These Creepy Critters Are Getting in Your Home—By way of Your Plumbing

You probably already know that when the weather is colder, insects and rodents take refuge in your cozy, warm accommodation. And you probably already know how to get in – through cracks in the foundation and gaps under the doors and windows.

But you may not know of any other way pests can get into your home: your water pipes.

Yes, it’s a real-life horror movie that could unfold if you’re not careful. To make sure the only unwanted guests in your home this season are your in-laws, we spoke to plumbing and pest control experts to find out exactly how these animals enter and how to keep them out.

Mice and rats

When the cats are away (and sometimes they aren’t), the rodents come out to play around your house. And it’s not uncommon for them to sneak in through broken pipes or even down the toilet.

“Mice are a bit like cats in that their bodies appear to be almost fluid,” says Ed Spicer, CEO of Pest Strategies. “It allows them to squeeze their way through almost any hole larger than a dime.”

And a small crack in one of your sewer pipes might just be enough.

“Rats tend to walk into your home in style – and by ‘style’ I mean they come through the bathroom,” says Spicer.

That may sound too scary to be true, but he assures us that it is very possible: “Rats are completely at home in sewers and can swim for up to three days at a time.”

Before you slam every toilet bowl cover in the house, however, here are some things to keep in mind: You can avoid kicking the mouth in your bathroom this winter by installing a multiple flap. This one-way valve lets everything go down and nothing comes up.

frogs

“Frogs are one of the most common creatures in your bathroom,” says Doyle James, President of Mr. Rooter Plumbing. This makes sense because frogs like to live near water.

“Some frogs can climb on the roof of your house and go through the vent pipe and eventually go down to your toilet,” explains James. “Other types of frogs could come through the sewer pipe from below the ground and usually enter through a crack or opening in the pipe.”

Make sure your roof vent is closed to keep those pesky funnels out. Frogs often find their way through an open stacking pipe on the roof that is part of your sewer system that releases gas and fumes.

“If that’s the case, you’ll need to buy a stacking pipe cover or strainer to put it over the pipe,” says James. “The cover still lets out fumes, but it’s small enough that no animals can get in.”

Cockroaches

You might not be shocked, but you don’t have to put up with cockroaches invading your home from the plumbing work.

“Cockroaches can cause serious illness,” says Kristiana Kripena by InsectCop. “Because they reproduce quickly, a few cockroaches invading your home can easily become a full-blown infestation, accompanied by malodor and many other consequences.”

As mentioned earlier, the first step in removing pests is to find out where they came from. But sometimes – and especially in the case of cockroaches coming through the drainage systems – this can be difficult to figure out.

“Start with the X method to see what drains are the problem,” suggests Kripena. “In the evening, just stick an X over all drains and leave it overnight. In the morning, you will see what drains pests live in as they stick to the tape. “

Once you know what drains they come from, you can install a plug to keep them out.

Squirrels and possums

Yes, you read that right.

“Some animals don’t come out of the sewers,” says Spicer. “Squirrels and baby possums can land on your roof. Then they may decide to crawl over your nice, warm vent pipe. Baby possums are often small enough to fit, but if you ever see a grown adult somehow get out of your toilet, have my condolences. “

Even if these uninvited animals are less common, you should still make sure that you are doing everything you can to keep them out.

“These pests can transmit disease and seriously damage your home by chewing away insulation and cables.”

Again, it is important to close these vents! Call a plumber or do the dirty work yourself to find out about every opening in your home’s plumbing. Make sure these openings are properly covered for the best opportunity to keep living things out.