How to Avoid Toilet Accidents: Understanding the Causes

A quiet morning can quickly turn surprising when you discover something unexpected in your bathroom. Finding a small wildlife creature in your toilet bowl is not impossible, particularly in warmer regions or homes near wooded areas, wetlands, or drainage systems.

Plumbing systems connecting to sewer lines and vent pipes can provide pathways for small wildlife like non-venomous snakes to explore. Factors such as older plumbing, exposed roof vent pipes, or dense vegetation near the house can slightly raise the likelihood of such encounters, though they are still uncommon.

If you do encounter wildlife in your toilet, it's crucial to remain calm and take precautions. Close the toilet lid, keep children and pets away, and contact local animal control or a licensed wildlife professional to safely remove the animal.

To prevent such incidents, consider practical home maintenance measures. Install wildlife-safe screens on roof vent pipes, seal gaps around plumbing entry points, and address any openings where small animals could enter. Regular inspections, especially for older homes or those near natural areas, can help maintain a wildlife-free environment.