5 Creatures That Can Crawl In Through Your Toilet and How to Stop Them

If you are wondering why bugs and other pests pay your bathroom a visit, it’s because of all the moisture. And when we’re talking about the toilet seat, in particular, many people fail to clean it consistently and in detail. Flushing isn’t enough, since there is the residue left behind and that is enough to attract all the wrong guests.

Bright Side wants you to know that many pests can crawl into your house through your toilet and that there are ways to prevent this from happening.

1. Snakes

Snakes just love cool, wet, and dark places and that’s why your toilet pipes can be very intriguing to them. But, what drives them there in the first place is the sewer that has food remnants that they can feed on. When they are finished with their food in the sewer, they will look for a way out and the pipes are the easiest and quickest route. However, you shouldn’t be afraid if you live in a cold environment, since snakes will only sneak up in toilets in warm countries.

It’s usually harmless snakes that crawl through the pipes, like garden or tree snakes. That’s because these snakes are slimmer than venomous ones and can fit through the pipes. Although, some anacondas have appeared in people’s toilets in South America and Australia.

2. Rats

Like snakes, rats are also in constant pursuit of food and our pipes can be very appealing to them. In houses where the toilet and garbage disposal end up in the same pipes, rats are more likely to find a way in. And because their anatomy is very bendy, they can swim through the pipes and hold their breath for minutes before they need air.

So, it’s not just important to discard your food remnants in a trash bag but to also never flush food down the toilet. If there is no food in the pipes, rats won’t have any reason to try and enter your sewage system. You should also keep the toilet cover closed at all times and maybe install a rat guard. This allows water to exit the pipes whenever you flush, but nothing can come up in the opposite direction.

3. Spiders

With spiders, things get a bit more complex, since they can’t swim in your pipes, but they can appear in your bathroom through another passage. And when they get in, they will probably sit outside the toilet seat. Only black widows will crawl inside the toilet and weave their web from side to side. But, that will happen only in an outdoor toilet that doesn’t have plumbing and that isn’t connected to a sewer system.

That’s where these venomous spiders thrive since there are many flies that they can catch for food. That’s also why you need to always check the seat thoroughly before using an outhouse toilet. Spiders, like the black widow, the brown recluse, and the hobo spider won’t have any trouble biting you.

4. Lizards

In the Southwest United States, lizards coming through the toilet pipes are a quite common occurrence. That’s because these creatures love water and they try to find food wherever they can. Crickets and other insects (like flies) can be found a lot in your toilet’s plumbing if it’s not kept decently clean. The lizards that can achieve this are usually small enough that they can fit through the pipes.

5. Possums

In 2008, a man was in his bathroom in Australia when he saw the water in the toilet gurgling. Moments later, a baby possum appeared and this is not the first time this has happened. On another occasion, a woman found a dead possum in her toilet. These unusual guests are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for a long time — that’s why they can crawl into your toilet.

How to prevent and react to these occurrences

  • Keep your toilet clean: This may sound obvious, but you really need to clean your toilet often and neatly. Disinfecting cleaners are perfect for that job and if you want something cheaper you can resort to white wine vinegar or baking soda. You can also get one of those fresheners that stick on the side of the toilet and release a nice smell every time you flush.
  • Keep it dry: Most pests love humidity and that’s why they will be attracted to wet bathroom floors. So, it’s important to get rid of any standing water from the sink or the floor after you’ve taken a shower. If you notice any leaks in your plumbing, call a technician immediately and get them fixed.
  • Clean your pipes naturally: In a bowl, add equal parts of sugar, water, vinegar, and 5-10 drops of dish soap. Mix all of this together and pour it down the toilet or in your bathroom sink. You can also pour some boiling water into the toilet.
  • Call a pest control company: If you don’t have the time or courage to deal with pests yourself, call professionals and let them use their heavy cleaners. After that is done, you can occasionally throw water mixed with a cleaning solution down the drain to make sure no pest will climb up into the toilet.

Have you ever found an uninvited guest in your toilet — if so, what was it and how did you react?

20 Pics That Perfectly Explain What Having a Pet Is All About

When you have a kitty or a doggo, you’re almost sure there’s something special waiting for you at home. A pup that’s terrified when he sees you in a bath for the first time, a cat that won’t stop walking on its hind legs, and a dog that’s just crazy about… fresh carrots. They all have their own quirks, and we love them even more when we discover yet another one.

Here at Bright Side, we laughed until we cried while looking at these funny photos, and now we want you to get your daily dose of laughter too.

1. “This woman was walking around NYC with this label on her shoe.”

2. “Karen, I’m concerned, are you aware water CAN KILL YOU!?”

3. “Trained my cat to stand up. Now she won’t stop.”

4. “My name’s Mookie. I hide in mom’s purse when I’m nervous.”

5. “My dog has loose lips that get stuck on his gums after he yawns.”

6. The best way to spend time in a traffic jam

7. “So… I recently discovered my dog likes carrots.”

8. “I cannot take her seriously when she looks like this.”

9. “Me with our dog and my wife with our cat”

10. “Somebody said black cats are hard to photograph for social media. Well, meet Thor.”

11. “She thinks it’s her job to pull rocks out of the lake. The big one weighs 14 lb.”

12. When you let your white dog out after you mow the lawn:

13. “The way my cat decided to sit down”

14. “The face he makes when he knows he’s in trouble… every time!”

15. “When my cat gets spooked by a sound in the next room:”

16. “I put my inside cat outside and walked out to this 5 minutes later.”

17. Oh well… Looks like he’s comfortable…

18. “Delighted to have some uninterrupted downtime with a good book…”

https://brightside.me/articles/20-pics-that-perfectly-explain-what-having-a-pet-is-all-about-774960/?utm_source=5_minute_crafts_usa_fb&utm_medium=square_cards&utm_campaign=announcement_links&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR26OLRoNf0_fquesXCzOADeQD0bnu8pID-Oqfaje4cOhP-6hFw_36pqmPA_aem_AYflMHi10IH_CedVKIWCOiX6SmWvnywubogQ7j0gknal_8P2P1Np_hX8q2tSnaqcBuyakGM3BpnM9V7veCbgOYs4

19. “My cat escaped. Found her the next day outside my son’s bedroom window.”

20. “Finally got a picture of my cat looking at the camera.”

When was the last time your pet made you laugh out loud with their quirks? Do you have a funny picture of them acting out? Share your stories and pics in the comments below!

Preview photo credit KatraHigher / Twitter

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