BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Peace
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 11:30 PM

Notify the fire department first.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Bert
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 11:26 PM

Scrub with ammonia.

Dry it off with a blow torch and scorch the surface just a little.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 02:40 PM

Do we feel a parody coming on to Mussels In The Corner?

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: frogprince
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 10:01 AM

Weird Smell in Corner? Is that a song, or a group? Either way, sorry, never heard of it.



Oh...this is was a B.S. thread...



never mind...

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Rasener
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 06:41 AM

OMG I think I would have had a heart attack, if that happened to me LOL

I don't think the faldingers would be too pleased either if I turned up like that :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 05:35 AM

How disappointing! I had fondly imagined you pottering to the bottom of the garden looking like this... or hosting Faldingworth Live looking like this! Respect to the man in the scary folk beard, by the way!

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Rasener
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 04:12 AM

No, I just googled, took a couple of minutes to find that one.

I was so intrigued about your issues, I just wanted to see if anybody else had reported similar situations.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 05:19 PM

How strange! But if you don't mind me asking, The Villan, do you spend a lot of time on beekeeping forums? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 05:15 PM

Have a look at this thread Spleen cringe

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231980

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: frogprince
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 10:37 AM

An even older human ancester???

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Mrrzy
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 10:02 AM

Let us know what - or whom - you find!

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 09:02 AM

"Does it make you cringe?"

From time to time, yes ;-)

Thanks for all the helpful and the downright silly responses. I used to be a bass player so maybe it's me making the smell...

As it's an old Victorian terrace (row house, I think, to US 'Catters) and the smell is from near the adjoining wall with my neighbour and it isn't a cavity wall, I don't think anything can be trapped (also he doesn't get the smell in his corner).

Thanks to Mudcat I'm going to:

- Get into the crawl space with a flashlight and a small trowel;
- Look into enzymes - whether it be scary looking cleansing products       or washing powder;
- Hope like mad I don't have to take Gnu's advice and rip the floorboards up!

I don't think any bees were involved - the honey smell is almost certainly non-bee in origin.

Thanks again for all your suggestions!

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Smokey.
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 01:07 AM

No, it was false.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Peace
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 11:20 PM

Did he have a grunion on his bass foot?

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Smokey.
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 11:11 PM

Used to have a drummer that smelt like that..

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 10:53 PM

Our goldfish had a bladder infection and the stench was very much as you describe it. COULD THAT BE IT??

Art

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Alice
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 10:42 PM

Found this googling bad odors and honey:

honey will rot as it ages. Spoiled
honey smells bad and the odor will eventually find
it's way into living areas. And if the bad smell
doesn't prompt a thorough cleanup, the damage
of it as it leaks through wall and ceilings most
certainly will. Aging honey combs will decompose
and as they break down, the rancid honey will
ooze through walls. Dark spots on walls and ceilings
are a sure sign of rotting honey and most nests
hold enough honey to cause this type of damage
following bee removal.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Alice
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 10:31 PM

Does it make you cringe?

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: maeve
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 10:17 PM

Peace- Good one.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Smokey.
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 10:03 PM

Perhaps an exorcist could help. Is there a whiff of sulphur?

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 09:49 PM

It might be in the walls or in the sub-floor. Maybe somebody doused the place in ammonia trying to get rid of an animal pee smell.

Of course, ammonia is one thing I've heard of people using to get rid of bees, and if it smells like ammonia AND honey, maybe that's what it is.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Peace
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 09:43 PM

Spleen Cringe: you haven't said whether you like it or not.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Peace
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 09:41 PM

Ah, yes . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 09:38 PM

Inhaling eau de skunk here in Maine. Fortunately, none of my charges were involved. But Seamus is just about standing on his head hoping to get outside. He loves the smell of skunk.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Peace
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 09:36 PM

. . . but leave it hanging in the sun for at least a week. As the meat pulls away from the bones, THEN put in in the opposite corner.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Smokey.
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 09:33 PM

Hang a dead goat in the opposite corner.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Alice
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 07:44 PM

black light for finding pet urine stains

click here

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 07:28 PM

If it's still there after two years, and strong cleaners on the floor have made no difference, then I'm with Alice. I suspect it's in the wall. Dead rat.

However, cat urine can be found in the dark using an ultraviolet light. We bought one when our beloved cat developed kidney trouble and...

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: bubblyrat
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 05:06 PM

Sounds to me like a FarterGeist.These are quite malignant,and can prove difficult to deal with.You probably need the services of a FarterGeist MeisterHeister....there are several operating out of Frankfart,I believe.Hope this helps.
                Rudi

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Rasener
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 03:35 PM

Still doesn't seem to affect appearing on Eastenders :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 03:07 PM

Rots the nose, though, Vil....

Ouch!

