Snake in Toilet Sydney: How Likely Is It & What to Do

We’ve all seen or heard about the movie Snakes on a Plane, but in recent weeks, ‘snake in toilet bowl’ has made the national news.

This startling headline is not new, but it is becoming more common each summer in Australia. Snakes can not only find their way into your toilet bowl, they can swim through sewers and contort themselves through the s bend of your toilet pan to say hello. Freaked out yet? Let’s see how common it is to find a snake in your toilet bowl and what to do if you find one peeking under the toilet seat.

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT FINDING A SNAKE IN YOUR TOILET?

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW TO PREVENT A SNAKE IN YOUR TOILET BOWL

How do snakes get into the toilet? Surprise! Snake in the toilet bowl!

There are two ways for a snake to get into a toilet.

The first is through an opening in your house like an open window or sliding door. When it’s especially hot and dry in summer, snakes will look for water and the toilet bowl is the ultimate watering hole.

The second way snakes can get into a toilet is through an opening in the sewer. Sewers can be a hiding ground for mice and rats. Snakes will enter the sewer to get their next meal. They can make their way through a sewer and slither their way through the s bend of a toilet.

How often do snakes end up in toilets?

It’s a fairly rare occurrence for snakes to end up in a toilet. Most snake handlers retrieve snakes from backyards or in bedrooms, rather than from the toilet. However, the heat can make snakes come out more frequently, so the occurrence can increase if you haven’t put prevention mechanisms in place to deter a snake entering your home.

How to prevent a snake curling up in your toilet bowl

The best ways to prevent a snake making its way into your toilet is to make your home less attractive to the snake in the first place.

Keep windows and sliding doors in the bathroom closed or ensure the screens are fully intact so a snake can’t slide its way in.
Prevent a mouse or rat infestation in your home with the correct rodent protection. Snakes will follow the food trail, so if you have mice or rats near or in your house, get rid of them ASAP.
Ensure your ORG has the inserted grate and is not left open for a snake to enter.
Ensure seals on garage doors and any openings into your house are maintained.

Find out more here

Why Snakes Are More Likely in Sydney Toilets During Summer

Sydney’s warm, humid summers create the perfect conditions for snakes to me more active and adventurous. After heavy rain, frogs and small rodents often move closer to homes and drains, which in turn attracts snakes searching for food. When combine with the high temperatures, snakes are more likely to seek out cooler, damp spaces such as bathrooms, laundries and even toilets.

In recent years, licensed snake catchers have reported an increase in callouts across Sydney suburbs during summer. While it’s still rare to actually find a snake in your toilet bowl, the risk is slightly higher in hot, wet weather when they’re looking for shelter and water sources.

What to do if you find a snake in your toilet

If you ever glance down and spot a snake in the bowl, the most important thing is not to panic. Follow these steps:

Stay calm and avoid flushing – sudden movement or water pressure may stress the snake.
Keep the bathroom door closed to stop it from moving into other parts of the house.
Contact a licensed snake catcher immediately – they have the skills and equipment to remove it safely.
Call your plumber once it’s removed to check your overflow relief gully (ORD) and pipework for possible entry points.
Do not attempt to handle or remove the snake yourself – many species in NSW are venomous.

By acting calmly and quickly, you can ensure both your safety and the snake’s.

FAQ’s

Can Snakes really swim up toilets in Sydney? Yes, although it’s uncommon. Snakes can follow sewer pipes or enter through an uncovered overflow relief gully (ORG) near your home.
Which snakes are most likely to show up in Sydney bathrooms? Common local species include the eastern brown snake, red bellied black snake, and carpet python. The level of risk depends on the species – some are venomous, others are harmless.
Are snakes in toilets dangerous? Any unexpected snake encounter should be treated as dangerous. Even non-venomous snakes may strike if cornered, so always call a professional.
How can I snake-proof my bathroom? Keep your ORG properly covered with a mesh grate, seal gaps around pipes, and avoid leaving food scraps that attract rodent or frogs near drains.

What should you really worry about in the smallest room?

While a snake in the commode might be a reasonable fear, the bigger concern is a problem that doesn’t stop your heart when you see or hear it. Toilet problems that need more of your brain space than a potential serpent bite on the bum, include leaking toilets, toilet noise (indicating a possible leak in the cistern or an issue with drainage) bad toilet smells not directly attributable to any male in the house, or tree roots getting into your sewer pipes. If you don’t want these costs to bite you on the bum, call in a Gladesville Plumber Sydney!