IF you’ve noticed an increase in the number of spiders in your home, it could be related to your bathroom, according to a professional.
Mike Flook, plumbing expert from MeuBuilder.comshared how millions of Brits could be at risk from unwanted animals and creatures swimming in or climbing up their pipes, including rats.
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The expert revealed that numerous pests are capable of swimming or climbing through the plumbing into the bathroom, and the way to avoid this is to install a “non-return” valve.
He told Fabulous: “No one wants to find a mouse in the bathroom – and although it’s not common, it’s unfortunately a scenario that can happen.
“Fortunately, this can be easily avoided.
“A non-return valve blocks vermin from entering your home and prevents them from using your pipes as access to gain entry.”
Here are the creatures that can climb toilets in the UK, according to Mike…
Spiders
Although we don’t have many venomous spiders in the UK, for the arachnophobes among us, a spider in the toilet still comes as a terrible shock.
A non-return valve won’t stop spiders as they are small enough to get through, but cleaning their bowl with a citrus cleaner may do the trick.
Rats
Rats are abundant in sewers and are good swimmers.
They are easily able to enter the toilet bowl in the absence of a check valve.
Rats have flexible ribcage and are very athletic, able to climb quickly and wriggle into small spaces.
They can also hold their breath for up to three minutes and are experts at finding air pockets in U-turns.
To top it off, rats also have the strength to lift the lid of a closed toilet – so closing the lid will not stop these unwanted visitors from entering your home.
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Snakes
Although native snakes are not a problem, there are snakes in sewers, often escaped or abandoned pets.
It is highly unlikely that a snake will enter your bathroom, but it has happened and is not uncommon in some countries.
In fact, in 2023, a woman in Solihull was shocked to find an unknown species of snake in her toilet bowl.
Keep pests away all summer long
IF you want to ensure your home is pest-free this summer, here’s what you need to know.
Wasps and hornets – I hate the smell of peppermint oil, so spraying it liberally on your patio or porch can help keep them away.
Moths – Acidic household white vinegar is effective in deterring moths. Soak some kitchen paper in vinegar and leave it in the closet as a deterrent.
flying ants – herbs and spices such as cinnamon, mint, chili pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes – Plants, herbs, and essential oil fragrances can help deter mosquitoes inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender, and lemongrass.
Snakes are attracted to wherever prey goes – rats being an obvious example – and so can end up following them into bathrooms.
They can also be attracted when they are thirsty, so the summer months are riskier when water is harder to find.
Frogs
Frogspawn can be deposited in sewers, and recently (2020) the UK suffered a mass frog invasion in the toilets of a Derbyshire town.
Frogs can easily navigate pipes because they are amphibious, and while they are not harmful, they are not desirable bathroom guests.
A check valve would solve this potential viscous problem.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
