Nightmare! Total nightmare! I really don’t know how else to think or write about this. Rats in the toilet? Just the thought sends shivers down my spine, and honestly, I don’t even want to entertain the idea, let alone experience this scenario firsthand. After hearing a few urban legends, I was curious (and terrified), so I started asking around. My friends were just as skeptical and freaked out. “No way that can happen,” they laughed. But guess what? It’s not a myth.
Rats can, indeed, make their grand entrance right into your toilet, and just knowing this fact was enough for me to dive deep into a frenzy of worrying and researching. Like, what in the world would I do if I encountered a rat in my toilet? The first thing that pops into my mind is to run. But realistically, so would the rat—potentially after me! Clearly, I needed better solutions. So here’s the lowdown on what I discovered…
First Things First: Can Rats Really Swim Up Our Toilets?
Absolutely, yes. Rats in the toilet aren’t just some horror movie fiction; they’re a startling reality. These creatures are surprisingly adept swimmers. They can hold their breath for up to three minutes and tread water for as long as three days. They can even squeeze into spaces as tiny as a quarter. The usual route for these sewer-loving swimmers begins in your home’s main sewer line. They shimmy up, navigating through the narrow urban waterways, and presto, they pop up in your toilet like a grotesque surprise in a jack-in-the-box.
How Do They Do It?
Well, it turns out rats are attracted to the scents of food and waste that linger in our sewer lines. They explore these lines by squeezing through the smallest of cracks and climbing inside the vent stacks that lead to the roofs of buildings. Once they find a drainpipe that leads downward toward a toilet, it’s merely a matter of paddling upwards and making a grand entrance right into the porcelain throne.
Encounter of the Rodent Kind
Imagine this: it’s the dead of night, you’re groggily making your way to the bathroom, and as you flip on the light, there it is—a rat, casually lounging in your toilet bowl. What do you do? Well, after my initial instinct to sell the house and move to a rat-free island subsides, here’s the more rational action plan I put together after consulting with every expert source I could find:
Keep Your Cool: Panicking will likely scare the rat, potentially driving it to seek refuge in even less accessible parts of your home.
Contain the Situation: Quickly close the toilet lid to prevent its escape and place something heavy on top. Rats can be surprisingly strong, and the last thing you want is a chase scene in your bathroom.
Dial for Help: This is definitely a situation for the professionals. Pest control can manage the situation with the right equipment and safety protocols.
Handling a Deceased Visitor: If the rat isn’t alive, wear gloves to remove it from the bowl, place it in a sealed bag, and dispose of it properly. Don’t forget to disinfect every surface within a mile radius (okay, maybe just the bathroom).
Flushing is a No-Go: Whether it’s dead or alive, flushing the rat is a bad idea. It’s inhumane if it’s living, and could cause significant plumbing issues either way.
Prevent Future Uninvited Guests: After handling the immediate crisis, consider installing a non-return valve in your sewer system. This gadget allows waste to exit but prevents rodents from entering.
Regular Checks: Keep an eye on your plumbing to ensure there are no easy entry points for future intruders. Make sure all pipes and vents are secure and in good repair.
As for me, since learning all this, I’ve been extra vigilant. Maybe I’m checking the toilet a bit too obsessively before each use, but hey, can you blame me? And about that idea of moving out? Well, let’s just say my browsing history has seen a significant increase in real estate listings.
So, do you believe it now? —rats in your toilet aren’t just an urban myth but a potential reality. But with the right knowledge and precautions, you can prevent these terrifying scenarios and tackle them with confidence if they do arise. Stay alert, stay informed, and maybe keep a heavy book near the bathroom, just in case.
After Treat Williams’ untimely departure, Catherine Zeta-Jones and John Travolta lead heartfelt tributes to him
Actor Address Williams tragically passed away after a horrific motorcycle accident, and numerous celebs sent their condolences to his family via social media.
The 71-year-old calendar man passed away as a consequence of the party, according to a statement released by his agent Barry McPherson on Monday, June 13.
John Travolta, who reminisced their Broadway adventures in the musicals Grease and More Than Here, was among the first to pay their respects to the late actor.
He recalls, “Treat Williams and I started together in NYC by appearing in two Broadway productions, More than Below and Grease.”
“I’m really sorry, treat. You and your family are on my mind. You’ll be missed by us. Greetings, John.
The Phantom, a 1996 movie starring Williams and Catherine Zeta-Jones, was tweeted with the simple message “R.I.P. Dearest Handle Williams.” Zeta-Jones shared a still from the movie.
Kim Cattrall, an actress and mother of two who costarred with the late actor in the 1999 television movie 36 Hours to Die, tweeted, “I’m in shock!”
“Farewell, Pricey Ensure. My sympathies go out to Pam, Gille, Ellie, and the family. a fantastic actor and friend.
“Sad information, relax in peace, brother,” Sharon Stone tweeted beside a screenshot of a news article claiming his death.
Mark Hamill shared a picture of them from the established with the caption, “Just got the terrible news that the globe has missing @Rtreatwilliams.” Mark Hamill was an uncredited storm base warrior with him in The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Such a wonderful individual, such a skilled actor, and such a cherished close friend. It breaks my heart. #RIP_Pal.”
“The numerous instances we worked collectively was generally remarkable and I was usually enthusiastic for the next time,” stated Emily VanCamp, the actress who portrayed Williams’ co-star in the film Everwood, with a picture of the actor in his youth. I’m offering my best wishes to your family, Deal with. Go get it, my dear friend.
“Treat and I spent months filming As soon as On a Time in America in Rome,” said James Woods, his co-star in the epic criminal offense drama from 1984.
“A long shoot can make traveling very lonely, but his constant sense of humor and amazing sense of humor have been invaluable. I’m saddened by his passing because he was someone I truly appreciated. #TreatWilliams, Godspeed.
Billy Baldwin penned a lengthy tribute to the celebrity in which he extolled his qualities as a clever, skillful, charming, witty, successful, attractive, and kind person. “Heart of gold.”
“A terrible loss,” he continued. He fought tirelessly to improve the climate and advance social fairness. We won’t get to see you. Manage your leisure time peacefully.
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