Weird Smell in Shop

[HawkinsHollow]

There is an area in my shop that has this weird smell. It is not a bad smell nor is it a good smell, it kind of smells like beef stew or body odor. It is not overpowering, you just kind of catch a wiff, and then it is gone and you have to kind of search for it again. But I smell it most times I walk to that area of my garage. No I have not dug around yet looking for what it might be, it really doesn't bother me that much it is just kind of a weird mystery. Just thought I would get on here and see if anyone had encountered this? If not want to venture a guess about what it could be?

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

It's either:
1) shower with a stronger soap
2) a dead animal, mouse, rat, etc.
3) paranormal. You need Ghostbusters or a priest.
Sometimes when I smell something weird like that my wife says that's the first sign of a brain tumor.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

It's either:
1) shower with a stronger soap
2) a dead animal, mouse, rat, etc.
3) paranormal. You need Ghostbusters or a priest.
Sometimes when I smell something weird like that my wife says that's the first sign of a brain tumor.

1). When I first started smelling it I thought it was me. But it was only in that one area.
2). That is kind of my best guess of what it is. But it never had AWFUL death smell. Just that beef stew/BO smell.

I was thinking it could be like a mouse nest or something. BUt I have never heard or seen a mouse in my shop. Do mouse nests smell like body odor?

 

[Tinhack]

Most likely a live animal. A dead animal is not going to smell like beef stew.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Also, it hasn't really gotten any stronger or weaker. Just kind of stayed the same.

.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Obviously never had by aunt's beef stew!
A black snake was in a closet a few years ago. It had a metallic odor like copper.
Do you have a pet dog or borrow one to help locate it?

 

[Oaktree]

Is your shop anywhere near your septic tank or leach field? I ask because years ago I had to drive by a town's sewage treatment plant, and it had a similar odor.

 

[ultrarunner]

Any sewer lines or vents?

At work I have floor drains and traps requiring refilling periodically to prevent odor from escaping.

Otherwise something rotting?

 

[paulsharvey]

Any sewer lines or vents?

At work I have floor drains and traps requiring refilling periodically to prevent odor from escaping.

Otherwise something rotting?

Old washer/dryer hook up too, if your P traps go dry they will stink, but its not constant, its more noticeable at certain times

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Nope, none of the above.

 

[TractorGunn]

Welp, was going to make beef stew today, but changed my mind!

 

[HawkinsHollow]

sorry!

 

[BravoXray]

Think Fuddy's suggestion of borrowing a dog is a good one.

 

[scootr]

Most likely a live animal. A dead animal is not going to smell like beef stew.

If it does you gotta start eatin someplace else

 

[paulsharvey]

Any chance you have a dog food bag or similar stored in there somewhere?

 

[bigtiller]

Is your lawnmower in there?...fermenting grass under the deck?

 

[Runner]

You might have phantosmia, a condition where you smell things that aren't there. I'm pretty sure I have it because I often smell smoke that isn't there.

Could it be mildew from a roof or wall leak? Maybe something in storage like a paint can that has rusted through and is leaking.

 

[nctox]

May not be relevent but I'll post it anyway.
Many years ago I stupidly used a T-shirt I had left in the car to wipe the inside of the rear window. The glass was a bit foggy, I still smoked then, and it just seemed (at the time) like a handy thing to use. The next day I couldn't believe the smell! It was like I had three sweaty construction workers riding with me everywhere I went. I used Windex and paper towels several times for days afterward, but the smell still lingered. I was quite a while before it went away.
Have you left a undershirt or something like that in your shop?

 

[TractorGunn]

sorry!

They're on their way:

 

[Fixastuff]

Probably a result of all the figs you’ve been eating