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.
Ricki Lake faced criticism for sharing a photo when she was entirely unclothed
Right now is one of Ricki Lake’s “most favorable” times of her life.
A former talk show presenter posted a self-portrait of herself on Instagram on Monday, showcasing her emotions and complexion.
In the picture, 54-year-old Lake is seen smiling and dressed as she relaxes herself in an outdoor Jacuzzi surrounded by towering redwood trees.
“These are the best days of my life,” she firmly declared.
“At fifty-four and a half, still comparatively young!” I’m grateful for everything that had to happen in order for me to get here. “A place defined by complete acceptance and love of oneself,” she remarked.
Lake began her journey towards self-acceptance in 2019, but she didn’t reveal it to the public until 2022.
She revealed a previously unreleased video of herself shaving her head in December 2022.
a 2019 video from this year. Her hair loss was caused by androgenetic alopecia, which she acknowledged having for 30 years in the video’s caption.
Although they had never shared unedited video footage previously, Lake stated in the description that they wished to do it now. They expressed their desire to spread the word to everyone who has followed their path and expressed interest in it. Since I know that some of you have experienced my battle firsthand, I want you to know that I truly understand your sorrow.
You may see me achieve serenity, freedom, and most importantly, self-care and self-approval in this movie.
Lake’s hair grew back after shaving, and she now embraces her “naturally gray and sometimes untamed head of hair.”
May peace and understanding come to everyone who is struggling. Life is far too short.
Even though some find the image insulting, she won’t back down.
“I don’t know why someone feels the need to present themselves in such a way,” said one person, to which another responded, “That’s okay, but why do we have to witness it, just curious.” I think it’s a little weird to post a picture of oneself online where you’re almost completely naked. In my opinion.
She did not seem to be offended by them either, but she also did not reply to any of them. We are free to respect the independence of the artists whose creations we appreciate and to share everything they so want.
What do you think of her post on the internet?
We believe that her primary statement merits particular attention. Spending time worrying about things we can’t control is a waste of time. We must be able to accept and care for our imperfections as well as ourselves!
Tell your friends and family about this post, please!
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