1. Plan with the owner
The crew talks through what is known, what the smell suggests and which parts of the building may be affected.
Lykens, PA · Dauphin County
Found a dead raccoon, opossum or rodent on your Lykens 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.
Need residential or commercial dead animal cleanup in Lykens or nearby parts of Dauphin County? Wherever it is in your property, whether walls, ceilings, duct runs, chimneys, crawl spaces, porches or storage rooms, call Lykens Biohazard Cleanup Help.
Most housing in Dauphin County is occupied, with a vacancy rate of about 5%, so a smell is usually noticed quickly, but wall voids and crawl spaces still hide carcasses. About 94% of homes in Lykens were built before 1980, and older houses often have more gaps, chimneys and crawl spaces where animals can get in and die.
Dead Animal Removal & Cleanup in Lykens usually includes:
The crew talks through what is known, what the smell suggests and which parts of the building may be affected.
The team sets up protective equipment and creates safe access, using a camera or a small opening when the animal is hidden.
The carcass, nest and soaked insulation are packed out, and the area is cleaned to bare structure.
Odor is neutralized, vents and air paths are checked, and the owner receives a summary of the work.
Most dead animal removal & cleanup jobs in Lykens, PA cost between $150 and $250, based on published cost guides.
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 |
Published ranges only (Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor); every dead animal removal & cleanup job in Lykens is priced after an on-site look. Price drivers include where the animal is, whether walls must be opened, size of the animal, odor and cleanup afterward. Questions? Call (877) 812-4220.
It can be. Fluids can carry germs, and pests such as flies and fleas spread through the home. Do not touch it bare-handed, keep children and pets away and wash your hands well. People with asthma or sensitive lungs should stay out of the area.
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.
Rules vary by city and county. Animal services or public works often remove animals from public roads and property, while private property is usually the owner's responsibility. Call your city or county animal services to learn what applies.
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.
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 Lykens Biohazard Cleanup Help at (877) 812-4220 to talk through the safest next step.
On private property, you usually hire a dead animal removal service or cleanup team. Animal services may remove animals from public roads and property, and rules vary by city and county. For a hidden or large animal, describe the smell and location when you call.
Do not tear open walls. A cleanup team can find the source safely.
Call (877) 812-4220