5 Creatures That Can Crawl In Through Your Toilet and How to Stop Them

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?

Teacher Found Out That Kids Were Bullying a Poor Boy about the Sweater His Grandmother Knitted for Him

A young boy’s heart shatters when cruel classmates mock the sweater his grandmother lovingly knitted for him. But one teacher’s act of kindness stitches his heart back together, proving that real heroes don’t always wear capes.

The schoolbag felt like a boulder on Dylan’s tiny shoulders as he trudged home, kicking pebbles along the cracked sidewalk. His hands were stuffed deep in his pockets, and his eyes were fixed on the ground. What burden could an 8-year-old possibly bear?

An upset young boy walking on the road | Source: Pexels

An upset young boy walking on the road | Source: Pexels

It was the new trend at school and all the kids were buzzing about wearing superhero-themed jerseys the next day. All except Dylan.

His heart sank as he thought about his grandma Mariam, or Mimi as he called her. He knew she couldn’t afford one.

A sad young boy with his eyes downcast | Source: Midjourney

A sad young boy with his eyes downcast | Source: Midjourney

As he approached their little cottage nestled at the far end of the picturesque street, he spotted Mariam in their little backyard, her wrinkled hands carefully plucking beetroots from the soil.

“Mimi, I need to talk to you,” Dylan called out, his voice tinged with frustration.

“Be there in a jiffy, sweetie!” Mariam chirped back.

An older woman with a warm smile | Source: Midjourney

An older woman with a warm smile | Source: Midjourney

Dylan stomped into the house, flinging his schoolbag. It knocked over an old framed photo of baby Dylan cradled in his parents’ arms. The glass cracked, a spider web spreading across their smiling faces.

Dylan’s heart clenched as he looked at the photo, remembering the story Mariam had told him countless times.

His parents had died in a tragic car crash when he was just one year old. Since then, Mariam had been his rock, his everything.

A broken framed photo of a couple with a baby | Source: Midjourney

A broken framed photo of a couple with a baby | Source: Midjourney

She’d raised him alone, scraping by on what little she earned selling homemade cookies, fresh eggs from their backyard chickens, and her hand-knitted items around town.

It wasn’t much, but Mariam had always made sure Dylan never went without love.

She hurried in, her apron stained with dirt. “What’s wrong, my little man?”

An emotional senior woman | Source: Midjourney

An emotional senior woman | Source: Midjourney

Dylan looked up, tears streaming down his cheeks. “Can… can you buy me a superhero jersey, Mimi? Please? It has to be Spiderman!”

“Oh, honey,” Mariam’s voice cracked. “Let me see what I can do.”

Her heart raced as she scurried around the house, checking every nook and cranny where she might have stashed away a few dollars. Cookie jars, pillowcases, even the rusty tin behind the peeling wallpaper. All empty.

A sad, disheartened young boy | Source: Midjourney

A sad, disheartened young boy | Source: Midjourney

With trembling hands, she counted the meager savings she’d scraped together. Ten dollars. It wasn’t much, but it was all she had.

“I’ll be right back, sweetie,” she called out, her voice steady despite the worry gnawing at her insides.

The bell above the door jingled as Mariam entered Smalltown Styles, the only kids’ clothing store for miles. Her eyes lit up when she spotted a lone Spiderman jersey hanging on the display.

A brass bell atop a wooden door | Source: Pexels

A brass bell atop a wooden door | Source: Pexels

“How much for that one?” she asked, pointing with a shaky finger.

The shopkeeper smiled apologetically. “That’s our last one, ma’am. Sixty-five dollars.”

Mariam’s face fell. “Oh… I see. Thank you anyway.”

A Spiderman-themed jersey on display in a cloth store | Source: Midjourney

A Spiderman-themed jersey on display in a cloth store | Source: Midjourney

As she turned to leave, the shopkeeper called out, “Wait! We’re having a sale next week. Maybe you could—”

But Mariam was already gone, the bell’s cheerful jingle doing little to ease her heavy heart.

Back home, Mariam found Dylan curled up in bed, his small frame wracked with silent sobs. She gently shook him awake for dinner, a humble meal of porridge with boiled beetroot and eggs.

