Hamilton Wildlife finds and removes dead animals from inside walls, attics, ceilings, chimneys, crawl spaces, vents and under decks and sheds in Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Ancaster and Dundas. We remove the animal, clean and deodorize the area and seal the opening it got in through, so it doesn’t happen again. Call 289-799-3655.
Who do I call to remove a dead animal in Hamilton?
It depends where the animal is. For a dead animal on a road, sidewalk or other public property in Hamilton, contact the City of Hamilton (check the current reporting options on hamilton.ca). For a dead animal inside your house, in your attic or walls, or on your private property, the City won’t remove it. Call a private wildlife company like Hamilton Wildlife at 289-799-3655.
| Where is it? | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Road, sidewalk, park or other public property | City of Hamilton (see hamilton.ca) |
| Inside walls, attic, ceiling, chimney, vents, crawl space | Hamilton Wildlife: 289-799-3655 |
| Under a deck, shed, porch or in your yard | Hamilton Wildlife, or bag it yourself if it’s small and easy to reach (see below) |
| An animal that may have bitten or scratched someone | Contact a doctor or public health first, then call us about the animal if needed |
How do you find a dead animal in a wall or attic?
We find dead animals by the smell, by flies or beetles gathering in one spot, by stains on ceilings or walls and by tracing the entry points animals use. We follow the odour to the strongest point and check the attic, soffits and vents. Most animals are reached without major demolition.
Common signs:
- A strong, sweet, rotten smell that gets worse on warm days
- Flies or maggots around a baseboard, outlet, vent or ceiling light
- A wet or brown stain on drywall or the ceiling
- Recent wildlife activity (scratching) that suddenly stopped
How does dead animal removal work?
Dead animal removal has five steps: locate, remove, clean, deodorize and seal. We find the animal, remove it and any contaminated nesting or insulation, disinfect the area, treat the lingering odour, and close the gap the animal came in through. That last step matters. Most animals that die inside a home got in through an opening that’s still there.
- Locate. Odour tracing and inspection of the attic, walls, vents and crawl space.
- Access. Through the attic, a vent or another existing opening when possible.
- Remove. The animal is bagged and removed from the property.
- Clean and disinfect. Contaminated insulation, nesting and fluids are removed and the area is treated.
- Deodorize. Odour treatment for the remaining smell.
- Seal the entry. Find and seal how it got in so another animal doesn’t use the same opening.
How long does a dead animal smell last?
A dead mouse in a wall can smell for one to two weeks. A squirrel, rat or bird often smells for two to four weeks, and a raccoon or skunk can smell for a month or more. Heat makes it worse. Removing the animal and cleaning the area ends the smell much sooner than waiting it out.
| Animal | Typical odour if left in place |
|---|---|
| Mouse | ~1–2 weeks |
| Rat, squirrel, bird, chipmunk | ~2–4 weeks |
| Raccoon, skunk, opossum | Several weeks or more |
These are general ranges; temperature, humidity and airflow all change them.
Is it safe to remove a dead animal myself?
You can safely remove a small dead animal that’s easy to reach, such as a mouse or bird in a yard, if you wear disposable gloves, use a shovel or an inverted bag, double-bag it and wash your hands. Call a professional if it’s inside a wall or attic, large, or may have had rabies.
Dead wildlife can carry parasites (fleas, ticks, mites) and bacteria, and raccoons, skunks and bats can carry rabies. Never handle a bat with bare hands, dead or alive.
How much does dead animal removal cost in Hamilton?
The dead animal removal fee is $250. After we inspect, we’ll confirm the scope before any work starts — for example if sealing or extra cleanup is needed beyond the removal itself. Call 289-799-3655 to book.
Frequently asked questions
Will the City of Hamilton remove a dead animal from my property?
The City of Hamilton generally removes dead animals from roads and public property, not from inside homes or from private yards, decks and sheds. For those, homeowners hire a private company. Check the current rules on hamilton.ca or call the City, as the details can change.
Why did an animal die in my wall or attic?
Most animals that die inside homes were living there already. Mice and rats often die after eating poison bait, then decay in walls where nobody can reach them. Squirrels, birds and young raccoons can get trapped when an opening is sealed while they’re inside or when they fall into a wall cavity. The entry point is almost always still open.
Can you remove a dead skunk or raccoon from under my deck?
Yes. Dead skunks, raccoons, opossums and groundhogs under decks, sheds and porches are a common call in Hamilton. We get the animal out, treat the area for odour and seal the gap so another animal doesn’t move into the same den.
How fast can you come?
Dead animal odour is unpleasant but rarely an emergency. Call 289-799-3655 with where you smell it and how long it’s been. If we miss you after hours, leave a message — we return calls when we’re back on shift. Odour in a bedroom, kitchen or a business open to the public is prioritized when we can.
Do you serve Stoney Creek, Ancaster and Dundas?
Yes. Hamilton Wildlife offers dead animal removal, odour treatment and entry-point sealing across Hamilton, including the Hamilton Mountain and the lower city, plus Stoney Creek, Ancaster and Dundas. If you aren’t sure we cover your street, call 289-799-3655 and we’ll confirm.
Related wildlife services
If the animal is still alive — or you want prevention after removal — see our pages for raccoon removal, skunk removal, squirrel removal, bird removal, mice control and rat removal. For a general overview, start at Hamilton wildlife removal or contact us. Wildlife removal in Ancaster has its own page.