Performing an Odor Inspection and Removal

Review paperwork, both on your phone and on your service route log at the beginning of your day and before you travel to the bid location. Pay attention to COW notifications, client concerns, or any other special remarks.

1. Confirm the street address to make sure you are at the correct building(s).
2. Time into this account via mobile or on the paperwork. Review the Order Instructions and Location Instructions. Review your route log for hand-written notes.
3. Bring your flashlight and shoe covers to the door. Ring the doorbell or knock; step back to give personal space.
4. Greet the client, introduce yourself, and identify that you are with Good Earth Pest Company.
5. Ask about the odor issue. Be an active listener and hear their concerns. Pay attention to where the problem is observed and collect as much information as you can. If they want to show you something, then go look at it whether it helps or not it will validate their concern.
6. Next try to experience the odor yourself. Once you observe the odor, try to distinguish it’s possible source. Different sources will have different smells. Some common sources are:
   1. Standing water
   2. Sewage leak
   3. Mildew
   4. Something decaying (old food for instance)
   5. Old animal urine/feces
   6. Animal carcass – this is the only odor source that we can remove. A decaying animal carcass has a thick and sickeningly sweet smell.
7. At this point, you  may need to discuss with the client about how to proceed. If the source is an animal carcass, than you can search for it. However, if you spend time searching and they are not covered by our Premier Program, then they will be charged a service fee regardless of if the source is found. See current Pricing and Warranty guide. Make sure to fill out a service agreement and get a signature.
8. If the source is likely an animal carcass, than it’s time to narrow down the location. Hopefully it is an area that can be accessed. In most cases, we are not cutting into sheetrock to access a dead animal.

Always wear a respirator when inspecting attics and subareas (or any space with reduced air quality).

9. For odors originating from crawlspaces, you will need your crawl gear, respirator, utility knife, and headlamp/flashlight as well as an odor neutralizer (such as Bac-a-Zap).
10. In the crawlspace, look for signs of a carcass. Blow flies and Bottle flies are great indicators, so look out for these. Start in the spaces undearth the areas where the smells are strongest inside.
11. If there is sub-floor insulation, sometimes you have to look through it. DO NOT start pulling down all insulation hap hazardouly. If you have to remove insulation, be as close to the source as possible to minimize disturbance.
12. For rodent bodies, place them in your body bag and tie it closed. Treat the area with odor neutralizer.
13. If you find a large carcass on the vapor barrier, it is best to cut out the plastic around it. Pick it all up together and place it in your bag for removal.
14. Take any body found back to your vehicle. Make sure you dispose of this at the end of your day. Leaving it in your vehicle overnight is a mistake.
15. For manufactured homes with a fabric underbelly, do not cut through this without first consulting with the client. We cannot repair the hole afterwards, leaving an entry point for cold air and possibly rodents or other animals. With manufactured homes, sometimes the best solution is to wait 2 weeks and the let the smell naturally discipate.
16. Sometimes, you cannot find the odor source or it is not accessible. An odor absorbing bag can be used on the inside of the home to help make it more tolerable.
17. If the source is a rodent, that means it gained entry somehow. For client’s covered by our Premier Program, make sure to set the appropriate traps. See HS.200 Setting Rodent Traps. Review the history of the account to see if a re-inspection is appropriate. If you do not have time to do it while onsite, make notes to schedule a return visit.
18. Reconvene with the customer and review your findings and plan of action. Make sure to explain that the smell will take some time to dissipate, even if the sources was located and removed.
19. Return to your vehicle. Secure all equipment and make sure your vehicle is safe to travel.
20. Make the proper notes in PestPac and time out of your appointment. Remember: Clients have access to your notes so they should always be professional and appropriate.
21. If it was a particularly pleasant interaction be sure to send a review invite via the Podium app (see PS.150 Sending a review invite using Podium Mobile).
22. Check off the account on your service route log.