Can snakes come through toilets? Georgia experts confirm rare but real cases
If you’ve lived in the South or grown up with a fear of snakes, there’s a good chance that you heard the myth about a snake coming up through the pipes and showing up in your toilet.
While the scenario may seem highly unlikely, it turns out this myth is a reality in some cases, according to pest control experts, at Critter Control. Snakes often seek out cool and damp places to nest in during the summer, so a bathroom is the ideal nesting location for them.
Snakes will often maneuver through vents, ducts and pipes when entering buildings. Due to their attraction to water and dark places, snakes will naturally follow the flow of the plumbing system, sometimes landing them in the bathroom.
How to get a snake out of your home
Snakes are most dangerous when being handled and cornered, so it’s best not to try and remove them from your home on your own. Instead, contact pest control services near you and request their help to locate and remove the snake.
If danger is immediate or outside services are taking a longer time than anticipated, keep an eye on the snake while still keeping your distance. Never try to catch or trap a snake while unsupervised by professionals.
Signs of snakes in your home include shed skin and scattered droppings. A snake within your home may also be an indicator of a rodent infestation, which could lead to further structural damage. To make sure your home is free of snakes and rodents, consult a pest control.
What to do if a snake bites you
If bitten by a snake, do not panic. Out of Georgia’s 47 native snake species, only seven are venomous and all are treatable.
Your first step should be to call 911 to inform them that you have been bitten by a snake. In the meantime, you can treat the snakebite wound by:
Washing it with soap and water
Keeping the bitten area still and lower than the heart
Removing all constrictive clothing, rings or watches in case of swelling
For additional tips on handling snake bites, refer to the Johns Hopkins Medicine snakebite guide.
This story was originally published June 13, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Can snakes come through toilets? Georgia experts confirm rare but real cases."