Light switch smells like dead animal? That’s because there probably is a dead animal behind the light switch.
In my experience as an electrician, light switch cavities are often the location of the untimely death of animals, particularly rodents. They like to crawl into wall cavities and make nests behind light switches, which isn’t great for them when they cross the phase and neutral wires.
Before we go any further, it’s also important to point out that a light switch smelling like a dead animal might be caused by something more serious such as an electrical fault.
In fact, a dead animal behind the light switch might be shorting out the switch contacts and causing sparks and burning.
In this case, it would be a good idea to consult with a registered electrician rather than attempting to try and fix this yourself.
This post will discuss these two likely reasons why your light switch smells like dead animal.
Light Switch Smells Like Dead Animal? – Reason #1
Dead Animal Behind Light Switch
Firstly, let’s talk about what kind of animal might be behind the light switch.
In our experience, it is most likely a mouse or a rat. Both of these rodents, once they are inside of a wall cavity, are known to make nests in the space behind light switches and power outlets.
Compared to the rest of the wall which contains some type of insulation, the space behind a light switch probably seems like a nice place for a nest. That is, until they touch the phase terminal.
Before you go ahead and consider looking behind the light switch, it is important to consider a more serious reason why your light switch smells like dead animal.
Light Switch Smells Like Dead Animal? – Reason #2
Burning Insulation Or Plastic
Sometimes the smell of dead animal might be mistaken for the smell of burning insulation or burning plastic of the light switch.
The insulation around wires can give a bad but distinctive smell when it burns. The fault could either be a short circuit or overload. This could be the reason why your light switch smells like dead animal.
Light Switch Smells Like Dead Animal?
How To Check Why The Light Switch Smells Like Dead Animal
Electrical Fault?
If the smell was caused by an electrical fault, as opposed to a dead animal, then the switch shouldn’t work.
The lights or whatever is controlled by the switch shouldn’t be operating.
The switch might feel weird when you press. It might look discolored. These are symptoms of the switch melting internally. If you notice anything like this with the switch then the cause is most likely an electrical fault.
If the switch isn’t working, go and check your switchboard. Try and locate the breaker for the switch. If the circuit breaker is down, try and reset it.
If the breaker trips immediately, then the cause of the smell is probably an electrical fault.
There might be loose or broken wires in the switch, a faulty light fitting, faulty breaker or a range of other issues.
In this case you should contact someone experienced to resolve the problem.
Dead Animal?
Now if the switch still works or the circuit breaker has been reset but doesn’t trip again then the smell is probably caused by a dead animal.
The likely cause of events is the rodent got shocked, tripped the breaker (or not), and is why the light switch smells like dead animal.
Of course, it might be an electrical fault AND a dead animal…
Next Steps
Before attempting to do anything, it is important to consider your own safety. Do not attempt to do any work which you aren’t experienced or confident to do. Always leave it to the professionals.