On a jobsite, a mouse has died in a cavity of an exterior wall, above the hearth. Usually, carcass rot smell subsides after a week but the temp has been so cold that it is taking a lot longer for the expired mouse to decay. Everyone is frustrated with the smell and the HO just phoned me to do something about it. The wall has real T&G wood paneling so I can’t open it up. The smell is coming through an electrical outlet, but the rotting mouse is not inside the box.
I figure it is just gioing to have to rot on its own, but is there any way to get rid of the smell or accelerate the decay during this cold spell we’re having? I have a syringe I can use to inject something into the wall cavity, but what would you suggest?
F
Replies
You might find it helpful to read an old thread on the subject...
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=48842.1
cheers
Since you seem to know approximately where it's at, is it possible to snake a hose on a ShopVac up there and... ugh... suction out the mouse puddin?
You've probably already puzzled about shop vacs, little grabby claws that mechanics have, etc but don't want to trash the T&G paneling.
Thinking more like a embalmer (I'm not one) or salmon smoker (I am):
Smoke preserves animal tissue. Source and delivery of smoke left up to you. But note that smoke damage is to be avoided. Maybe use alder or hickory shavings from the Little-Chef smoker section of the store.
Salt preserves animal tissue. Maybe blow in a bunch of fine NaCl salt. It will also help disicate the critter. Consider the affect on fasteners, though.
Drying helps - mummies and such. That requires air movement. May be not be maintainable in all season. Gets dry in the winter, but then stinks again in the summer.
Let someone eat it all. Maggots, etc. Blowflies, I think, are specialists at dead tissue. The problem is to get THEM out after they finish the job.
I've preserved small mammals and birds by injecting them with formaldehyde. Lasts a year at least. IF you can locate the critters and have good aim with the hypo.
A continuous supply of liquid nitrogen, anyone <G>?
Etc.
Spray a can of Ozium in there..head shops have it.
Use the nozzel from a wd-40 can and the little red straw..use a whole can. Repeat as needed, till it is gone for good.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Restoring, Remodeling, Reclaiming The Quality..
Get some OdorXit (odor exit) and squirt it in the pocket -try to hit the decaying little varmint. This stuff kills just about any odor and really works. Go to:
http://www.odorxit.com
to find out more than you really want to about removing unpleasant odors.
It is a little pricey (4oz, $10) but that 4oz of concentrate makes a gallon of stink-B-gone. I think it is worth the cost (for what THAT is worth!)
Good luck