1. Describe and locate
The team asks where the smell is strongest, how long it has been there and what could have died, then plans the search.
Burgettstown, PA · Washington County
Found a dead raccoon, opossum or rodent on your Burgettstown 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.
Carcass removal is the safe handling and disposal of a dead animal, whether it is a mouse in a wall, a raccoon in an attic or a larger animal on a property. Crews wear gloves and respirators because fluids can carry germs.
Want a dead animal removed from your Burgettstown property without a mess? You can call Burgettstown Biohazard Cleanup Help from anywhere in Washington County. Cleanup technicians work discreetly and keep family members, tenants and staff away from the area.
About 93% of homes in Burgettstown were built before 1980, and older houses often have more gaps, chimneys and crawl spaces where animals can get in and die. Summers in Burgettstown are milder, with July highs around 83 degrees, but a dead animal inside a closed wall or attic still breaks down and smells within a few days.
A typical dead animal removal & cleanup job includes:
The team asks where the smell is strongest, how long it has been there and what could have died, then plans the search.
Barriers keep odor and dust from spreading while technicians suit up and open access to the space.
Insulation, carpet, padding or drywall that absorbed fluids are cut out, bagged and removed.
Joists, subfloors and walls are disinfected and deodorized, and the crew lists any repairs for other trades.
Dead animal removal & cleanup in Burgettstown, PA typically costs $150 to $250, depending on the size of the affected area and the materials involved.
Where the animal is located is the biggest factor. An animal in plain sight on a garage floor is quick to remove, while one inside a wall may need access work and more time.
| 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.
Do not touch it bare-handed. Wear heavy gloves, place it in a heavy bag, seal it and dispose of it according to local rules. Wash your hands well afterward. If it is large or you are unsure, call for help.
Dead animals can carry bacteria, parasites and viruses that pass to people and pets through touch or contaminated surfaces. Wild animals may also carry illnesses such as rabies. Avoid contact and let a cleanup team handle removal.
You do not have to handle it alone. A cleanup team can remove the body with care, clean bedding and floors, and disinfect the area. It is done privately and gently, so the family is spared the hardest part.
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.
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.
It depends on the lease and local law. Tenants should tell the landlord or property manager right away. A landlord, an attorney or a tenant rights group can say who is responsible.
Call (877) 812-4220 to talk through removal, cleanup and odor control.
Call (877) 812-4220