Dead Animal Removal

Wild animals on your property can be a frightening experience, and having one in your home is even more harrowing. At the very least, they leave signs of their presence, and you can deal with them accordingly. What do you do when you find a dead critter in your yard or home? Your first instinct may be to scoop the carcass up and dump it into your garbage. Unless you have the proper personal protection equipment, such as thick rubber gloves and a face shield, that is not such a good idea, and there are laws governing this as well. Dead animals, unfortunately, still pose health risks to humans. For starters, the animal's death is unknown, and if the cause is a zoonotic illness, it can be transmitted by a scratch from a sharp claw or tooth. 

Some of the more serious diseases you can get from a dead animal include rabies, which can survive for long periods in colder temperatures. In temperatures above 70 degrees, it can survive for 24 hours. Others that can be passed are tularemia, leptospirosis, and raccoon roundworm. Deer are especially dangerous to try and move on your own as they can transmit anthrax. 

The animals themselves are not the only threat. As the carcass cools, parasites like fleas and ticks look for a new host. They both are adept at finding a home for you without you even knowing. It is crucial to keep your pets away as well. Their bites put you at a greater risk of being infected with whatever disease may have killed the animal. Ticks are well-known transmitters of Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and anaplasmosis. They are also known carriers of the plague, murine typhus, and tapeworms.

If you consider burying a dead animal on your property, the State of Missouri has some strict guidelines. The animal must be buried within 24 hours of dying. The hole can be no deeper than 6 feet, and the carcass must be covered with at least six inches of soil right away and at least 30 inches overall. It should not be done in areas where flooding occurs and at least 50 feet from the property line.

This is not a good option as the decomposing carcass releases methane and hydrogen sulfide into the atmosphere. It can also contaminate soil and groundwater. In addition to the mess created, there is the chance of disease transmission and infected animal droppings dispersed on your property. There is also a chance the body is dug up by other animals looking for an easy meal.

In your home, the rancid smell is a key sign that something has died. If it is in your walls or attic, stains may suddenly appear on ceilings or drywall. There can also be insect activity around the affected areas. Some things are better left to the experts, and removing a dead animal is one of them. In Jackson and the surrounding area, SEMO Wildlife Control is the company you can trust for this difficult job. Our experts can handle your wildlife issues, whether dead or alive.