How To Get A Dead Mouse Out Of Your Ductwork?

How do you get a dead rodent mouse out of your HVAC duct vent cover ductwork? To address HVAC requirements for removing a dead rodent mouse from your HVAC ductwork, open the carcass of your ductwork first.

Then, wear gloves and reach towards the dead rodent mouse, as there are only the worst things that you need to be cautious about, and there could be only things you may encounter. If you find the situation overwhelming, consider hiring animal control to handle it.

After handling the dead rodent mouse, ensure that the entire area is properly cleaned and disinfected. Take the dead rodent mouse into a plastic bag and seal it. Lastly, anyone could throw a plastic bag into the garbage bin. This is what you need to do as well.

These are not only the tasks you have to do. There is more to be known. For example, detecting a dead mouse, knowing its smell, using protection, and so on. This article will give you a step-by-step guideline on how to take the dead mouse out of your ductwork.

Keep reading!

How To Get A Dead Mouse Out Of Your Ductwork?

Most often, we panic, thinking that there is an animal in the vent, and we don’t know who to call. Well, don’t worry. You can take it out by yourself. All you need to do is follow some steps that we will mention below.

Knowing The Smell Of Dead Mouse:

First, we have to know what a dead mouse smells like. This will help us identify the smell of the mouse and have easy access to it. This will help you find the signs of mice in air ducts.

Anyway, when a mouse decomposes, it smells like a mixture of methane and sulfur dioxide. The smell will make you feel like something is rotten. It can even make you feel like vomiting. Also, you will need to keep in mind that a giant mouse has a more pungent smell it will have after death. Meanwhile, a tiny dead mouse has a less pungent smell.

Track The Dead Mouse:

So now we have gained enough information about a dead mouse and possibly a dead body, which could also include the odor of a decomposing carcass. Now, it is time to track it. The first step is to try to smell around your ductwork to identify the source of the smell, which may include gases like sulfur dioxide.

If you feel any of the mentioned smells, then the mouse or a dead body is probably inside the ductwork. But if you are not interested in smelling the mouse, you can own a detector that can find the smell of the dead mouse.

Use Some Supplies:

Since the dead animal, such as a small animal like a mouse, spreads different types of viruses and bacteria in the vent stack, it is essential to gather supplies for our protection.

For instance, using a good pair of gloves and a good pair of rubber gloves for protecting your hands, along with a mask, is very necessary for taking out the dead mouse from your ductwork, as you should never handle it with your bare hands. Moreover, you will need a plastic bag where you will keep the dead mouse.

You have to wear gloves before processing your task because touching a dead mouse with their hands is strictly prohibited. And if you can arrange a detector, then you can wear the mask prior. But if you want to detect the dead mouse by its smell, you have to wear a mask after you know where the dead mouse is because smelling a dead mouse is an indirect infection towards humans.

Reach The Carcass:

In the next step, reach for the carcass. You may find it challenging to achieve. In that case, a piece of equipment with a hook can help you with it. But if you still cannot get the carcass, your last resort is to call a technician for help, as the human nose can be pretty sensitive in identifying odors that lead you to the carcass.

Remove The Carcass:

After you get access to the carcass, it’s time to remove it. If the carcass is near to you, you can use your gloved hands to take it out. Otherwise, a wire hanger can help you remove the carcass.

Take The Mouse Out:

Hopefully, you have now found the dead mouse inside your ductwork. Just take it out with your gloved hands and put it inside the plastic bag.

Sometimes, dead mice become so decomposed that they turn into pieces. If that is the case, only a technician can handle it. But if the dead mouse is available in a single piece, then you can do the task.

Throw The Dead Mouse:

You may have done this step even if we didn’t say it here. That is throwing out the plastic bag where you have kept the dead mouse. But before you throw it, make sure you have sealed the bag properly. Moreover, there shouldn’t be any way of leaks in the plastic bag. That can pollute the environment and make it smell dirty.

Disinfect The Area:

Now, it is time to disinfect the area where the dead mouse was. Spray some disinfectant on that area. This will keep the ductwork sanitized and the smell at bay. Also, viruses and bacteria won’t bother you because of the fluid left by the dead mouse.

This is different from where your task ends. You have to make sure that no Mouse can get inside your ductwork further.

Seal The Small Places:

Usually, mice enter the HVAC system ductwork when they find any holes or broken vents in the duct system. So you have to find out if there is any way for a mouse to get inside or if they get lost in search of a way in. If there are any holes, seal that hole, and if the vent is broken, make sure you fix it to prevent any further air leakage. Remember, the best person for this part of the job is always a licensed technician who specializes in leaky ducts and HVAC ductwork damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get rid of the dead mouse smell when you can’t find it?

When you find a dead mouse in your room, you have to neutralize the smell first. To do this, you first have to turn the fan on and open the windows. This will allow fresh air to circulate.

How do you find a dead mouse in ductwork?

To find a dead mouse in your cooling ducts, you have to follow your nose. Undoubtedly, the dead mice spread some sort of foul odor, which can affect your indoor air quality and energy efficiency. The more you can smell the dead mouse, it means the more you are to it, and considering professional air duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning by HVAC companies is a good idea. Hence, you can easily find the mouse in your ductwork.

Can you get sick from a dead mouse in a vent?

The air that circulates a dead mouse spreads bacteria and viruses throughout the entire house. Therefore, having an infection due to the dead mouse’s smell won’t be surprising. This can end up making anyone sick.

Final Thoughts

So this was all about how to get a dead mouse out of your ductwork. We can have a short discussion about it.

Make sure you are wearing gloves and a mask to take out the dead mouse from your ductwork. And when you get the mouse out, remember to seal the plastic bag properly.

Also, disinfect the place and step up for further precautions, like sealing the holes and repairing the vents. Lastly, we would say that if you find it uncomfortable to take the dead mouse out of your ductwork, call an HVAC technician.

Thank you.