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?
Get Ready to Activate Your Brain Cells With These 12 Mind-Boggling Detective Riddles
Indulging in puzzles daily isn’t just a fun pastime — it’s a brilliant way to keep your brain in tip-top shape! Not only do they enhance your memory, but they also give your problem-solving skills a fantastic workout. Visual puzzles, especially, might seem like a piece of cake, but mastering them demands keen attention and observation.
1. Which one is pretending to be rich?
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2. Who stole a watermelon?
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4 people are waiting in line to pay for their items. However, one of them has stolen and concealed a watermelon. Who is that person?
3. How did the boss know that Mason lied?
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Mason took some time off from his job to go on an expedition in Antarctica. His boss was okay with it as long as he was sending him pictures every day as proof. Mason would send photos daily, but when he returned to the office, his boss fired him. How did the boss know from Mason’s pictures that he wasn’t actually in Antarctica?
4. Who is the woman’s husband?
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Susana is suffering from temporary amnesia and can’t remember who her husband is. Can you help her?
5. Which door is the safest?
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Atlas has been trapped in the attic of an old and frail house. There are only 3 doors, but they all hide different dangers. The windows and floor behind the first door are all made of magnifying glass and the sunlight will probably burn him if he enters.
The second door hides a room full of poisonous gas, and a hungry lion is behind the third door. What should Atlas do?
6. Why did the police arrest Dylan?
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The police knocked on Dylan’s door late in the evening to conduct a search warrant. They said that money from a bank was stolen and that he was a suspect. Dylan said that he didn’t leave the house all day, while one of the policemen searched around his living room. What evidence could the police have found that led to the man’s arrest?
7. Who stole a pair of green pants?
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3 men are in a store when Susan, the assistant, notices that a pair of green pants is missing. Which one of the 3 men stole the pants?
8. Where is the money?
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Kimberly discovered 3 bags in an old attic along with a note. The note said that in one of the bags, there is $1,000,000, while the others are empty, and she can only open one of them. The only clues she has are the messages written on every bag. If only 1 message is true, which bag has the money?
9. Which one of these 3 should Dylan pick up?
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Dylan is driving on a rainy day when he sees 3 people waiting at a bus station. There is an old lady who looks frail, a doctor who has saved many lives, and a woman that Dylan has a crush on. However, his car has only 1 extra seat. Which one of the 3 people should he pick up?
10. Who stole the emerald?
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Jane wanted to host a party for her friends after she came back from her trip to Egypt. She found an emerald and she wanted to show it to her friends. However, after they left, she realized that her stone was missing.
She called the police and showed them the pictures she had taken that night. The police officer had a pretty good idea of who the thief was. How did they do that?
11. Did someone from outside break the window?
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Ashley came back from work and found the living room window broken. She immediately suspected that her husband must have been playing soccer inside again. However, he said that some kids were playing outside and their ball broke their window. How did Ashley know that her husband was lying?
12. Who is cheating?
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How many correct answers were you able to provide? If you enjoyed these puzzles, be sure to check here for more and give your brain another workout.
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