What to Do When You Find a Dead Rat in Your House

There’s nothing quite like the shock of discovering a dead rat inside your home. Whether it’s in the garage, attic, or tucked away behind a wall, that smell and sight is something you don’t soon forget. And as unsettling as it is, what you do next matters—not just for your comfort, but for your health and safety.

Below, we’ll walk you through each step of what to do when you find a dead rat in your house, so you can clean up safely, reduce health risks, and prevent future rodent problems.

Key Takeaways

Protective gear like gloves and a mask is needed before getting close to a dead rat in your home.
The dead rat should be bagged and the area disinfected to stop the spread of germs and fleas.
A strong smell or rat droppings could mean more rats are hiding somewhere in your walls or attic.
A rodent control expert can remove rats, seal entry points, and help prevent another infestation later on.

Put on Protective Gear

Before you get anywhere near a dead rat carcass, suit up.

Rats can carry harmful bacteria and viruses, including hantavirus, which can be transmitted through their droppings, urine, and even their decomposing bodies.

Make sure you wear rubber gloves and, if possible, a mask to avoid breathing in airborne particles, especially in enclosed spaces like a crawl space or attic.

Carefully Dispose of the Dead Rat

Use a plastic bag to carefully scoop up the dead rodent. If it’s already decomposing or covered in maggots, consider double-bagging it for extra protection.

Avoid using bare hands, even with a paper towel—rats carry fleas, and their bodies can still transmit diseases. Seal the bag tightly and place it in an outdoor garbage can with a secure lid.

Clean and Disinfect the Area Thoroughly

Once the rat is removed, you’ll need to clean up the area where it was found.

Do not sweep or vacuum the area—this can send harmful particles into the air. Instead, spray the area with a disinfectant or a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water.

Let it sit for at least five minutes before wiping it clean. This helps kill any bacteria or viruses left behind by the rat or any droppings nearby.

Check for Droppings, Urine, and Nesting Material

Even if the rat is gone, its evidence might still be around.

Rat droppings, nesting materials like shredded paper or insulation, and dark, greasy marks along walls or floorboards are signs of a larger rodent infestation.

If you see droppings, clean them using the same disinfecting method. Don’t touch them directly.

Inspect for Entry Points

Finding a dead rat in your home often means there’s a way in—and possibly more rats. Do a thorough inspection of your home’s exterior and interior, especially around roof vents, crawl spaces, garages, and attics.

Rats only need a hole the size of a quarter to squeeze through.

Common entry points include gaps in drywall, around pipes, or under doors. Seal up anything you find to prevent more rats from getting in.

Address the Smell of a Dead Rat

If you found the dead rat, that awful, dead animal smell will likely linger. The methane and other gases released during decomposition can stick around for days or even weeks.

Air fresheners and deodorizers might help temporarily, but they won’t eliminate the source. Consider using an odor neutralizer or a charcoal-based deodorizer near the affected area.

If the smell persists and you can’t find the source, you might have a rat carcass hidden in a wall cavity or other inaccessible area.

Watch for Fleas or Other Critters

A decomposing rat isn’t just gross—it can attract other pests like flies, maggots, or even more rodents. Fleas from a dead rat can spread quickly, especially if you have pets.

If you notice new bug activity or itching pets, it’s time to talk to a pest control professional.

Avoid Using Rat Poison Indoors

You might be tempted to get rid of rats using bait or poison, but this usually leads to bigger problems. They often die in inaccessible places like wall voids or insulation, causing a dead mouse smell or worse—a full-blown infestation of maggots and other scavengers.

We never recommend using poison inside for this reason.

To get rid of them without poison, snap traps are a better alternative because they let you know exactly where the rodent died.

Schedule a Rodent Inspection and Removal

If you’ve found one dead rat, there’s a good chance you’ve got a rodent problem. Rats are social animals, and where there’s one, there are usually more.

At Native Pest Management, our rodent control program starts with a detailed inspection to identify entry points and any active infestations.

We use snap traps, seal up entry holes, and return multiple times a week to check traps. If needed, we also offer attic sanitation to remove droppings and odors.

Prevent Future Infestations

Once the rat is gone and your home is cleaned up, prevention is key. Keep garbage cans sealed, clean up crumbs and pet food, and store pantry items in airtight containers. They are smart, and if they find an easy meal, they’ll keep coming back.

If you’re dealing with dead rats, strange smells, or signs of a rodent infestation, pest control companies can offer professional rat removal services throughout South Florida.\