The urban legends are true, unfortunately
Few things instill fear like the idea of a snake coming up through your toilet. So is it an urban legend, a joke, or a valid concern? According to experts, unfortunately, it can happen. Not only can snakes come up through the toilet, but other critters like rats, squirrels, and tree frogs can, too. Rest assured that this doesn’t occur often, but in the rare case that it does, our guide breaks down what you should do.
First of all, do not panic. Immediately close the toilet seat cover to keep the snake from escaping into your bathroom. If you’re renting, your landlord may be able to take care of the situation.
If you own your home, contact your local animal control agency. They can humanely capture and relocate the snake. You can also contact an emergency pest control company near you to remove the unwanted roommate from your home.
Snakes can climb, swim, hold their breath, and fit into very tight spaces. As a result, there are several different ways for snakes to enter a home and make their way into your toilet.
This is the most common way snakes enter a home. Most homes have several ventilation pipes, typically called plumbing stacks or vent stacks, coming out through the roof. They help regulate the air pressure in a plumbing system and safely release dangerous sewer gas. The stacks are usually dry, so snakes can climb up and down inside.
A snake may climb onto your roof from a tree and enter a vent stack seeking food or a cool place to shelter from the heat. Vent stacks connect to all of a home’s plumbing fixtures, such as showers, toilets, and dishwashers, so a snake entering through a ventilation pipe may occasionally end up in your bathroom.
If you have a septic tank, ensure the lid is secure. Otherwise, all sorts of animals can get into your open septic tank, including snakes. Once a snake enters the tank, it will have access to the pipes running to the tank from your indoor plumbing. A curious snake may find its way inside your toilet from there.
Open doors or windows, especially those near tree branches, can attract snakes into your home in search of food or shelter from extreme temperatures. If a snake manages to make it through your house to the bathroom without being seen, a toilet with the lid left open provides a place to hide and cool off.
Snakes are drawn to homes for a variety of reasons, including shelter and potential food sources. Snakes are cold-blooded, so in hot climates, they may enter your home looking for a place to cool off. In colder months, they’ll likely be seeking warmth.
If you have tall grass or dense vegetation in your yard, this is where snakes like to travel and seek refuge, leading to greater numbers around your property. Also, if you are dealing with mice around your home, the readily available food source can attract snakes as well.
To prevent snake encounters, regularly mow your lawn, seal entry points to your home, and control potential food sources. It’s advisable to contact a pest control professional if you suspect a snake infestation.
Luckily, there are some preventative measures you can take to keep snakes and other small animals out of your toilet.
Cover your ventilation pipe with wire mesh or hardware cloth to create a barrier that pests cannot move through. Use a one-quarter to one-half inch thick wire mesh for durability.
You will need shears to cut through wire mesh. Cut it one to three inches wide to cover the stack pipe opening and leave some extra material on each side. Since this project requires going up on the roof to reach the stack pipe, it involves the risk of falling and injuring yourself—which is the last thing you need if you’ve woken up to a snake in your toilet. You can hire a local handyperson or animal removal expert in your area to cover the stack pipes.
Installing a roof vent hood is another option. Again, because it involves your roof, leave this one to the pros.
A multi-flap is a one-way, non-return valve that fits over the toilet waste pipe. It allows the toilet to flush and release water and waste, and then the flap immediately shuts to keep animals out by cutting off their access. This works well for both rats and snakes. An additional benefit of a multi-flap is that it lessens your water consumption, which can save you money on your water bill.
If you aren’t keen on removing snakes on your own, you’re not alone—luckily, pros are available to help. Professional snake removal costs around $350 on average, although costs can go up to $600 if the snake is venomous.
Meg Scanlon and Alison Kasch contributed to this piece.
Since they are cold-blooded, snakes find cool toilet bowls attractive, especially during hot weather. Or they may be seeking to escape the plumbing and find a spot in your home where they can warm up on a cold night. Snakes may also be looking for food.
Snakes can occasionally enter homes through shower drains, although it’s quite rare. This can happen when they follow sewer pipes or accidentally find their way into plumbing systems. To minimize the risk, consider installing drain covers or stoppers on your shower drains. Always keep drains closed when they’re not in use, especially in areas where snakes are known to be active.
You can often spot a venomous snake by looking for a few key physical characteristics. Venomous snakes typically have bulbous triangular-shaped heads due to their venomous sacks, whereas regular snake heads are more rounded and narrow. A venomous snake will also have narrow slits for pupils, while non-venomous snakes have more rounded pupils. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the venomous snakes that are native to your area, but if you find a snake in your toilet, it’s best to keep a safe distance and call a professional for proper identification and removal.
