Embarassing smell in the garden

[jazzmini59]

This is all very embarassing, but for a while now there has been (I think from the flower bed) a strong embarassing smell that I cannot identify. It is embarassing because it smells very like, well, a certain bodily fluid that is not wee and is regularly exchanged between consenting adults. Does anybody have any ideas ?

(blushes) - thank you very much !

Rob from Bristol

[DavidT]

Could it be animal faeaces?

[jazzmini59]

Could be - the only animals we have are frogs and cats (as well as birds, slugs and snails of course) unless something comes in at night.

[DavidT]

If it is a smell like rancid meat, then it is likely to be a fox.

[jazzmini59]

Originally Posted by DavidT

If it is a smell like rancid meat, then it is likely to be a fox.

Thanks for the suggestion - it could be as we have two guinea pigs in a cage in the garden that would be a tasty morsel for old Reynardine.....

[Melinda]

Do you have a Rowan (aka mountain ash) tree in the garden? Do your neighbours?

Ive just checked a memorable thread on another forum I frequent and June is the time of year for reporting trees that smell of 'man love juice!'

If that is the smell you are too bashful to mention!

[lilith]

are you on mains sewerage or do you or your nieghbors have a cesspit or soakaway... if they need emptying they smell like....- which is exactly what they are full off! could be bad drains too, ie blockage or collapsed pipes, allowing sewerage to seep out into the surrounding land.

[jazzmini59]

Originally Posted by Melinda

Do you have a Rowan (aka mountain ash) tree in the garden? Do your neighbours?

Ive just checked a memorable thread on another forum I frequent and June is the time of year for reporting trees that smell of 'man love juice!'

If that is the smell you are too bashful to mention!

Melinda's got it !! By the way, Melinda - it's not me doing something unmentionable in the garden after dark, before you ask.....

[jazzmini59]

Originally Posted by lilith

are you on mains sewerage or do you or your nieghbors have a cesspit or soakaway... if they need emptying they smell like....- which is exactly what they are full off! could be bad drains too, ie blockage or collapsed pipes, allowing sewerage to seep out into the surrounding land.

Oh no - that does not sound good. We are on mains sewerage. No cesspit or soakaway here. Funnily enough, now the weather has warmed up the smell seems to have disappeared and has not been present for at least a week. Hmmmm, most curious. I think the top suggestion could be foxes.......there are very common around here, especially on bin night.

[lilith]

i live in the country, but i havent noticed that foxes smell like---.they have a pungent smell, but its' nothing like any human based smell. it could be rats though, or a rats nest in the drains. ( that definately has a nasty dirty smell.) i would get the metal covers up in your's and nieghbors gardens, and check that there are no blockages. good that it seems to have gone though!

[Hammer]

It,s not a Fox, i live in the country and get the odd visit, the smell of fox is very strong and pungent as Lilith says. Also from my experience the smell of a Fox about sets the Dogs off like nothing else. Sorry - beyond that can,t help. Hammer