A rotten, sickly smell coming from a ceiling, a wall or a cupboard usually means something has died in a cavity. In Hobart homes it is most often a rat or mouse after baiting, sometimes a bird, and occasionally a possum or joey that was shut inside during a DIY exclusion. This page explains how the source is found, what removal involves and how to avoid it next time.
Hobart Possum Removal is a referral service. We do not enter roofs or remove remains. With your consent, we pass your enquiry to one independent Greater Hobart business that does. Inspection, pricing and the work are between you and that business.
Common causes
- Rodent baiting. Poisoned rats and mice often die inside walls and ceilings.
- Possums shut in. NRE Tas advises listening for several days after closing a possum out, because a trapped animal will make noisy attempts to escape. If that sign is missed, or young were left behind, an animal can die inside.
- Birds nesting in gutters, under iron or in vents.
- Old age or illness, especially after cold Hobart winters.
Finding the source
A technician will usually:
- Ask where the smell is worst, when it started, and whether there has been any recent baiting or proofing.
- Look from the manhole for flies, stains, droppings and runways.
- Work along the ceiling and walls to narrow the spot, sometimes with a camera.
- Explain the options if the carcass is in a closed wall or ceiling section, including whether a small access cut is needed and who repairs it.
Some remains cannot be reached without damage. For small rodents in a ventilated roof, waiting a couple of weeks with odour treatment can be the sensible choice. For a possum, removal is usually worth it.
What removal involves
- Locating and bagging the remains with gloves and a mask.
- Removing soiled insulation or nesting material if needed.
- Applying an odour neutraliser, and dealing with flies or maggots.
- Identifying and sealing the entry point, or reviewing a bait programme, to stop a repeat.
Protected wildlife in Tasmania
Brushtail possums are protected in Tasmania, and NRE Tas states they cannot be taken or possessed without a permit. Removing a dead animal from your own roof for disposal is routine property care, but keeping native animal remains is a different matter. If you find a dead possum with a live joey, contact a wildlife rescue service such as Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary's rescue line, or NRE Tas, straight away. Your council can tell you whether it collects dead animals from roads and footpaths. Inside your home, removal is the owner's job.
Health and safety
Decomposing animals and droppings carry bacteria and parasites. Wear gloves and a mask, keep children and pets away, and avoid sweeping or vacuuming dry droppings, which spreads dust. Low-pitched roofs over older Hobart homes can be cramped and hot in summer, and ceiling joists must be walked carefully. If access is difficult, get help.
Smell season in Hobart
Hobart summers are mild, but a closed roof under dark iron can get very hot on a sunny afternoon, and the smell from a carcass rises quickly. In winter the odour may be weaker but last longer. Note when the smell is worst through the day. That detail helps a technician narrow down the location.
Questions to ask before you book
- Is the price for finding and removing the animal, or for a set amount of time?
- If plaster needs to be cut, who repairs it?
- Do you remove soiled insulation, and is disposal included?
- Will you find out how the animal got in, and quote for sealing it?
Avoiding a repeat
The two biggest causes, baiting without proofing and sealing without checking, are both avoidable. Confirm what is in the roof, exclude possums properly following NRE Tas guidance, seal rodent gaps, and only then use targeted rodent control. See possum proofing and rats and mice in the roof.
Before anyone climbs into the roof
Take a few simple notes. Write down the rooms where the smell is strongest, the times of day it is worst, any flies at windows or light fittings, and any stains or damp patches on the ceiling. Photos help. If baiting was done, keep the product name. This information shortens the search and can lower the cost.
Frequently asked questions
How long will a dead rat smell last in my roof?
Usually one to three weeks, depending on temperature and airflow. A larger animal such as a possum can smell much longer.
Can a dead animal be removed without cutting the ceiling?
Often, if it is in the open roof space and can be reached from the manhole. In a wall cavity or a closed section, a small access hole may be needed.
Why is there a dead possum in my roof after I sealed it?
It may have been inside when the gap was closed, or young may have stayed behind. NRE Tas advises listening for several days before making permanent repairs.
Is it safe to remove a dead animal myself?
With gloves, a mask and care, often yes. Do not stir up dry droppings. Get help if the roof is steep, hot or hard to move through.
Who pays if a dead animal is found after professional proofing?
That depends on the warranty and on the cause. Raise it quickly with the business that did the work, and ask whether its warranty covers an animal shut in during the job.
Where the smell can mislead you
Smells travel along roof framing and down wall cavities, so the strongest point in a room is not always directly below the animal. Bathroom exhaust fans, downlights and ducted heating outlets can carry odour from a different part of the roof. A technician will check these paths before suggesting any cut into the plaster.
Next step
Tell us your suburb, where the smell is strongest and anything done recently. With your consent, we pass your details to one independent Greater Hobart business. See how it works or make an enquiry.