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.
Berkeley, CA · Alameda County
Is there a dead animal in a Berkeley wall, attic or crawl space? Call (877) 812-4220. Cleanup technicians locate the carcass, bag it for disposal, remove soaked materials and sanitize the space.
If anyone is in danger, call 911 first. For a suicide crisis, call or text 988.
Dead animal cleanup in attics and crawl spaces often means removing insulation, treating joists and subfloors, and sealing contaminated waste. Soaked materials hold odor even after the animal is removed.
For dead animal problems in Berkeley, you get cleanup that starts where wildlife or pest control stops. Call Berkeley Biohazard Cleanup Help and the team removes carcasses, soaked insulation and nesting debris, then sanitizes and deodorizes in Alameda County.
With a vacancy rate of 11% in Berkeley, a dead animal in an unused building may sit for weeks before anyone finds it. About 81% of homes in Berkeley were built before 1980, and older houses often have more gaps, chimneys and crawl spaces where animals can get in and die.
A typical dead animal removal & cleanup job 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 and any nesting debris are removed, and fluid-soaked materials are cut out and replaced later.
Remaining surfaces are disinfected, the air is treated, and the owner is walked through what was done.
Most dead animal removal & cleanup jobs in Berkeley, CA 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 |
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.
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.
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.
Sometimes. A small animal in plain sight can be bagged with gloves and a heavy bag, sealed and disposed of properly. Hidden, large or long-dead animals are a different job, because fluids soak into materials and germs can spread.
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.
The crew follows the odor, checks vents, attic access and crawl spaces, and looks for flies and stains. Sometimes a small camera or a small opening in drywall is needed. Once the animal is found, it is removed and the area is cleaned.
For work in an attic or crawl space, many people stay in the home while the crew works with containment. For heavy odor or large animals, you may prefer to be away. The team will say what makes sense for your situation.
Call (877) 812-4220 any hour and describe the smell and where it is strongest.
Call (877) 812-4220