Possums
The most common roof-void call-out in Ryde. Protected in NSW, so removal has to be handled the right way.
Dead animal removal · Ryde 2112
Dead animal removal in Ryde
A possum in the roof void, a rat behind the dishwasher, a bird in the ceiling: by the time you notice the smell, the animal has usually been there for days. We find it, remove it, treat the area and close the route it used.
- Same dayWhere possible
- 7 days7am–7pm
- Roof & subfloorCavities too
01 — What we remove
Possums, rats, birds and the occasional surprise
Most call-outs are one of four things. We remove the animal, check what it was using to get in, and treat the space it left behind.
Rats & mice
Usually in the ceiling, subfloor or behind an appliance. We remove the animal and check the run it used.
Birds
Pigeons and other birds in eaves, vents and ceiling spaces. Nest material is cleared with the carcass.
Other animals
Cats, lizards and anything else that has died in a cavity or yard. If we can't help, we'll say who can.
Possums are protected in New South Wales. We'll talk through the right approach for your situation and refer you on where a different permit or specialist is needed.
02 — Signs
Six signs something has died in the house
The smell is the obvious one. These are the others we hear about on the phone, usually a few days before anyone lifts a manhole.
A smell that builds
A heavy, sweet smell that gets stronger over three to five days, usually worst in one room.
Flies at a vent
Blowflies gathering around a ceiling vent, downlight or wall socket.
A spreading stain
A dark patch on the ceiling or cornice, often with a faint outline.
Scratching that stops
You heard something in the roof for days, then it went quiet.
Pets fixated on a spot
The dog or cat won't leave a cupboard, wall or patch of floor alone.
Ants in a line
Ants trailing to a wall or cavity can be feeding on something behind it.
03 — Where they get stuck
The six places we look first
Ryde's older homes have roomy roof cavities, timber subfloors and a lot of small gaps. An animal that gets in usually picks one of these.
Roof void
The first place to look. Possums, rats and birds all use the same manhole and eaves.
Ceiling insulation
A carcass can sit under or inside batts, which hold the smell long after removal.
Subfloor
Ventilated but dark. Rats and cats get under timber floors and don't always get back out.
Wall cavity
Often found by the smell at a power point or a stain on the skirting.
Garden & retaining walls
Possums, rats and lizards in rock walls, compost and under decks.
Bins & commercial sites
Café bin areas, loading docks and strata stores. After-hours access where needed.
04 — How it runs
Four steps, usually one visit
No mystery and no "we'll see when we get there". We tell you where the animal is, how it got in and what happens next.
0488 111 111-
01
2 minutes
Tell us what you've noticed
Which room, how long, and whether you've heard anything. Two minutes is enough to book the right visit.
-
02
On site
We trace the source
Roof void, subfloor, cavity or yard. We follow the smell and the signs until we find the animal.
-
03
Same visit
Remove and treat
The animal is bagged and removed, and the immediate area is treated for odour and flies.
-
04
Before we leave
Close the route
Where the entry is accessible, we close it and note what we found on the report.
05 — Why it can't wait
It won't resolve on its own
A dead animal left in a roof or wall cavity doesn't just smell. It keeps attracting flies and can draw other pests to the same space.
- The smell spreads through ceiling and wall cavities, not just the room below.
- Blowflies can reach a carcass within hours and are hard to clear once they spread.
- Rats and possums use the same gaps; removing one without proofing invites the next.
06 — The run
Across the Ryde district
Roof voids, subfloors and backyards from Ryde to Chatswood West. If you're outside the list, call and we'll say straight away whether it's on our run.
One small team, so the person you speak to knows the streets.
- Ryde2112
- West Ryde2114
- North Ryde2113
- East Ryde2113
- Meadowbank2114
- Denistone2114
- Denistone East2112
- Denistone West2114
- Melrose Park2114
- Putney2112
- Tennyson Point2111
- Gladesville2111
- Macquarie Park2113
- Marsfield2122
- Eastwood2122
- Chatswood West2067
07 — Questions
Dead animal questions
The things people ask before they book. If your question isn't here, ring the line — a technician answers, not a script.
Not sure what you're dealing with?
0488 111 111
Seven days, 7am–7pm. Describe the smell and we'll take it from there.
How quickly can you get here?
Same-day where the schedule allows. Call the line and we'll tell you what's available before booking anything.
How long does the smell last after removal?
Most homes notice a clear improvement within a day or two once the animal is out and the area is treated. Timber, insulation and plaster can hold odour longer, so we'll tell you if the space needs more than a surface treatment.
I can smell it but can't find where it's coming from. Can you still help?
Yes. Smell travels through ceiling and wall cavities, so the strongest room isn't always the source. We trace it through the roof void, subfloor and service penetrations.
Do you have to cut a hole in the ceiling?
Usually not. Most Ryde homes have a manhole or subfloor access. If a cavity needs opening, we explain why and where before any cutting.
Are possums protected in NSW?
Yes. That changes how removal has to be handled. Tell us what you've seen and we'll advise on the right approach, including a referral where a different specialist is needed.
Do you clean and deodorise the area?
We remove the animal and treat the immediate area. If insulation, plaster or timber has absorbed odour, we'll explain what else is needed rather than masking it.
Can you stop another animal getting in?
Where the entry point is accessible, we close it during the visit and record it on the report. Larger proofing work can be discussed separately.
Do you attend commercial sites?
Yes — cafés, warehouses, offices and strata buildings. We can work around opening hours and bin-run schedules.
Same-day where possible
Something has died in the roof. Let's get it out.
Call the line or send the form. Tell us which room smells strongest and we'll book the next available visit.
Seven days · 7am–7pm · Ryde 2112
08 — Book a call-out
Tell us what you've noticed
A suburb, the room that smells worst, and whether you've heard anything. That's enough to book the right visit.
Request a dead animal call-out
Prefer to talk? 0488 111 111No call-out fee. No obligation. We reply the same business day, usually within a couple of hours.
Request received — thank you.
A technician will call to confirm access and a time. If it's urgent, ring 0488 111 111.