Locating the source
We track down the carcass — often hidden in a wall, attic, or crawl space — by inspecting and following the odor to its source.
Bay Area Dead Animal Removal · SPCB-Licensed · 13+ Years
Dead Animal Removal in the San Francisco Bay Area
A dead animal in the attic, wall, or crawl space is a health hazard — not just a smell. We find it, remove it safely, decontaminate the area, and eliminate the odor at its source.
Free inspectionSPCB-licensedOdor removed at the sourceFast response
Free on-site estimate · No pressure · We come to you
Why It Matters
Why a Dead Animal Needs
a Professional, Not a Candle
When an animal dies inside your home, decomposition sets in fast — releasing a strong odor and attracting flies, maggots, and other insects, along with the bacteria that come with any decaying carcass. Masking the smell with air fresheners does nothing about the source, the insects, or the contamination it leaves behind.
The real challenge is usually finding it: the animal is often tucked inside a wall cavity, deep in the attic, or under the house where you can't see or reach it. We locate the source, remove it safely with proper protective equipment, clear any contaminated material, and decontaminate and deodorize the area. Because a dead animal usually means a pest got in, we can pair it with rodent control and attic decontamination to fix the source and clean up after it.
- The carcass located and removed, safely
- Odor eliminated at the source, not masked
- Contaminated material cleared out
- Area decontaminated and sanitized
- Insects and health hazards addressed
- Entry points sealed to prevent a repeat
What's Involved
What Professional Dead
Animal Removal Involves
Removing the animal is only part of it — the odor and contamination have to go too. Here's what a proper job covers.
Safe removal
We remove the animal safely using proper protective equipment, so the bacteria and insects it carries don't spread through your home.
Contaminated material removal
Insulation, drywall, or material soaked by decomposition can't be cleaned — we remove and dispose of what's affected.
Decontamination
We sanitize and disinfect the area to neutralize the bacteria and biohazard a decaying animal leaves behind.
Odor elimination
We treat the odor at its source rather than masking it, so the smell doesn't keep drifting back into your living space.
Seal the entry points
A dead animal usually means one got in. We can seal the gaps and entry points so it doesn't happen again.
Do You Have One?
Signs There's a Dead
Animal in Your Home
You'll usually smell it before you see it. If these sound familiar, there's likely a carcass to find.
A strong, foul odor
A powerful rotting smell that gets worse over a few days — and doesn't respond to air fresheners — is the classic sign.
The smell is localized
An odor concentrated near one wall, vent, or part of a room often points to a carcass hidden right behind it.
Flies or insects appearing
A sudden cluster of flies, maggots, or beetles indoors — especially near one spot — commonly means decomposition nearby.
Stains on walls or ceilings
Dark or greasy stains bleeding through drywall or ceiling can be fluids from a decaying animal above or behind it.
Recent rodent or pest activity
If you've had rats, mice, birds, or wildlife in the attic, a dead one in a hidden spot is a common follow-on.
Pets fixated on a spot
A dog or cat repeatedly sniffing, pawing, or staring at one wall or vent can be reacting to something behind it.
How We Work
Our Dead Animal Removal Process, Step by Step
Finding the source and cleaning up after it matter as much as the removal itself. Here's how we handle every job.
Inspect & locate
We inspect the attic, crawl space, and walls and follow the odor to pinpoint exactly where the animal is.
Access & remove
We access the spot — including inside a wall cavity where needed — and remove the carcass safely in protective gear.
Clear contaminated material
We remove insulation, nesting, or material soaked by decomposition so nothing contaminated is left behind.
Decontaminate & deodorize
We sanitize and disinfect the area and treat the odor at its source so the smell is gone, not just covered up.
Seal & prevent
We can seal the entry points the animal used and recommend rodent-proofing so it doesn't happen again.
Free inspectionSPCB-licensedOdor removed, not masked
Why Attic Pros
The Bay Area's Trusted
Dead Animal Removal Team
For over 13 years, Bay Area homeowners and businesses have trusted us to handle dead animal removal from start to finish — locating, removing, decontaminating, and sealing the source — and to stand behind the work.
- SPCB-licensed (Co. Reg. #9901) & CSLB Lic. #1022608
- Diamond Certified & Angi Super Service Award winner
- Independently reviewed — verified Google ratings
- Proper protective equipment & safe disposal
- Free, no-obligation inspection with fast response
- Local team with 13+ years in Bay Area homes
Real Customers, Real Results
Trusted by Bay Area Homeowners
4.8
★★★★★
Based on 1,900+ verified Google reviews — trusted for dead animal removal & home services across the Bay Area
Google Review
★★★★★
I'm very impressed with AtticPros' expediency in scheduling a service call. Samim was courteous, well prepared and knowledgable. He quickly provided a thorough assessment of the situation. What really impressed me is how respectful of the (access through the bathroom) area he was. He cleaned up the attic access door and the (little) fallen insulation on the floor. I highly recommend attic pros for rodent extermination and clean up or any other service required.
