Rats Swimming Up Toilet Pipes

Rat excluder — Excluder used to prevent rats from gaining access to toilets and other pipes. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel.

It may sound like an urban myth, but it isn’t. Rats can (and do) enter buildings through sewer pipes, including those that lead to toilets. I know this is true not only through conversation with other wildlife control professionals but also by personal experience. I was hired to remove a rat from a toilette. The area had a lot of rain and the rat probably decided to swim up the pipe to avoid drowning.

Fortunately, the likelihood of encountering a rat in the commode during your morning constitutional is quite low. However, if you are concerned or wish to prevent a future occurrence, then you may want to consider getting a pipe guard.

Pipe Guard to Prevent Rat Entry

I recently learned of a company that sells a one-way door designed to let sewage leave but prevent rats from entering. The company is called BMJ Environmental Barriers Ltd. Their address is
Unit 1 Klaxon Industrial Estate
751 Warwick Road
Tyseley
Birmingham
B11 2HA

Since the U.S. based manufacturer no longer produces the product, you may want to investigate this source. I want to be clear that I am NOT endorsing this product. I simply have no personal experience with this device and no research upon which to make a judgment. I am concerned about whether the dimensions of the device will fit U.S. pipes. I also wonder about how long the device will last given that it relies on a spring to keep the one-way flapper closed. The distributor says the product has a life-span of up to 30 years and that it has been tested by UK Government agencies.

Bottom Line

You may want to look into it. The company was also looking for a U.S. distributor.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He has no financial interest in the rat excluder mentioned in this article and has not received compensation for this posting.