"A rotten smell in one room that keeps getting worse"
Usually a rodent that has died in a wall or ceiling cavity nearby.
A smell you cannot place? Same day removal
Dead Animal Removal in Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane
A dead rat in the wall or a possum in the roof can fill a house with a smell that gets worse every day. Our technicians in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane find the animal, remove it, clean and deodorise the area and close up the gap it got in through.
Roof, wall, subfloor and chimney removals, with odour treatment and sealing.
- 24/7 Emergency Service
- Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane
- Upfront Pricing, No Hidden Costs
- Area cleaned and deodorised
Get a Dead Animal Removal Quote
Tell us where the smell is strongest and when it started.
3 cities
Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane
1-3 weeks
the smell can last if left alone
993
suburbs covered
24/7
phones answered
Smelling Something Dead in the House? Start Here
The smell of a dead animal is unmistakable, and it is usually strongest near where the animal is. A few steps now make the search faster when we arrive.
Do not cut into walls or ceilings yourself
Guessing where the animal is can mean several holes in the plaster. We use the smell, flies and staining to find the right spot first.
- 1
Note where the smell is strongest
Walk through each room and check near vents and cupboards.
- 2
Look for flies
Blowflies gathering at one spot on a wall or ceiling are a strong clue.
- 3
Open windows
Air the house, but keep pets away from the area.
- 4
Think back
Recent baiting or noises in the roof help us know what to look for.
- 5
Call 07 3544 9883
We find, remove and deodorise, usually the same day.
Dead Animal Removal Services We Offer
Wherever the animal is, we find it, remove it and deal with the smell.
Dead Rat & Mouse RemovalRats and mice in walls, roofs and cupboards
Dead Possum RemovalPossums removed from roofs and walls
Roof & Ceiling RemovalRemovals from roof spaces and ceilings
Wall Cavity RemovalLocated inside cavities with minimal cutting
Subfloor & Under-Deck RemovalUnder the house, decks and verandahs
Dead Birds in Chimneys & FluesBirds stuck in chimneys and flues
Deodorising & SanitisingOdour treatment and sanitising
Entry Point ProofingGaps sealed so it does not happen again
Commercial & Strata RemovalOffices, shops, schools and strata
Sound Familiar? Common Dead Animal Calls
These are the situations we see most often in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
"Blowflies appearing out of nowhere"
Flies breeding on a dead animal in the roof or wall come out through vents and gaps.
"A stain spreading on the ceiling"
A larger animal, such as a possum, may have died above that spot.
"We put rat baits out a week ago"
Baited rodents can die in walls and roof spaces before they leave the house.
"The smell is coming from under the house"
Animals often crawl into subfloors and under decks when they are sick.
"A bad smell from the fireplace"
Birds and possums can fall into chimneys and become trapped.
What Is That Smell?
Not every bad smell is a dead animal. Here is how to tell the common causes apart.
| Smell | What it is like | Usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Dead animal | Sweet, rotten, gets worse for days | Rodent, possum or bird in a cavity |
| Rodent urine | Stale and musty, like ammonia | Live rats or mice nesting nearby |
| Possum urine | Strong and sharp, often with stains | A live possum in the roof |
| Sewer gas | Rotten eggs, near drains | A dry or broken drain, call a plumber |
| Mould | Damp and earthy | A leak or poor ventilation |
Still hearing movement in the roof? Living animals need removing first. See possum removal and rat and mouse control.
Dead Animal Removal in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane
The animals we remove differ a little from city to city.
Melbourne
Dead possums in roofs and rats in walls are the most common calls in Melbourne, especially through autumn and winter when animals move indoors.
Dead Animal Removal MelbourneSydney
Rats in wall cavities and possums in terrace roofs are the most common calls across Sydney, with birds in chimneys in older homes.
Dead Animal Removal SydneyBrisbane
In Brisbane's heat, the smell of a dead animal builds quickly. Rats, possums and the occasional bird or bat in Queenslander roofs are common.
Dead Animal Removal BrisbaneDead animal removal calls across the three cities by month
JanMedium
FebMedium
MarMedium
AprHigh
MayHigh
JunPeak
JulPeak
AugHigh
SepMedium
OctMedium
NovMedium
DecMedium
Calls rise through autumn and winter as rodents and possums move into roofs and walls, and after baiting programs.
Why a Dead Animal Should Be Removed Quickly
The smell is only part of the problem.
Flies and maggots
Blowflies breed on the animal and spread into the house.
Bacteria
A decaying animal can contaminate insulation, plaster and the air around it.
Stains and damage
Fluids can stain ceilings and soak into timber and insulation.
Masking does not work
Air fresheners cover the smell for an hour. The source has to be removed.
How Our Dead Animal Removal Works
Find it, remove it, clean up and stop it happening again.
Finding it with as little cutting as possible
We use the smell, flies, stains and the layout of the roof and walls to pinpoint the animal before any panel is opened.
