1. Safety first
The crew checks for hazards such as tight access, weak flooring and electrical wires before entering the area.
Excelsior, MN · Hennepin County
A strong sickly-sweet smell in your Excelsior house could mean an animal died in the walls. Call (877) 812-4220 to get dead animal cleanup, removal of soaked insulation and sanitizing.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Pet cleanup after a death at home covers removal of the body, cleaning of bedding and floors, and disinfection of the area. It is done gently and privately, so family members do not have to handle it.
When an animal dies in a wall, attic or vent in Excelsior, call Excelsior Biohazard Cleanup Help and get a crew that tracks the smell to its source. You get the carcass removed, the area disinfected and the odor treated, anywhere in Hennepin County.
Most housing in Hennepin County is occupied, with a vacancy rate of about 6%, so a smell is usually noticed quickly, but wall voids and crawl spaces still hide carcasses. About 68% of homes in Excelsior were built before 1980, and older houses often have more gaps, chimneys and crawl spaces where animals can get in and die.
What dead animal removal & cleanup covers:
The crew checks for hazards such as tight access, weak flooring and electrical wires before entering the area.
The work zone is sealed off, and the animal is removed with care for the family, especially when it is a pet.
The carcass and any nesting debris are removed, and fluid-soaked materials are cut out and replaced later.
Odor and air are checked, and the owner is shown the work and told what, if anything, needs follow-up.
Dead animal removal & cleanup in Excelsior, MN typically costs $150 to $250, depending on the size of the affected area and the materials involved.
Insurance may help in some cases, but many homeowners policies exclude damage from animals or pests. Ask your insurer exactly what applies before work starts.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
Estimates only, not a quote. Sources: Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor. Price drivers include where the animal is, whether walls must be opened, size of the animal, odor and cleanup afterward. Call (877) 812-4220 to talk through the job.
Sometimes. A small animal in plain sight can be bagged with gloves and a heavy bag, sealed and disposed of properly. Hidden, large or long-dead animals are a different job, because fluids soak into materials and germs can spread.
Sometimes, but not always. Many homeowners policies exclude damage from animals or pests, and wording differs. Call your insurer before work starts, take photos and keep receipts, and ask what paperwork it needs.
Yes. Animals can die inside ducts, and the heating and cooling system then moves the odor through every room. Cleanup includes removing the animal and treating vents and duct openings.
For work in an attic or crawl space, many people stay in the home while the crew works with containment. For heavy odor or large animals, you may prefer to be away. The team will say what makes sense for your situation.
The smell can last a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the animal, the weather and where it died. It fades faster once the animal and soaked materials are removed and the area is treated.
No. Cleanup removes the carcass and odor but does not close entry points. A wildlife or pest professional can seal gaps. Removing odor does help, since scent can draw other animals to the same spot.
Tell the team what you found and it explains the next step.
Call (877) 812-4220