Lorna Edits
Google Review
★★★★★
Rodent intrusion and the associated damage they cause is the worst! After reading reviews, I decided on Attic Pros because they have great reviews and because they specialize in the work I needed. I was not disappointed. Within a few days of reaching out, Tom came out and did the estimate. The work began only two business days later! The work was scheduled over two days but they did it all in one! The guys arrived on time and were cheerful, polite, and pleasant to deal with. Kevin showed me pictures and video periodically throughout the day so I could see the work, start to finish. He answered all of my questions and explained everything clearly and patiently. Before they left they made sure there was no trash or debris left behind. The crawl space now looks like it belongs under a brand new home, it’s that clean and tidy. I highly recommend Attic Pros for all of your insulation and rodent elimination needs. Update: I came back and edited this, removing a star. The work and workers were great. However, a few days after the job, Julian from their business office messaged me that they had not received payment and the invoice was past due, even though they were paid IN FULL THE DAY OF WORK. Proof of payment was provided and he messaged me that a receipt would be sent when the payment was deposited. Very disappointing and unprofessional of him to go after a customer for payment when the problem lies with their accounts receivable. 10/14/26 I am adding to my review because issues had been discovered over time. They had missed a place where rats were entering, even though they had been out twice to check traps and found some. This guy did a less than thorough cleaning but he did close off the previously missed access point. My rat intrusion problem has been ongoing. 11/6/26 Attic Pros followed through and sent out Raul, an excellent worker, who took care of everything and made it right. While it may have been problematic for a bit, they kept working until it was all made right. They have been kind and communicative, specifically Paula. I will be calling them again in the Spring to work on a different area of my home.
C Hensley
Google Review
★★★★★
Samim very professional
Rick Weiss
Google Review
★★★★★
Did crawl space cleanup and rodent proofing. They were very efficient and thorough.
James Feichtl
Google Review
★★★★★
Samim was great and work very hard. We appreciate him very much.
Amir assadi-rad
Google Review
★★★★★
Attic Pros did a great job with sealing up holes and gaps and installing mesh I would recommend them I had a good experience with them
Felipe Bernal
QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions people actually ask about dead animal removal — finding it, the odor, and what comes next. Still unsure? Our team is happy to help.
Still have questions?
Talk to our team — we're here to help.
(800) 543-0382We inspect the attic, crawl space, and walls and follow the odor to its source — decomposition smell is strongest closest to the carcass, and flies, stains, and pet behavior help narrow it down. When it's inside a wall cavity, we access the spot to remove it, then patch and clean up.
Eventually, but it can take weeks and gets much worse before it gets better — and the insects, bacteria, and stains it leaves behind don't clean themselves. Removing the source and decontaminating the area is far faster and resolves the actual hazard, not just the smell.
By removing the source, not masking it. We take out the carcass and any contaminated material, sanitize and disinfect the area, and treat the odor at its source. Air fresheners only cover the smell while the carcass and contamination are still there.
The common ones that get into Bay Area homes and die in hidden spots — rats, mice, squirrels, birds, opossums, raccoons, and other small wildlife — from attics, crawl spaces, walls, and under the house.
It can be. A decaying carcass grows bacteria and attracts flies and other insects, and contaminated insulation or material affects your indoor air. It's worth removing and decontaminating promptly rather than living with it — which is exactly what professional removal handles safely.
Sometimes — it depends on your policy. Some homeowners policies cover removal and any resulting damage when the situation stems from a covered event, while many exclude gradual pest problems. Coverage varies, so check your policy and confirm with your insurer. We're happy to provide documentation of the work for a claim.
We know a dead-animal odor is urgent, so we prioritize a fast response and start with an inspection to locate the source. We'll give you a clear timeline when you reach out.
Yes. A dead animal almost always means a pest found a way in. We can seal the entry points and rodent-proof your home, and pair the removal with rodent control so the underlying problem is solved — not just this one carcass.
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Serving the Greater Bay Area & Sacramento Area
Explore More
Related Services
Ready when you are
Book Your Free Inspection
Tell us what you're smelling and where and we'll inspect your home, locate the source, and take care of the removal, decontamination, and odor — no pressure.