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This may be an unpleasant and gruesome topic but, at some point in our lives, a lot of us will be faced with the dilemma of what to do with a dead animal. It may be a squirrel or a bird in your garden, or a beloved family pet, or even a pest that has died inside the walls. Regardless of the situation, you should know how to safely dispose of the animal carcass in order to avoid the terrible odour, as well as the potentially life-threatening health risks associated with dead bodies. After reading this article, you will be able to take decisive action to protect your family and pets should you stumble upon a dead animal in or around your home.
The danger of a dead animalDead and decomposing animals are a serious health hazard for you, your family, and any pets you may have. The greatest risk comes from the parasites that the corpse is hosting, fleas and ticks in particular. As these parasites feast, they become carriers of various diseases. If no action is taken, these bloodsuckers will eventually begin searching for a new food source, namely you and any other mammal in the house. If this happens, you run the risk of contracting bite-transmitted diseases, some of which cause organ failure and death. Another way in which people contract diseases from dead animals is through incorrect handling of the corpse. Even if treated quickly, the diseases from rotting animals can affect your health for the rest of your shortened lifespan. This may sound alarmist but, in our opinion, the risks warrant such a strong warning. Don’t worry, though – this article will cover the entire process of safely disposing of a dead animal.
How to dispose of a dead rat in your gardenThis is one of the most common places to find dead animals. In the majority of cases it will be a bird, pet, squirrel or some other small rodent. In the UK, you are permitted to bury rats and animals (excluding livestock and horses) in your garden. We recommend that the grave is at least two feet deep and includes a layer of rock above the corpse to stop it from becoming unearthed by scavengers. But if you are not comfortable with this or are worried about vengeful rat ghosts, there are some other options available. Your local vet, or council authority, may assist you in having the corpse incinerated, but it is important that you do not attempt to burn the body yourself or you may end up being visited by the authorities. A third option is to simply dispose of the dead rat at the landfill. However, check with the staff first as some facilities do not allow the disposal of hazardous biological materials. No matter which option you choose, you will need to take the following precautions:
Read: How to Get the Rif of Rats in the Garden without Poison How to dispose of a dead rat in a wallIf a rat, a squirrel, or another animal has entered your home, got stuck and subsequently died, you can tell by looking for these signs, such as swarms of flies around a particular area, or unexplained stains on your walls.
How to get rid of the residual smell of a dead ratDespite having gotten rid of the dead rat, you will most likely find that the unpleasant stench of decay is still present. You should prepare yourself for a bout of intense cleaning in order to eliminate the smell.
If the animal died touching anything made from fabric, such as a carpet, rug, or curtains, wash them on a high-temperature setting with hydrogen peroxide, mixed in with your usual laundry detergent. If it cannot be washed, you will need to throw it away as the smell will persist and the area may retain some dangerous bacteria. Are you dealing with a pest infestation? You don't have to be alone in the battle against pests. Hire a professional pest expert! Call us Safety precautionsAs previously mentioned, you should take every precaution you can when disposing of dead animals. The bacteria, viruses, and parasites they carry pose a severe risk to your health, as well as the health of your family and pets. Our recommended safety precautions are:
So there we have it, your guide on how to dispose of dead animals safely. We hope you never have to experience this, but if you do, at least you are now armed with the knowledge of how to deal with the situation safely. Image source: Lemau Studio/shutterstock.com how to Sign Me Up for Fresh Updates I want to have fantastic stories delivered straight to my inbox for free.How long does it take for a buried rat to decompose?The length of time for the rodent to decompose depends on many factors, including size of the rodent, temperature, humidity and accessibility to decomposers like flies. Unfortunately it may take three weeks or more to completely decompose.
What do you do if you find a dead rat?After donning your mask and protective gear, place the rat into the plastic bag and seal it. Then, place that bag into a separate trash bag and tie the trash bag tightly. This may seem like overkill, but it's better to be safe than sorry. You may be able to throw the rat into your outdoor trash bin.
Can you catch anything from a dead rat?Once you have touched a dead rat or mouse, you can catch an RBD by touching open areas of your body such as mouth, nose and eyes, as well as touching any wounds or scratches.
What happens if you leave a dead rat in your house?Dead rats present a high risk of dangerous diseases and bacteria that affect the air you breathe and could cause health complications.
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