Dylan ate quietly. It seemed unusual to Mariam, but she understood.

An older woman smiling | Source: Midjourney

An older woman smiling | Source: Midjourney

“Time for your bedtime prayer, sweetie,” she reminded him softly.

Dylan mumbled through the familiar words, his voice lacking its usual enthusiasm.

For the first time since he could remember, he crawled under the covers without giving Mariam a goodnight kiss.

Side shot of a distressed young boy | Source: Midjourney

Side shot of a distressed young boy | Source: Midjourney

As soon as she heard his breathing even out, Mariam sprang into action.

She crept into Dylan’s room and carefully removed the worn Spiderman poster peeling from the wall. Back in her room, she fired up her old knitting machine, determination etched on her face.

Through the night she worked, her arthritic fingers flying over the yarn, shaping it into a familiar red and blue pattern.

An older woman using a knitting machine | Source: Midjourney

An older woman using a knitting machine | Source: Midjourney

As the first rays of sunlight peeked through the window, Mariam held up her creation—a woolen Spiderman sweater, crafted with love in every stitch.

“Dylan, honey! I’ve got a surprise for you! It’s in the dining room!” Mariam called out, her voice hoarse from lack of sleep but brimming with excitement.

Dylan shuffled into the dining room, his eyes widening as he saw the sweater laid out on the table.

A Spiderman-themed knitwear laid on a table | Source: Midjourney

A Spiderman-themed knitwear laid on a table | Source: Midjourney

For a split second, disappointment flashed across his face, but he quickly masked it with a smile.

“I love it, Mimi!” he exclaimed, throwing his arms around her waist.

As Dylan headed off to school, Mariam watched him go, her heart swelling with pride. She didn’t notice the slight droop in his shoulders or the way he tugged nervously at the sweater’s sleeves.

“Have a great day, my little superhero!” she called after him.

Dylan smiled, not knowing what awaited him.

A smiling boy sporting a Spiderman-themed sweater | Source: Midjourney

A smiling boy sporting a Spiderman-themed sweater | Source: Midjourney

The classroom erupted into laughter the moment Dylan stepped through the door. His cheeks burned as he heard the jeers and taunts from his classmates.

“Did you find that in the trash?” one boy shouted.

“Woolen Spiderman! That’s hilarious!” a girl chimed in, her pigtails bouncing as she giggled.

“Hey, Dylan! Did your grandma mistake you for a sheep?” another boy called out, causing a fresh wave of laughter.

Kids laughing in a classroom | Source: Midjourney

Kids laughing in a classroom | Source: Midjourney

A girl in the front row wrinkled her nose and said loudly, “Eww, it probably smells like mothballs and old people!”

Dylan’s vision blurred with tears. He spun on his heel and bolted from the room, nearly colliding with his teacher Mr. Pickford in the hallway.

“Dylan? What’s wrong?” Mr. Pickford called after him, but Dylan was already out of sight.

A sad boy with his eyes downcast | Source: Midjourney

A sad boy with his eyes downcast | Source: Midjourney

Frowning, Mr. Pickford strode into the classroom where the cruel laughter continued.

“Did you see his face?” a boy snickered.

“Yeah, he looked like he was gonna cry!” another chimed in.

“Guess Spiderman can’t save him from bad fashion!” a girl added, sending the class into another fit of giggles.

Mr. Pickford’s eyes narrowed as he took in the scene.

A teacher furrowing his brows | Source: Midjourney

A teacher furrowing his brows | Source: Midjourney

The laughter died instantly as the children noticed his presence. His gaze swept over their suddenly guilty faces, understanding dawning in his eyes.

He strode across the classroom, his footsteps echoing in the abrupt silence. Mr. Pickford pursed his lips, a plan already forming in his mind.

“I see,” he softly whispered to himself. “Well, class, I think it’s time for an important lesson: one that’s not in your textbooks.”

With that, the dismissal bell rang. As the students filed out, Mr. Pickford couldn’t shake the feeling that something unexpected was in store for the coming Monday.

