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?
Emilia Clarke, 36, Gets Trolled for Her Aging Face in a Recent Selfie and Is Told to Use Fillers
The Game of Thrones actress, 36, looked positively radiant as she posted a fresh-faced snap on her Instagram, yet some people online criticized her for her aging face. Luckily, Emilia’s fans jumped into action to defend the stunning beauty, and they were quick to celebrate her all-natural look.
The actress shared an adorable selfie where she has minimal makeup on. The pic showed her grinning as she proudly held a mug her mom gifted her. But Emilia’s wholesome post soon gathered a number of negative comments.
One person wrote, “What’s happening with those hairs, they’re worse than mine right now.” While another added, “Big forehead and looks 50 years old now.” A third person continued to criticize Clarke for her all-natural features, and commented that she “hit a wall.”
In response, the actress’s fans rushed to shower her with compliments and defended her by saying, “It’s not cool to put someone down for aging!”
One fan wrote, “Thank you for laughing so much Emilia, you make the world brighter” and another commented, “This is by far the most beautiful woman in Hollywood.” Someone also gushed about Clarke’s stunning, all-natural features saying “Beautiful — actual smile lines in an IG pic.”
This is not the first time that the actress, who rose to fame at just 23 thanks to Game of Thrones, has received comments about her looks. In 2021, she recalled that, at only 28 years old, she was told by a facialist to get fillers.
Emilia then opened up about the dilemma we have to face as we grow older, saying, ’’You’ve got this idea of aging, and then you’ve got the idea of what aging makes you look like.’’
However, Clarke herself believes that those aging signs should be embraced and celebrated. She said, “At 34, I am wiser, more intelligent, I’ve had more experiences, I’ve done all this stuff, and I’m proud of that.” She then noted that, ’’You can only do that because you are the age you are.’’
The star went on explaining that looking older doesn’t bother her at all, saying, “If my face is gonna reflect the time that I’ve spent on this earth, I’m down for that.”
And just like Emilia, many famous women are refusing to have work done and are looking fabulous as they embrace their wrinkles and gray hair. Having said that, other celebrities have admitted to having had plastic surgery, and they have zero regrets about their decision.
And we celebrate all these women equally. After all, we should all do what brings us comfort and happiness because feeling good in our own skin is what matters most.
Preview photo credit emilia_clarke / Instagram, emilia_clarke / Instagram
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