Reactions have emerged following the death of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Personnel Lance Corporal Ogah Bercy, attached to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), who died of complications from snakebite in her toilet at the NAF Base Bill Clinton Drive Abuja few days ago. It a misery on how snakes and other reptiles manage to enter our bathrooms and toilets
Sewers can be a hiding ground for mice and rats. Snakes can enter the sewer to get their next meal. They can make their way through a sewer and slither their way through.
When talking about snakes getting into the toilet sink, some people think or assume that there’s already water inside the toilet sink, but according to plumbers, the toilet seat is designed in such a way that the water stays only in the sink and the pipe that leads to the septic tank or soakaway is always empty and free of water.
Most reptiles would find it difficult to jump or enter into the water closets, they always find it easier to enter from the concrete chambers at the back of the house through which sewage pipes get connected and through cracks, under the doors and crevices.
Below are the Six preventive ways to avoid snake infestations in your toilets:
1. 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 faster.
2. 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.
3. Keep your toilet lid closed at all times and you can also make use of a flat tile to cover your bathroom filter when you’re not in the bathroom so as to stop any further movement of the reptile through the pipes and also ensure that all pipes are well fixed and closed.
4. Always make sure that all the bushes around your house are properly cleared and well burnt so as to prevent any rodents or reptiles from harbouring around the house.
5. Lastly, always make sure you check inside your toilet sink before you sit on it, avoid using the toilet in the dark and public toilets are dangerous to use anyhow. If you must use them, don’t sit directly on them, lift up your buttock slightly above the bowl and be watchful.
6. Private facilities should engage services of professional pest controllers at least twice in a year to fumigate their apartments without excluding septic tank and plumbing chambers treatment while public facilities should do same on quarterly basis minimum.