Hey everyone! So, I've run into a bit of a situation. About two weeks ago, I noticed some noises coming from above my false ceiling, which sounded like a mother cat and her kittens. I figured they'd just leave on their own, so I didn't worry too much. However, a week ago, a terrible smell started to come from the ceiling, and it's been persistent ever since. I couldn't find anything when I checked, and the space is really hard to access without tearing down the ceiling.
A pest control team thinks there's probably a dead kitten up there, but they advised that the only solution involves breaking a hole in the ceiling, which I'd prefer to avoid unless it's absolutely necessary. For reference, this false ceiling was installed after the main structure was built, and I recently noticed a small hole that likely allowed the cat entry.
So, does anyone have any tips or tricks to help eliminate this odor, ideally within about a week? I've tried regular air fresheners, but they're not doing anything!
3 Answers
While it’s tempting to look for a quick fix, the odor will likely persist until you remove the source. If you want to pinpoint where to cut, it might be worth waiting a bit to see if a stain appears on the ceiling from the rotting body. Still, I’d recommend planning to open it up and get rid of whatever’s causing that smell.
Look, I get that you want to avoid any major work, but trying to cover up a dead animal’s smell could just make things worse in the long run. If there’s a serious odor, you might have to just bite the bullet and cut a hole to deal with it.
Honestly, it sounds like the only permanent solution is going to involve breaking into that ceiling. If there's a dead cat up there, it’s likely to attract other pests looking for a meal, so it’s best to deal with it sooner rather than later.