The wall suddenly smells like marijuana and stale beer.

Hello, I know this is a house BUILDING forum, but I am at a loss and hope for a helpful answer. For several days now, the bedroom in the apartment of my partner and me has smelled like stale beer/marijuana. We have searched everything and found nothing. It is absolutely ruled out that the cause lies with these products. Now I smelled the walls (sounds strange, I know) and found that a slanted wall smells very strongly of it. It is the "sun wall" upstairs. The house is about 70 years old. What could be the cause of this? Do we have to tear open the wall? Could it be mold or possibly a decomposing animal? I am at a loss. Thank you very much in advance!

Hello Marie, I wanted to ask if you have found the cause in the meantime... I think we have the same problem. Between our garage and the directly attached house. The wall smells like you described. Strangely, only when it is warm. I would appreciate a reply. Many thanks and best regards, Stefan

The only feedback came in #23, where it was a mouse nest, otherwise the assumption of a dead animal

Hello!

I have had a similar problem in my house for many years. But actually only in spring (now again for 3 days), always as soon as things start to bloom outside. As soon as it gets hot and dry in summer, it’s gone – then only sometimes when it rains but rather only until early summer, afterwards it’s completely gone. And especially in the living room and somewhat in the kitchen (no door, just an open passage). I had new windows installed a few years ago, but that didn’t help either, the house has no basement. A few years ago I laid laminate over the real wood parquet. It smelled before and after.
Strangely, in the bedroom above the living room there is no smell, but occasionally it reaches the hallway.
I suspect the huge tree standing next door (it’s already a few meters away), which is currently leafing out, which would fit the timing. But outside you only smell it sometimes – then there comes a whiff (or am I just imagining it?!). It’s as if the living room “holds” it more than outside.
The neighbors opposite have not noticed this smell in their place or no longer notice it.
Maybe someone else of you also has a tree nearby?
I would rule out dead mice because of the same type and manner every year – there is neither scratching in a wall nor does a wall smell directly anywhere. The dog doesn’t indicate anything either, it has a good nose…
Next to the living room I built a WPC veranda, but underneath it is hollow, and partly concrete and gravel underneath. Yes, a mouse sometimes runs there, but always in spring and weather-related would be strange, right? And the dog likes to indicate a mouse under there as well.
Maybe this helps you or we can track this down together.

Best regards

I suspect the huge tree standing next door (it is already a few meters away),

What kind of tree is that, are there bird nests in it, is there a mouse or rat nest underneath, does the dog sometimes behave strangely, is there a spot in the living room that smells stronger, what does it smell like at all

I would have perceived it as marijuana or beer smell, as described in the topic. Although I am not very familiar with the former.

The tree is quite large and is probably just getting buds, later it will have leaves. Whether animals live in or under it... Good question, it is located on the school grounds next door. I will take a picture of it tomorrow and go sniff around. Then I will try to report more precisely.

I would have also perceived it as marijuana or beer smell as described in the topic. Although I am not very familiar with the former. The tree is quite large and apparently is just starting to bud, later it will have leaves. Whether animals live in or under it... Good question, it stands on the school grounds next door. I will photograph it tomorrow and go sniff around. Then I will try to report more precisely.

I would be very grateful for the type of tree, we have had the same problem in our daughter's room for 3 or 4 years in a row now. Always from the end of February to the end of April. Currently again right now. Suddenly there it is, the smell, and then it disappears just as suddenly. We have been living here for 15 years already. It is driving one crazy. It also itches occasionally and crackles in the crawl space (but nobody can get me in there), but mouse urine definitely smells different! We once had mice and also rats in a cage, I know that smell well. Decomposition definitely smells different too. It is simply a mystery. That day I briefly thought I smelled a small cloud outside too, but only at one specific spot. Otherwise, no room smells. Last year it moved. From my daughter’s room to our son’s room and then to our vestibule, which has nothing above it. Then it was gone. We live in a half-timbered house. Best regards Nadine