Side view of a teacher in a classroom | Source: Midjourney

Side view of a teacher in a classroom | Source: Midjourney

The weekend crawled by for Dylan. He dreaded Monday morning but he couldn’t bear to disappoint his grandma. So, with a heavy heart, he pulled on the Spiderman sweater and trudged to school.

As he entered the classroom, Dylan braced himself for another round of mockery. But the room was eerily quiet. Every eye was fixed on him, but not with derision. Instead, with something that looked almost like… admiration?

“Ah, there’s my superhero partner!” a familiar voice boomed from the corner.

A startled little boy | Source: Midjourney

A startled little boy | Source: Midjourney

Dylan’s jaw dropped. There stood Mr. Pickford, grinning from ear to ear, wearing an identical Spiderman sweater.

“What do you say we take a picture in our awesome sweaters?” Mr. Pickford suggested, pulling out his phone.

Tears welled up in Dylan’s eyes, but this time, they were tears of joy. As Mr. Pickford’s arm wrapped around his shoulders, Dylan felt a warmth spread through his chest.

“How… how did you know, Mr. Pickford?” he whispered.

A teacher sporting a Spiderman-themed sweater in the classroom | Source: Midjourney

A teacher sporting a Spiderman-themed sweater in the classroom | Source: Midjourney

Mr. Pickford winked. “Let’s just say a little birdie told me. Or should I say, a very talented grandma knitted me one last weekend!”

Dylan’s eyes widened in realization. “Mimi made yours too?”

Mr. Pickford nodded, his eyes twinkling. “She’s quite the artist, your Mimi. You’re a lucky boy, Dylan.”

A thoughtful little boy looking ahead | Source: Midjourney

A thoughtful little boy looking ahead | Source: Midjourney

As they posed for the photo, Dylan’s classmates gathered around, oohing and aahing over the matching sweaters. For the first time in days, Dylan felt his lips curve into a genuine smile.

Two days had passed since the incident, and Dylan was basking in the newfound peace in the classroom. As he rounded the corner to their cottage that afternoon, he skidded to a halt. A line of fancy cars stretched down the street, and a crowd of people milled about in their front yard.

“Mimi?” a terrified Dylan called out, pushing through the throng.

Cars parked outside a house | Source: Pexels

Cars parked outside a house | Source: Pexels

He found her sitting at a table, surrounded by parents waving money and placing orders.

Mariam’s eyes sparkled as she scribbled down requests for Superman sweaters, Wonder Woman cardigans, and even a few Hulk hoodies.

“Dylan!” she exclaimed when she spotted him. “Look at all these nice people who want sweaters just like yours!”

An older woman smiling warmly | Source: Midjourney

An older woman smiling warmly | Source: Midjourney

Dylan’s chest swelled with pride. He watched as his grandma’s skilled hands flew over her knitting machine, creating masterpiece after masterpiece. The cottage that had once felt so empty now buzzed with life and laughter.

As the fiery orb of the sun descended, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Mariam packed away her yarn and needles. She turned to Dylan with a mischievous grin.

“What do you say we celebrate, my little superhero? I hear the amusement park has a new Spiderman ride!”

Dylan’s eyes lit up. “Really, Mimi? Can we go?”

A cheerful young boy | Source: Midjourney

A cheerful young boy | Source: Midjourney

Mariam laughed, a sound as warm and comforting as the sweater Dylan wore. “Of course we can, pumpkin. After all, every superhero needs a day off sometimes!”

As they walked hand in hand towards the twinkling lights of the fairground, Dylan looked up at his grandmother. In the fading light, he could almost see a halo around her silver hair.

“I love you, Mimi. So, so, so much!” he chirped.

Mariam gently squeezed his hand, her eyes glistening. “I love you too, sweetie. To the moon and back.”

A happy little boy looking up | Source: Midjourney

A happy little boy looking up | Source: Midjourney

And as they stepped into the whirl of colors and laughter, Dylan realized something important: Life might get tough sometimes, but there are guardian angels watching over us. Sometimes they wear teacher’s badges, and sometimes they knit Spiderman sweaters! But they’re always there, ready to wrap us in love when we need it most.

Silhouette of a little boy walking with his grandma | Source: Midjourney

Silhouette of a little boy walking with his grandma | Source: Midjourney

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