How Often Do Rats Come Up Toilets? Shocking Truth & Prevention Tips

Introduction

Imagine going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, lifting the toilet lid, and finding a rat staring back at you. Sounds like a nightmare, right? Unfortunately, it’s more common than you think. Rats are incredible climbers, strong swimmers, and master escape artists. Sewer systems provide the perfect environment for them, and occasionally, they find their way into toilets.

But how often does this happen? And more importantly, how can you stop it? In this guide, we’ll explore how and why rats make their way into toilets, how often it occurs, and the best way to keep them out—including this must-have productfor ultimate protection.

How Often Do Rats Come Up Toilets?

Rats coming up toilets isn’t an everyday occurrence, but it does happen more often than people realize. In cities with old sewer systems, such as Houston, Denver,New York, London, and Chicago, cases are reported every year. Some experts estimate that about 2-3% of households in urban areas might experience a rat emerging from a toilet at some point.

Several factors increase the risk, including:

Nearby infestations – If there’s a rat problem in the sewer system near your home, the chances go up.
Heavy rain or flooding – Water can drive rats to seek higher ground, leading them into toilets.
Broken or old plumbing – Damaged pipes provide an easy access point for rats.
Food waste in drains – If rats smell food, they’ll follow the scent wherever it leads—even into a bathroom.

How Do Rats Get Into Toilets?

Rats are natural explorers, and sewer systems act as their highways. Here’s how they manage to reach your toilet:

Navigating the Sewers – Rats live and travel in underground sewage pipes. When searching for food or new nesting areas, they explore every possible path.
Swimming Through Pipes – Believe it or not, rats can hold their breath for up to 3 minutes and swim for nearly half a mile. This makes it easy for them to navigate the water-filled pipes leading to toilets.
Climbing the Toilet Trap – Their sharp claws and flexible bodies allow them to climb through the narrowest passages, including the U-bend of a toilet.
Emerging in Your Bathroom – Once inside, they have nowhere to go but up. And that’s when they pop out of the toilet bowl.

Signs That a Rat Might Be in Your Pipes

Even if you haven’t seen one yet, there are warning signs that rats may be lurking in your plumbing:

Scratching sounds from within walls or pipes
Unusual gurgling noises in the toilet
Water movement in the bowl without flushing
Droppings near the toilet
The toilet seat mysteriously moved.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to take action.

How to Stop Rats from Coming Up Your Toilet

You can prevent rat from coming up your toilet by investing in the best rat bait station for plumbing , the Sewer Assassin. Pest control companies need add this bait station to their arsenal of pest control supplies to help combat rodents in plumbing systems. Some of the benefits include.

Easy Installation: Installs in minutes without special tools.
First of its kind: Innovative bait station for plumbing systems
Fits Standard Sizes: Compatible with 3” and 4” plumbing clean-outs
Proven Results: Stops rodent infestation before they start.
Built to Last: Durable ABS plastic and stainless-steel construction
Revenue Booster: Create new service plans with recurring income potential.

Find out more about this one of a kind rat bait station here.

Other Ways to Keep Rats Out of Your Bathroom

Besides installing a rat blocker, here are additional steps you can take:

Seal Any Gaps & Cracks – Rats can squeeze through holes as small as a quarter. Inspect your home and seal any potential entry points.
Keep the Toilet Lid Closed – This won’t stop them from entering the bowl but will prevent them from getting into the house.
Don’t Flush Food Waste – Food attracts rats, so avoid flushing grease, scraps, or anything edible down the drain.
Use a Rat Repellent – Natural solutions like peppermint oil or commercial rat repellents can help deter them.
Regular Plumbing Inspections – Check your pipes for damage or leaks that could allow rats easy access. Have your plumber or pest control company use the Sewer Assassin to help combat this problem.

Is It Dangerous If a Rat Comes Up Your Toilet?

Yes, a rat in your toilet isn’t just gross—it’s a serious health hazard. Rats carry diseases such as:

Leptospirosis – Can be transmitted through rat urine in water.
Salmonella – Rats contaminate food and water sources.
Hantavirus – Found in rat droppings and urine, causing severe illness.

They also chew on pipes, wiring, and even toilet components, leading to expensive repairs.

What to Do If a Rat Appears in Your Toilet

If you find a rat in your toilet, stay calm and follow these steps:

Close the Lid & Weigh It Down – Prevent it from escaping into your home.
Flush the Toilet – Sometimes, this will send the rat back down.
Pour Bleach or Vinegar Down the Drain – This can deter other rats from trying to enter.
Call a Pest Control Professional – If you keep seeing rats, it’s time to get expert. Ask pest control professionals if they use the Sewer Assassin to prevent rats from getting into your plumbing system.
Install The Sewer Assassin – The best way to prevent this from happening again is to use a trusted rat prevention product like the Sewer Assassin.

What to Do If a Rat Appears in Your Toilet

Can rats bite you while using the toilet?

It’s rare but possible. Most rats are more afraid of humans than we are of them, so they usually try to escape rather than attack.

Do rats come up toilets in apartments?

Yes, apartments in cities with aging sewer systems are particularly at risk. Rats use pipes to travel between units.

Will keeping my bathroom clean prevent rats?

A clean bathroom helps, but the real issue is your plumbing. If your pipes allow access, rats can still get in.

How long can rats survive in a toilet?

Rats are tough. They can survive for days in a toilet bowl, feeding on whatever they find and even drinking the water.

Is the Sewer Assassin Rat Bait Station Expensive?

Not at all! This rat bait station is an affordable bait station which can help pest control companies increase their revenue.

Conclusion

Rats coming up toilets is a disturbing but real problem. While it doesn’t happen every day, the risk is significant enough that homeowners should take precautions. If you want 100% peace of mind, the Sewer Assassin is the best rodent bait solution for pest control companies .

Don’t wait until you have an unwelcome visitor in your bathroom—protect your home today with this best rat bait station for plumbing!

Stay proactive. Don’t let the rats win.

For more information, visit sewerassassin.com