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Rasener
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 03:00 PM

Well if they were going to do that, they might as well sniff cocaine :-) much more fun

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 02:47 PM

"Sniffing breaks down the enzymes? . . . Weird!"

:0) LOL

Hey, now that's a good idea! If all else fails, stand on your head, pour biological washing powder down your nose, sniff deeply and..........voila!

Do this to all your friends and guests too, and everyone will think you live in a house of flowers...

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: gnu
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 02:37 PM

Any "close to the ground" animal, such as those in the weasel family have a musk odour that is persistent.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 02:33 PM

I too was wondering about a ferret, Sorcha. A house that I moved into had a ferret problem. Luckily the previous family hadn't lived there long but even then I scrubbed and scraped and moaned about.

I wouldn't have known that it was a ferret smell if I hadn't found some photos left behind.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 02:27 PM

I'd also recheck the crawl space, poking around with a stick. Could be that the cat used the crawl space for its "personal needs" -- or had friends that did so. Poke the stick into the soil and sniff the end. Do this in several places in a logical pattern.

If it's a dead body it's up to the police to get it out.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Sorcha
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 02:19 PM

Maybe they had a male ferret? They are MUCH worse than any cat.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Ed T
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 02:10 PM

Maybe hit iz da stench hof da honey bee busted in da mix hof moldy aminal piss.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Mrrzy
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 02:09 PM

Lady cat pee isn't the problem, it's males that really stink.

Does anyone else smell the smell? You may be just so used to it that it's there for you whether you want it to be or not. If they do, then yes, I'd look in the walls for something.

But if you know a sniffer dog, that's the best. I don't think you can rent them...

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 02:05 PM

Sniffing breaks down the enzymes? . . . Weird!

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 01:58 PM

Yes ya can.

Tabitha Twitchit pissed all over my floor for 17 years...UGH! She started every morning telling me to "F Off, miaow!" too...it's where I picked up my bad language.. :0)

Soak the wood in the washing powder, then sniff...deeply...after a few hours...

Apparently, it breaks down the enzymes...

Don't ask me about them, whatever you do, 'cos I don't do the scientifact bit.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: gnu
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 01:49 PM

Liz... ya can't get cat piss out of wood flooring. It's a done deal.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 01:44 PM

If it's cats, then use Biological washing powder on it.

If it's a dead body...move.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: gnu
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 01:37 PM

Dead mouse or similar? No... that smell won't last too awful long... unless it's a dead moose which tends to linger longer.

The smell you describe makes me IMMEDIATELY think it's cat pee.

"I've since had the floor sanded and varnished." Soooo, is it hardwood flooring? I hope it is because replacement of the offending odrourous flooring will be much easier.... if it is cat piss, the only thing other than removal of the flooring that would work is a match.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: robomatic
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 01:20 PM

I don't think you can get rid of the smell without finding the source of the smell. If it's in the wood and you treat the wood, that's it. If it is behind something, and festering, you gotta get to it. The question is, what's it worth to you? Going to pry up stuff or not? In the meantime, see if you've got a nearby CSI with some sniff experts.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Alice
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 01:12 PM

Have you considered it might be inside the wall? Maybe dead mouse plus mold or something?

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: CarolC
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 01:09 PM

We bought a used sofa that had really bad dog smell in the cushions (we didn't find out until after we got it home). We used a product that uses enzymes to get rid of odors. It worked very well, and the sofa hasn't smelled bad to any noticeable degree since we used it. Here's a google search on that kind of product...

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=odor+enzyme&aq=f&aqi=g1g-m4&oq=&fp=7d15299a959dbb33

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 01:02 PM

The only suggestion I can make is Nature's Miracle. But you would have to remove the varnish to let it soak in.There are companies that specialize in this sort of cleaning. Very frustrating.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 12:57 PM

Have you checked the cellar?

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Rasener
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 12:54 PM

LOL artbrooks

I was going to suggest dead bodies :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: artbrooks
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 12:50 PM

Can't directly assist, although I would like to mention that, as I opened this thread, it was directly above "Where is Micca"...

Subject: BS: Help! Weird Smell in Corner
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 12:46 PM

When I moved into my house two and a half years ago I noticed a weird, very strong, very acrid smell in the corner of the back living room, next to the door to the cellar. I took up the rank old carpet and the even ranker old lino underneath it. I got on my hands and knees and scrubbed the area - using, variously, raw bleach and a potentially lethal cocktail of noxious cleaning products at least three times. I even soaked it in bleach. I've since had the floor sanded and varnished. I've checked in the crawl space under the room and there don't appear to be any dead bodies... even now though, when I go into that corner, the smell is still there! I think the previous owners must have had a cat litter tray there or possibly a commode...

The smell is hard to describe. It seems like a combination of very stale piss, strong honey and possibly a hint of mould, though the area does not feel or look damp.

Does anyone have any ideas? Has anyone else got this smell?