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?
My FIL Moved Into Our House After My MIL Ended Up in the Hospital & He Tried to Make Me His Maid — He Didn’t Expect My Response
When my father-in-law moved into our home, I thought we were doing him a favor. But soon, his presence turned into something I never could’ve anticipated — something that tested my patience, my marriage, and my limits.
When my mother-in-law ended up in the hospital unexpectedly, my father-in-law, Frank seemed utterly lost. He’d always depended on her for everything — cooking, cleaning, even remembering to take his medication. Without her, he was like a rudderless ship.
Senior couple having tea in their backyard | Source: Midjourney
“I don’t know what to do with myself,” he admitted when my husband, Brian, and I visited him a few days after the incident. His cheerful voice was low, and his shoulders drooped.
Brian squeezed my hand, giving me the look — the one that said he was about to make an impulsive decision I’d have to clean up later. Sure enough, he turned to his dad and said, “Why don’t you come stay with us for a bit? It’ll be better than being alone.”
Son talking to his depressed dad | Source: Midjourney
Frank’s eyes lit up, and before I could process what just happened, he was moving into our guest room with an alarming amount of suitcases for someone who claimed it was “temporary.”
At first, it was fine. He seemed grateful, even a bit shy about imposing. But then little things started to change.
“Hey, dear,” he called out one afternoon while I was on a Zoom call for work. “Can you grab me some coffee? I can’t find the pods.”
“They’re right on the counter,” I replied.
“Yeah, but you know how to work the machine better,” he said, chuckling as though I’d find this endearing.
Senior man seated next to a coffee making machine | Source: Midjourney
Then it was, “Can you fix me a sandwich?” and “Don’t forget my toast in the mornings, I like it just golden.” One day, he even handed me a basket of his clothes, saying, “I’ll need these for golf tomorrow. Thanks, daughter.”
Each time, Brian was “too busy” to notice. But my patience? That was wearing dangerously thin. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could play along.
The breaking point came on a Thursday evening — a night I’ll never forget. My father-in-law decided to host poker night at our house, apparently without feeling the need to ask me first.
“Just a couple of guys, nothing big,” he’d said that morning, flashing a grin as he searched through the fridge. “We’ll keep it clean. You’ll barely notice we’re here.”
Senior man standing next to the fridge talking to his daughter-in-law | Source: Midjourney
Barely notice? By 8 p.m. the living room was transformed into a smoky den of laughter, chips clinking, and loud chatter. And me? I was in the kitchen, balancing trays of snacks and refilling drinks like an unpaid server.
“Hey, we’re out of beer!” one of his friends yelled. “Sweetheart,” Frank called to me, not even bothering to stand, “Can you grab some from the garage?” I clenched my jaw, my blood boiling, but I grabbed the beer.
When another one of his friends tapped his glass and said, “A little more ice,” I nearly lost it.
Senior men hanging out | Source: Midjourney
After the game, as Frank walked his buddies to the door, I overheard him chuckling and saying to Brian, “See? That’s how you should treat a woman.”
The words hit me like a slap. I felt my stomach twist as the realization sunk in. This wasn’t just about poker night — it was about a pattern. I’d seen it for years in the way Frank treated my MIL like she was there solely to cater to him. Now he was training my husband to do the same.
Father and son having a conversation | Source: Midjourney
It started small, almost unnoticeable. “Hey, can you grab me a drink while you’re up?” Brian would ask, even when I wasn’t already standing. At first, I didn’t think much of it — he’d always been good about splitting chores and being considerate. But then, those small favors turned into expectations.
One evening, as I was folding laundry, Brian walked past with a plate from his dinner. Instead of putting it in the sink like he always did, he left it on the coffee table. “Can you take care of that?” he asked, not even breaking stride.
Another time, I was in the middle of preparing dinner when he strolled into the kitchen. “Don’t forget I need my blue shirt ironed for tomorrow,” he said, planting a kiss on my cheek like it would soften the demand.
Couple in the kitchen preparing dinner | Source: Midjourney
That was it. “No, Brian,” I said, my voice firm. “I’ve taken it seriously enough. You both need to understand—this stops now. I am not your maid, and I am not his either.”
The tension in the room was thick, and I could see Brian’s stunned face as I walked out, determined that things were about to change—for good.
The very next morning, after a sleepless night of seething and strategizing, I sat down at the dining table with my laptop and began typing out a “rental agreement.” I wasn’t going to charge Frank rent, but I wanted clear, no-nonsense rules. If he was going to stay under our roof, things were going to change.
