1. Find the source
The crew follows the odor, checks vents, attic access and crawl spaces, and opens a small section only when needed.
High Desert, Albuquerque, NM · Bernalillo County
Found a dead raccoon, opossum or rodent on your High Desert 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.
Dead animal removal and cleanup is the safe removal of an animal carcass from a wall, attic, vent, crawl space, yard or home, followed by cleaning, disinfecting and odor treatment of the area.
People in High Desert and across Bernalillo County call High Desert Biohazard Cleanup Help when an animal has died somewhere hard or unpleasant to reach. You get a cleanup team that explains each step and sorts what can be kept from what has to be discarded.
Most housing in Albuquerque is occupied, with a vacancy rate of about 6%, so a smell is usually noticed quickly, but wall voids and crawl spaces still hide carcasses. Older and newer homes in Albuquerque both hide dead animals in wall voids, and cleanup in each follows the same steps: find, remove, disinfect, deodorize.
A typical dead animal removal & cleanup job includes:
The crew follows the odor, checks vents, attic access and crawl spaces, and opens a small section only when needed.
The team sets up protective equipment and creates safe access, using a camera or a small opening when the animal is hidden.
Wood, concrete and drywall are washed and disinfected, and heavily stained porous materials are replaced.
Remaining surfaces are disinfected, the air is treated, and the owner is walked through what was done.
Dead animal removal & cleanup in High Desert, Albuquerque, NM typically costs $150 to $250, depending on the size of the affected area and the materials involved.
Which materials are soaked changes the scope. Insulation and carpet come out easily, while drywall, subfloor and cabinets add labor and disposal.
| Type of job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
| Dead animal removal | $150 - $250 |
These ranges come from published cost guides (Bob Vila, HomeAdvisor) and are not a quote for High Desert. Price drivers include where the animal is, whether walls must be opened, size of the animal, odor and cleanup afterward. For a real number, call (877) 812-4220.
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.
Yes. Animals can die inside ducts, and the heating and cooling system then moves the odor through every room. Cleanup includes removing the animal and treating vents and duct openings.
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.
It is not a good idea. The odor can last for weeks, flies and other pests may follow, and fluids can stain drywall and insulation. Removal and cleanup are safer and faster than waiting.
Rules for removing and disposing of dead animals vary by city and county, and animal services handle public property in many places. Worker safety follows OSHA rules for contaminated materials. Ask your city or county what applies where you are.
See all biohazard cleanup services in High Desert, Albuquerque, NM →
Tell the team what you found and it explains the next step.
Call (877) 812-4220