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Housekeeping

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Do dead mice smell like stinky cheese?

11 replies

carriemumsnet · 02/03/2013 22:32

Ok - the back story. Ever since the builders started tearing the house next door down we have had mice in the kitchen cupboard. We've had pest control folks - twice - and thought they mice had gone but one ran over my hand this morning (well nearly) as I went to get a jar out (much screaming - maybe I frightened it to death?). Then this afternoon we come back in and the hall stinks of really smelly French cheese - only we don't have any cheese. And I'm wondering if one of the mice has died under the floorboards and is being cooked on the underfloor heating in the kitchen (the bit that works - most of it doesn't)? Or could it be the flood we had on Friday - water coming thro the ceiling from leaky radiator... but think that would be more damp than cheese surely?
Not sure which expert you ask about stinky hallways.... but thought I'd ask some folks who might know. All help appreciated:)

OP posts:
SizzleSazz · 02/03/2013 22:34

They are kind of 'sweet' smelling. not sure i've ever smelt french cheese from them (and we have had a few)

Grange · 02/03/2013 22:36

Generally speaking, mice don't smell. Rats smell extremely bad when they die though, but the smell is more like gas.

SizzleSazz · 02/03/2013 22:37

OOh, i would beg to differ Grange - they honk, but sweetly Confused

carriemumsnet · 02/03/2013 22:39

Oh Lordy - hope it's not a rat...This is not a gas smell and definitely not sweet.
Just really strong smelly cheese. Most odd. Put me off camembert for a while that's for sure. Thanks for getting back - if anyone else has any suggestions let me know! Off to bed will check in tomorrow. Night all

OP posts:
crazynanna · 02/03/2013 22:39

I think it may be the flood...as stinky cheese is a musty smell,as is damp a musty smell.

Oh...and get a cat. No more mice running across your hand Smile

Grange · 02/03/2013 22:40

Sorry I meant when they die sizzle. Rats are known for the intense smell they excrete when they die. That's why you shouldn't really just poison them as if they die in your house the smell is very strong for a few weeks.

pirouette · 02/03/2013 22:41

It sounds as if they are still alive - their urine has a musky distinctive smell and they pee all the time as their sphincters never close. Maybe a ripe Brie ish smell.
snap traps laced with a tiny amount of peanut butter are best.

Cantbelieveitsnotbutter · 02/03/2013 22:45

They do smell, my cat likes to play hide and seek with them after they've died! Me seeking him hiding.
Its an 'off' smell which does have you going 'what is that'. I suppose the ones I've had could be described as cheese, but yes slightly sweet twang!

HazeltheMcWitch · 03/03/2013 01:10

Hmm, mouse wee normally smells of wee. Very ammonia-ish.
Dead mouse does smell sweet. A decaying, cloying sweet smell. I think dead mouse on a heater might smell a bit different - a friend had one stuck on the back of her fridge (on a hot bit), which she said smelt of cheese...

But I'd say cheesy smell is more likely to be spilt milk somewhere, or that manky bit in the fridge where water gathers (the condenser?). Or the fridge hole needs poking?

Agree that the flood would more likely smell damp. But I think vinyl flooring - or poss the adhesive used - can smell a bit cheesy?

superfluouscurves · 08/03/2013 11:33

Dead mice (have lots of experience unfortunately) smell sweet and a bit like lamb that has gone off (meaty not cheesy ifyswim)

Stinky French cheese sort of smell could be old drains/sewage issues/plumbing smell caused by flood/builders next door?? Maybe??

Hope you get to the bottom of it!

notso · 08/03/2013 11:46

The worst smell I have ever smelled was a dead mouse festering in the airing cupboard.
It was a sickly sweet mixed with boiled cabbage smell.

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