Strange odor problem...what could cause this and how do I fix it?

Factual Questions
1

Our Christmas tree smells funny sometimes. The smell is a fishy, moldy smell. It’s an artificial tree we’ve had for years and this is the second year in a row this has happened. We store it in the basement in one of those bags made for this purpose. The bag had a few small holes in the bottom from dragging it across a concrete floor.

The summer before this started we had some rain get into the basement and I think it may have run under the bag. . We also had the sewer back up into the basement but it didn’t reach the bag. I cleaned the affected area with bleach.

It doesn’t smell like that all the time. It only happens when the lights are on and goes away when we are forced by the stench to turn them off. It doesn’t happen during daylight hours. It only smells at night. And only when we are using the microwave, the stove top or the oven. That is consistent. Once, early in the morning I noticed it when the only thing I had on was the coffee maker. It was still dark. But there have been many other times when I used the coffee maker and didn’t get that smell.

Any ideas?

2

You didn’t by any chance, build your house atop an ancient Native American burial ground, did you?

3

I don’t think so and I don’t have a young girl to tell me “they’re here”.

4

Toss the tree. It has wicked up the nasties. High humidity and/or heat reactivates the stink.

Sounds fishy, wierd, or totally unexpected actions.

5

Gratuitous bump.

6

Spray it with Lysol if you can stand it. Maybe before everyone leaves the house for a while.

After this Christmas I’d take it out in the yard and wash it. Maybe even spray it off white vinegar, let it sit, and rinse it off.

And then make sure when you put it back in the basement you seal it up, the holes you had in the storage bag probably let a lot of moisture in. Or store it in the attic, it’s dryer there.

Seems like a lot more people are having mold and mildew problems these days.

7

If you really want to try to save it, put it in the bag and then fill in the spaces with a baking soda/borax mix. Let it sit for 24 hours, turning it every once in a while.

8

Has it been the same set of lights each year? If it is, try taking the lights off and, in another room, light them. Make sure it’s not THEM that smells. It’s a long shot, but worth checking.

9

I have had success with Odo-Ban in the past. I think their site has a “Search for local outlets” type of function.

10

You could also try Febreze to see if that will kill the stench. I think the best approach may be to retire the tree, unless it turns out to be the lights…

11

Have you checked the tree for stinky owls?