So you’ve finally got your animal infestation under control but can’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet because of the lingering odor in your home? Unfortunately, this is a common problem for homeowners recovering from a pest or rodent infestation. Along with the emotional stress and hygiene concerns, persistent smells from urine, droppings, or even decomposing animals can serve as constant reminders of your former unwelcome guests.
While there are some DIY methods that can bring relief, persistent odors often require professional attention to fully restore freshness and comfort to your home. In cases like these, contact your local professional odor remediation service for the best solution to ensure long-lasting results.
However, understanding the root causes of these odors, some DIY odor solutions you can try, and how a professional odor removal company tackles cleaning after an infestation can help you swiftly return your home to a comfortable, odor-free state.
What Causes Odor After an Animal Infestation?
After an infestation, unpleasant odors can linger due to several causes. Understanding what’s contributing to the smell is key to eliminating it. Here are the most common culprits for post-infestation odor in your home:
Urine & Droppings
Animal urine, droppings, or nesting material are major culprits of post-infestation odors. Rodents, in particular, leave behind waste that seeps into carpets, floors, and walls, which can expose you to disease and cause odors that are difficult to remove. Even after the animals are gone, these remains can continue to produce foul smells if not properly cleaned.
Dead Animals
If you’ve ever had creatures like mice and rats die somewhere in your house without realizing it, you know the stench that follows. Animals of every size, even the smallest mice, leave a powerful and unforgettable odor as they decay, making it hard to forget their presence long after they’re gone.
Bug Odor
Different insect infestations can leave behind distinct and often unpleasant smells that persist even after the pests are gone. Here are some of the pests associated with common odors:
- Cockroaches: Emit a musty, oily odor due to oleic acid, which becomes stronger as the infestation grows.
- Bed Bugs: Produce a sweet, musty odor often compared to moldy clothes or cilantro.
- Termites: Give off a scent similar to mold or damp leaves, often mistaken for water damage.
- Stink Bugs: Release an acrid odor described as a mix of skunk, cilantro, and ammonia, especially when crushed.
5 DIY Odor Solutions After an Animal Infestation
Depending on the exact source of your odor and the severity of the infestation, you may be able to clear the smell out of your home yourself—or at least freshen the air a bit while you wait for a professional odor remediation service.
Here are some quick DIY steps to take so you can get some relief from lingering odor after an infestation in your home:
- Thorough Cleaning: Start with a deep clean of all affected areas. Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and hard surfaces, and wash any fabrics or linens that may have absorbed the smell.
- Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, furniture, and any affected areas. Let it sit overnight, then vacuum it up to neutralize lingering odors.
- Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Apply to affected areas and blot with a clean cloth. Vinegar is effective at neutralizing bad smells.
- Enzymatic Cleaners: Use enzyme-based cleaners designed for pet odors. These break down the organic matter responsible for persistent smells.
- Air Purification: Open windows to ventilate the space. If you have an air purifier with HEPA and activated carbon filters, use it to help remove airborne particles and odors.
Remember, professional odor removal is most likely necessary for severe infestations or persistent odors. A professional odor remediation company has the advanced equipment, products, and expertise to tackle stubborn odors that can’t be removed with DIY methods.
Be Cautious With DIY Cleaning for Animal Infestations
While DIY solutions may offer temporary relief, they often fail to address the root cause of the odor. There are also some potential risks of trying to handle the cleanup after an infestation in your home yourself:
- Ineffectiveness: DIY methods might mask the smell, but they rarely eliminate the source of the odor completely. This can lead to recurring problems and ongoing health risks.
- Chemical exposure: Improper use of cleaning products can be hazardous, especially if certain chemicals (like bleach and ammonia) are mixed, creating toxic fumes.
- Health risks: Handling contaminated materials without proper protection can expose you to pathogens and allergens left behind by the infestation.
- Environmental impact: Incorrect use of pesticides can harm local ecosystems and beneficial insects.
- Property damage: Using the wrong products or techniques may damage surfaces or fabrics in your home, leading to costly repairs.
How Professional Odor Remediation Works
For severe infestations, professional odor removal is often the only solution. A professional odor remediation service can handle the situation with specialized tools and techniques designed for long-lasting results.
Here are some of the methods professionals use that require expertise and specialized tools:
Assess & Identify
The first step is a thorough assessment of your property to identify the exact source of the odor. Professionals will pinpoint areas that need special attention and create a tailored plan to address the issue.
Source Removal
Simply masking the smell won’t work. A professional odor remediation specialist will remove any remaining contaminants, such as urine, droppings, or dead animals, from the property to eliminate the root cause of the odor.
Thermal Fogging
Thermal fogging is used to penetrate deep into walls, floors, and fabrics. It works by dispersing a heated deodorizing fog that neutralizes odors on a molecular level, ensuring thorough treatment of hard-to-reach areas.
Ozone Treatment
Ozone treatment involves using ozone generators to remove airborne contaminants. This powerful technique breaks down odor molecules, leaving your home smelling fresh and clean. It’s particularly effective for stubborn smells like smoke or decay.
Air Scrubbers
Air scrubbers filter out particles and improve air quality. These devices remove odor-causing particles from the air, ensuring a fresh-smelling environment.
Ventilation Cleaning
Odors can settle into HVAC systems, spreading throughout your home. Ventilation cleaning involves cleaning and deodorizing air ducts and vents to remove trapped odors and ensure fresh airflow throughout your house.
Odor Removal Done Right With BROADCO
Dealing with lingering odors after an animal infestation can be frustrating, especially when DIY methods fall short. BROADCO Property Restoration provides professional odor remediation that tackles the root cause of the problem. With advanced techniques like thermal fogging, ozone treatment, and ventilation cleaning, our team makes certain that your home is fully deodorized and safe.
Don’t live with unpleasant reminders of infestations of the past, trust BROADCO to eliminate odors and restore freshness to your home.
Comprehensive Restoration with BROADCO in Macomb, MI
From odor remediation to water, fire, and storm damage restoration, BROADCO Property Restoration has been a trusted partner to our Michigan neighbors facing property damage for over 25 years. We are a family-owned and operated company, available 24/7 to restore your property and peace of mind.
Call us at (877) 910-4058 to schedule a free inspection. Headquartered in Macomb, MI, we proudly serve Macomb, Warren, Ann Arbor, Sterling Heights, Brighton, Troy, and surrounding areas.