1. Keep people and pets away
Family members, tenants and animals stay out of the area while the crew prepares to enter.
Bolinas, CA · Marin County
Found a dead raccoon, opossum or rodent on your Bolinas 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.
Carcass removal is the safe handling and disposal of a dead animal, whether it is a mouse in a wall, a raccoon in an attic or a larger animal on a property. Crews wear gloves and respirators because fluids can carry germs.
People in Bolinas and across Marin County call Bolinas 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.
About 77% of homes in Bolinas were built before 1980, and older houses often have more gaps, chimneys and crawl spaces where animals can get in and die. About 39% of housing in Bolinas is vacant, and empty homes, sheds and outbuildings are common places for animals to die unnoticed.
What dead animal removal & cleanup covers:
Family members, tenants and animals stay out of the area while the crew prepares to enter.
The work zone is sealed off, and the animal is removed with care for the family, especially when it is a pet.
Bedding, flooring and other surfaces that absorbed fluids are cleaned or removed, and waste is bagged for disposal.
Surfaces are disinfected and odor is treated, so the space is comfortable to use again.
Dead animal removal & cleanup in Bolinas, CA typically costs $150 to $250, depending on the size of the affected area and the materials involved.
Access matters. Tight crawl spaces, low-clearance attics and areas behind finished walls take longer and need more protective setup.
| 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.
Open windows where it is safe, keep children and pets away, and try to note where the smell is strongest. Do not tear open walls. Call Bolinas Biohazard Cleanup Help at (877) 812-4220 to talk through the safest next step.
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.
Insulation soaks up fluids and odor and cannot be reliably cleaned. Leaving it in place means the smell can return. Replacement insulation is usually a separate job.
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.
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.
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.
A dead animal can carry germs, so protection comes first.
Call (877) 812-4220