- 1
Locate
Smell, flies and staining used to find the animal.
- 2
Remove
The animal and any soiled material taken away.
- 3
Sanitise
The area cleaned and disinfected.
- 4
Deodorise
Odour treatment to clear the smell.
- 5
Seal
Entry points closed so other animals cannot get in.
How Much Does Dead Animal Removal Cost?
The price depends on where the animal is and how easy it is to reach.
Location. Roof, wall, subfloor or chimney.
Access. Whether a panel needs to be opened.
Size of the animal. A mouse or a possum.
Clean-up. How much sanitising and deodorising is needed.
You get the price upfront, before work starts. Call 07 3544 9883 or send us the details online for a faster estimate.
Why People Choose Freshify for Dead Animal Removal
We find the animal fast and leave the house smelling normal again.
Onsite in 60 minutes*
For strong smells in homes and businesses.
Found with minimal cutting
Smell and signs used to pinpoint it.
Clean and deodorise
The area sanitised, not just emptied.
Upfront pricing
No hidden costs.
Entry points sealed
So it does not happen again.
24/7 phones
Call any time.
*Onsite in 60 minutes applies to urgent jobs and depends on technician availability and location.
What You Can Count On
Here is how we handle this unpleasant job.
You know who is coming. Name and arrival time sent ahead.
You see what was found. Photos of the animal and where it was.
It is taken away. Removed from the property in sealed bags.
You can call us back. Smell still there after a few days? Call us.
Dead Animal Removal Near You
We remove dead animals across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Choose your city to see the areas we cover.
Dead Animal Removal Brisbane
Brisbane Bayside, Inner Brisbane, Ipswich & Springfield, Logan, Moreton Bay, North Brisbane, North West Brisbane, Redlands, South Brisbane, West Brisbane, Scenic Rim & Tamborine
Dead Animal Removal Melbourne
Inner East Melbourne, Inner Melbourne, Inner South Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, North East Melbourne, North West Melbourne, Outer East Melbourne, South East Melbourne, West Melbourne
Dead Animal Removal Sydney
Blacktown, Eastern Suburbs Sydney, Hills District & Hawkesbury, Inner South West Sydney, Inner West Sydney, North Shore & Hornsby, Northern Beaches, Outer South West Sydney, Outer West & Blue Mountains, Parramatta, Ryde, South West Sydney, Sutherland Shire, Sydney City & Inner South
Dead Animal Removal FAQs
Do you remove dead animals in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane?
Yes. We remove dead animals from homes and businesses in all three cities and their suburbs.
How do you find a dead animal in a wall?
We follow the smell, look for flies and stains, and check the roof and subfloor before opening anything.
Will you need to cut a hole in my wall?
Sometimes a small opening is needed. We find the spot first to keep it as small as possible.
How long will the smell last if I leave it?
It can last one to three weeks, or longer for larger animals, and attracts flies the whole time.
Do you deodorise after removal?
Yes. The area is cleaned, sanitised and treated to remove the smell.
Why did an animal die in my roof?
Often after baiting, or because it was old or sick. Possums and rodents also get trapped in cavities.
Can you remove dead birds from chimneys?
Yes. We remove birds and nests from chimneys and flues.
How do I stop it happening again?
Seal the gaps animals use to get in. We do this as part of the job.
The Smell Gets Worse Every Day
A dead animal in the house does not go away on its own. Removing it now stops the flies and the smell spreading.
Upfront pricing and a dedicated professional at your door in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, often the same day.
Other services
Other Pest Services We Offer
Choose a service to see how it works and what affects the price.
Termite InspectionA full check of the house, subfloor, roof void and garden for termite activity, with a written report and clear next steps.
Possum RemovalHumane removal of possums from roofs and wall cavities, followed by proofing so they cannot move back in.
Rat & Mouse ControlBaiting, trapping and entry-point sealing to clear rats and mice from roofs, walls, kitchens and sheds.
Cockroach ControlGel baiting and targeted spraying for German and large cockroaches in kitchens, bathrooms, roof voids and drains.
Ant ControlBaiting and barrier treatments that reach the nest, for ants in kitchens, wall cavities, paving and lawns.
Spider ControlTreatment of webs, eaves, fences, subfloors and garden edges to bring spider numbers down around the home.
Wasp RemovalTreatment and removal of wasp nests from eaves, wall cavities, roof voids, trees and the ground.
Bee RemovalRemoval of bee swarms and established hives from walls, roofs, chimneys, trees and compost bins.
Bed Bug TreatmentInspection and treatment of beds, bed frames, couches and skirting boards to clear bed bugs and their eggs.
Flea TreatmentInside and outside flea treatment for carpets, pet bedding areas, yards and subfloors, with a follow-up when needed.
Bird ControlBird proofing with spikes, netting and mesh to keep pigeons, mynas and starlings off roofs, balconies, solar panels and signs.
End of Lease Pest ControlInside and outside pest and flea treatment when you move out, with a written record for your agent or landlord.