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Spiders can’t swim through your pipes however they are very resourceful and will find a safe path to your toilet.
Most will use the seat for the only purpose of frightening the next user, however, some – like black widows – cast a web across the bowl. But that usually only happens with outdoor toilets that don’t have plumbing and are not connected to a sewer system.
If you’re ever using an outhouse, always carefully inspect the seat.
Black widows, along with the brown recluse and the hobo spider, will leave you with a nasty bite.
In Florida, people have found iguanas splashing around in their toilet bowls and in Thailand, a British tourist was terrified when he found a monitor lizard flicking him off with his venomous tongue.
Water-loving lizards in toilets is common in the southern states, where homes have vent stacks on the roof that are left open to air out odors and gasses.
“If these iguanas are not by water, they can sense where water is. If they’re on a roof, they can smell the water. They end up going into the pipeline,” said Harold Rondon, wildlife removal specialist. “Once they get into that pipeline…the only way [out] is through your toilet.”
About eight years ago, a San Diego woman found a soggy baby opossum trapped in her toilet.
“Not to worry, we don’t think this one came up through the plumbing. After finding a second opossum in her home, the resident found a broken window where they likely gained access,” writes San Diego County Animal Services about the rescued infant and its buddy.
And then in 2016, a baby possum was found in the toilet of an Australian home.
“It’s the first time in 30 years that I’ve ever heard of a possum coming up through the toilet system,” the rescuer said. “I’ve heard of rats before, but never a possum.”
Keep your bathroom free of critters
Now that you’re likely nervous about going to the bathroom, we’ll offer you a few tips to hopefully make creatures feel less welcome.
- Keep your toilet clean: Frequently clean your toilet with a disinfectant. White vinegar or baking soda are also great alternatives.
- Keep it dry: Many pests love humidity and are drawn to wet bathroom floors. Use a towel to dry the floor after showers and if there are any leaks, call a plumber.
- Maintenance: Flush a cleaning solution down the drain to make it less inviting to pests.
- Keep your seat down and always look before you sit.
- If you do find anything splashing around in your toilet, don’t be a hero and call a professional removal service.
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