No, it doesn’t happen just in horror movies. It’s very within the realm of possibility to find a snake in your toilet. Snakes know how to find their way into unusual places like the bathroom. They can slither through tiny spaces and climb up pipes.
So yes, you just found a baby snake in your toilet bowl. You’re left wondering just how it got there. And yes, like most people, you’re afraid of snakes and can’t remove it yourself.
But you have an idea; you want to flush the baby reptile down the toilet. It looks like a promising method. After all, flushing is the go-to method for many when disposing of most unwanted stuff. But one thing is standing in your way; you don’t know whether or not flushing the snake down the toilet will have it go away. Well, let’s find out!
Can You Flush a Baby Snake Down The Toilet?
The answer is a strict no; you shouldn’t flush a baby snake down the toilet. It’s an inhumane way to get rid of the snake and it can cause a lot of problems. So yes, as much as you don’t see a baby snake on the list of things you shouldn’t flush down your toilet, just find a humane and better way to get rid of the baby snake.
Before we get deeper into the core of this section, it’s worth mentioning that finding a baby snake – or snake – inside your toilet is extraordinarily unlikely. You still can, but that happens on rare occasions.
But if you happen to find one, whether in the bathroom or other area around the home, don’t flush it down the toilet! Flushing a baby snake down the toilet isn’t the best thing you can do.
You see, much like humans, animals like snakes are protected by the law. In the U.S., there are laws in place that make it illegal to harm, mutilate, or kill animals. So, by flushing the snake down the toilet, you’re breaking the law.
Not only that, but it’s also inhumane. Snakes are living creatures and they deserve to be treated with respect, just like any other animal.
Even worse, flushing the baby snake doesn’t promise to offer a solution. In fact, it can instead cause lots of issues with your toilet, but more of that will be coming in the next section.
For now, just know that flushing a baby snake down the toilet is illegal, inhumane, and downright cruel.
What Happens If You Flush a Snake Down The Toilet?
When you flush a snake down the toilet, it can either go down the drain or get stuck in the pipes. If it goes down the drain, it will end up in the sewer, where it can find its way back into your bathroom or someone else’s home. However, if it gets stuck in the pipes, it may attract a lot of toilet plumbing issues.
Before we proceed, it’s worth making one thing abundantly clear. You can’t kill a snake by flushing it down the toilet. Snakes won’t die from water as much as they may go through the piping.
Herpetologists – or reptile experts – will tell you that snakes are resilient creatures that can hold their breath for a very long time. These critters can stay submerged for up to an hour without any problems. So, if you flush a snake down the toilet, there’s zero chance of you drowning it.
Instead, the snake may go down the sewer or get stuck in the pipes. If it goes into the sewer, it can swim its way back into your bathroom or someone else’s toilet, which is certainly not what you want.
You can expect it to cause clogs and blockages where it gets stuck in the pipes. It’s not uncommon for a snake to wrap itself around the pipes, which can cause serious problems.
If the snake is big enough, it can cause a total blockage that will require the intervention of a professional plumber. So, you will have to pay for the plumber, but you’ll also have to deal with a very smelly bathroom.
Can a Snake Really Come Up Through a Toilet?
Yes, a snake can come up through a toilet, and perhaps that’s how it found its way into your bathroom in the first place. So yes, keep in mind that if you flush a snake down the toilet, there’s a chance it will come back up.
Snakes may enter your bathroom using several ways. They could swim up from the sewer or enter through open windows and doors.
They can also come through ventilation pipes on the roof, especially if there’s something they can use to get there. That could be tree branches touching the roof or even the ladder you used and left it leaning on the wall.
Of all these ways, ventilation pipes are the most likely way of infiltration, especially during the summer when snakes are looking for a cool and moist place to hide. So, if you live in an area with a high snake population, just beware of any trees or ladders next to your house.
As for the sewer, it’s also possible for snakes to come up through the toilet. However, this is more likely to happen if it was flushed somewhere else and made its way into the sewer.
Most snakes are good swimmers and can easily make their way through the piping until they find an opening. Once they find an opening, they can come up through the toilet and into your bathroom.
So, if you see a snake in your toilet, there’s some chance it came up from the sewer. But if you flushed it down the toilet, it’s also likely that it’s the same snake that made its way back up.
How Do You Stop Snakes From Getting Into Your Toilet?
You can stop snakes from getting into your toilet by using snake-proof ventilation pipes. Open ventilation pipes make it easy for snakes to slither through into your bathroom.
So, if you have open ventilation pipes, cover them with snake-proof mesh. That way, you’ll prevent snakes from getting through and into your bathroom. In fact, they’ll even keep other pests like rats from getting into your space – at least through the ventilation pipes.
You can also keep snakes out of your home by sealing any cracks and openings around doors and windows. If there are any cracks or gaps, fill them with caulk or another sealant.
If you live in areas where snakes are prevalent, you may need a more permanent solution. In that case, you can install snake-proof fencing around your property, which will keep snakes from getting into your yard and eventually making their way into your home.
Alternatively, you can think of using snake deterrents. These products work by releasing a scent that snakes don’t like, which will keep them away from your home, and toilet in that case.
Can Snakes Come Up Your Shower Drain?
Yes, snakes can come up your shower drain. In fact, they can come up any drain in your home if they’re small enough. But again, it’s an infrequent occurrence. In fact, you may never see one in the shower drain your entire life.
Snakes will only come up your drain if they’re small enough to fit through the opening. For example, a common garter snake can’t get through a shower drain because they’re just too big. So, if you see a snake in your shower, it’s most likely not a garter snake.
But that doesn’t mean that all snakes can’t get through your shower drain. Some snakes are small enough to slither through the opening. For example, a baby brown snake can fit through a shower drain.
You see, the thing with snakes is the majority are good swimmers. So, if there’s any water in the drain, they can easily swim up. They can also climb up the drain if there’s something they can use for support, like a pipe or a wire.
But as we’ve already said, like with the toilet, there’s a minimal chance they’ll make their way into your home through the drain. And if they do, then we will be talking about the small snakes, which are usually non-venomous.
So, if you’re worried about snakes coming up your drain, just get a snake-proof drain cover, and this will prevent them from swimming or climbing up and into your home.
What Do You Do If You Find a Snake in a Toilet?
After you find a snake in your toilet, the first thing you should do is stay calm. I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s essential to keep a level head. Snakes are more scared of you than you are of them.
The next thing you should do is try to identify the snake. If you can’t, then it’s best to err on the side of caution and assume it’s venomous.
Once you’ve identified the snake, you need to decide what to do with it. If it’s a venomous snake, call animal control to safely remove the snake from your home.
If it’s a non-venomous snake, then you have a few options. You can either try to remove it yourself or call animal control. If you decide to remove it yourself, then be careful. Remember, snakes are scared of you, and they will bite if they feel threatened.
If you’re afraid of the non-venomous snake, again call animal control. They have the experience and equipment to safely remove the snake from your home.
Conclusion: Can you flush a snake down the toilet?
No, it’s inhumane and doesn’t guarantee to offer a solution. The snake may eventually come back to your toilet, swim to someone else’s bathroom, or even cause clogs. If you have a snake in your home, the best thing to do is call animal control if it’s venomous or you can’t remove it yourself.