harry to deal with it. He will probably suggest that you to give the dead animal some toys, and try and 'ignore it' as if you keep noticing it, it will continue to smell.

Good luck

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ROFLMAO. Maybe he can dangle a stethascope down the cavity to see if it is, indeed , deceased or just playing possum