Snakes are scary; but snakes crawling up your toilet can be terrifying, especially when you least expect it. In honor of Halloween this month, Mr. Rooter Plumbing has compiled a list of different animals that could find their way into your home through the toilet.
Rats
These tiny creatures are everywhere; they run the streets and eat out of the trash. If they really want to, they can find a home in your drainage system. Here is a video showing how easy it is for one of these little critters to make it to your toilet.
Frogs
Although these amphibians aren’t as scary to find swimming as rats, they might just catch you by surprise. Frogs are one of the most common creatures to find in your toilet. It is because they are attracted to warm, damp locations and your toilet seems to be the place that they like the most.
Lizards
Like frogs, these amphibious creatures enjoy warm damp environments. In the southwest United States, this is a somewhat common occurrence. Most of these lizards are harmless and can be set free outside if you manage to catch one.
Possums
These little creatures are known for playing dead. However, they have been found hanging out in a toilet before. Some may call them cute, others may call them weird, but if they crawl in your toilet you may call them dead or playing dead, at least. Since these little guys aren’t amphibious, swimming that far in a small pipe definitely isn’t too healthy for them. If you find one, you might feel more comfortable calling pest control since these critters can carry diseases.
If you do find something crawling into your toilet, something is probably wrong. Although it may be common, that doesn’t mean it is supposed to happen. Here are some ways to stop and prevent those animals from crawling into your pipes and plumbing system.
- There could be a hole somewhere in one of your pipes underground. Rates and snakes live below the surface, so this is one avenue of easy access for those vermin
- If you live in an area with a one-way sewer system, you might be more inclined to see some unwelcome animals in your toilet. One way to deal with these unwelcome guests is by installing a one-way non-return valve under your toilet
- There is a vent on your roof that connects to your sewer pipes. Animals could be crawling in through this channel. One way to stop this is by putting wire mesh over the cover of the vent. Do not put a cloth or a screen in front of it, which could result in blocking the vent. Don’t forget to periodically check this vent to make sure it is breathing okay
- If you do come across a creature in your toilet you don’t want to remove yourself, call animal or pest control to help in this situation
