1. Walk the space
A cleanup technician checks the attic, crawl space and walls near the smell, looking for fluid stains and flies.
Wilton, ME · Franklin County
Found a dead raccoon, opossum or rodent on your Wilton property? Keep pets away and call (877) 812-4220 to get carcass removal, cleanup of the area and disinfection.
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.
In Wilton, a dead animal is both a smell problem and a health matter for you and your household. Call Wilton Biohazard Cleanup Help for help anywhere in Franklin County. Crews use protective gear, remove contaminated materials and check the area before handing it back.
About 40% of housing in Franklin County is vacant, and empty homes, sheds and outbuildings are common places for animals to die unnoticed. Many homes in Wilton, about 89%, were built before 1980. Older insulation and wood framing soak up fluids and hold odor for a long time.
What dead animal removal & cleanup covers:
A cleanup technician checks the attic, crawl space and walls near the smell, looking for fluid stains and flies.
The work zone is sealed off, and the animal is removed with care for the family, especially when it is a pet.
Insulation, carpet, padding or drywall that absorbed fluids are cut out, bagged and removed.
Surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, odor is treated at its source, and the crew checks the finished area.
Dead animal removal & cleanup in Wilton, ME typically costs $150 to $250, depending on the size of the affected area and the materials involved.
How long the animal has been there affects the job. Longer decomposition means more fluids in insulation and framing, and stronger odor.
| 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.
Open windows where it is safe, keep children and pets away, and try to note where the smell is strongest. Do not tear open walls. Call Wilton Biohazard Cleanup Help at (877) 812-4220 to talk through the safest next step.
The smell comes from the carcass and any fluids, so the animal has to be found and removed. Air fresheners only cover it. After removal, the area is cleaned and treated, which usually clears the smell.
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.
As an animal decomposes, bacteria break down tissue and release gases with a strong, sickly-sweet smell. In an enclosed wall or attic, that odor has nowhere to go and spreads through the house. Removing the source is the only real fix.
Insulation soaks up fluids and odor and cannot be reliably cleaned. Leaving it in place means the smell can return. Replacement insulation is usually a separate job.
Hard surfaces, wood framing and items in sealed containers can usually be cleaned and kept. Insulation, carpet, padding and drywall that soaked up fluids are generally removed. The crew sorts items with you before anything is thrown out.
Tell the team what you found and it explains the next step.
Call (877) 812-4220