Woman using her laptop | Source: Pexels
The rules were simple but non-negotiable:
- I cook one meal for everyone each day. If someone wants something else, they can cook it themselves.
- If you’re physically capable of doing something, you do it yourself—this includes fetching drinks, laundry, and cleaning up after meals.
- Everyone cleans up after themselves. Dishes go in the dishwasher, not the sink. The laundry will be folded and put away by the person who wore it.
- If you invite guests over, you’re responsible for hosting them, including food, drinks, and cleanup.
- No sexist comments or behavior — this house operates on mutual respect, period.
- Contributions to household chores are expected, not optional. You live here; you pitch in.
Identical cubes with RULES inscription | Source: Pexels
I printed it out, stapled the pages together, and waited until Frank came into the kitchen. He looked startled to see me sitting there, sipping my coffee with a hard copy of the rules in front of me.
“Morning,” he said cautiously, sensing the shift in my demeanor.
“Morning,” I replied, pushing the document toward him. “We need to talk.”
“What’s this?” he asked, frowning as he scanned the first page.
“It’s a rental agreement for staying in this house,” I said evenly. “These are the rules moving forward.”
Frank blinked at me, his face turning red. “Rules? What is this, the army? I’m your guest!”
Annoyed senior man | Source: Midjourney
“No,” I said sharply. “You’re not a guest anymore. You’ve been here for weeks. You’re family, which means you’re not entitled to sit back while everyone else waits on you. This is how it’s going to work if you’re staying here.”
Brian walked in midway through the exchange, yawning and rubbing his eyes. “What’s going on?” he asked, glancing between us.
“Your wife is trying to turn this house into a dictatorship,” Frank said, slapping the paper onto the table.
Brian picked up the agreement and skimmed it. “Uh, isn’t this a bit… much?” he said, hesitating.
Young man in deep thoughts reading a document | Source: Pexels
“No, Brian,” I said, meeting his eyes. “What’s much is your father treating me like I’m his maid? And lately, you’ve started doing the same. That stops today.”
The room fell silent. Frank looked like he was ready to explode, and Brian seemed torn. But I held my ground, unflinching.
“You can either follow the rules,” I said, standing up, “or find somewhere else to stay.”
Frank opened his mouth to argue but closed it again, realizing I wasn’t bluffing. For the first time in weeks, I felt in control — and I wasn’t about to let that go.
Young woman and a senior man having a conversation | Source: Midjourney
When my mother-in-law, Sarah, finally came home from the hospital, I was both nervous and relieved. Nervous because I had no idea how she’d react to what I’d done, and relieved because, frankly, Frank had been a handful.
As she settled on the couch, sipping the tea I’d made her, I slid the “rental agreement” across the table. “Sarah,” I began, choosing my words carefully, “I need you to see this. It’s something I worked on while Frank was staying here.”
Her brows furrowed as she read, her lips tightening at first. By the time she got to Rule 5, she glanced up at me with a knowing smile. “Oh, I like this one,” she said. “Mutual respect. Novel concept for him.”
Senior woman smiling while reading a document | Source: Midjourney
I exhaled, grateful she didn’t seem offended. “I know you care deeply about him,” I said, sitting beside her. “But Sarah, he’s been relying on you for far too long. It’s not fair to you. And while he was here… well, let’s just say I realized how much you’ve been carrying all these years.”
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Her eyes softened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of exhaustion. “You’re right,” she said quietly. “It’s been like this since the day we got married. I just… I thought it was my job.”
“No,” I said firmly, taking her hand. “It’s time for him to step up. Not just for your sake, but for his.
Sarah chuckled, shaking her head. “I wish I’d done this years ago.”
Senior woman and her daughter in law reading a document | Source: Midjourney
When Frank came into the room, Sarah waved the paper in the air. “You’ve got work to do, mister,” she said, her voice playful but firm.
He groaned, muttering something about a conspiracy, but Sarah stood her ground.
As they walked into the kitchen together, I couldn’t help but smile. For the first time, it felt like Sarah wasn’t carrying the entire load alone.
“Hey,” Brian said, coming up behind me. “You really think he’ll stick to it?”
I turned, watching Sarah guide Frank to the sink where she handed him a dish towel. For the first time, he didn’t argue — he just started drying.
I smiled, my voice steady. “He doesn’t have a choice. Because this time, we’re all playing by the rules.”
Family setting dinner on the table | Source: Midjourney
Love this story? You won’t want to miss the next one: My FIL threatened me after I caught him with his mistress in a café—But karma stepped in at just the right moment. You won’t believe how it all unfolds! Click here to dive in.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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