Heavy rain can send rats through sewer lines and into toilets
Multnomah County says older plumbing and damaged sewer lines can give rodents a way into homes. Pest control companies can use the warning to guide customer calls and explain when an inspection may help.
A rat in a toilet is rare, but it can happen. Heavy rain can push rats through sewer drains and into toilet bowls, according to KPTV, which reported advice from Multnomah County health officials.
Broken sewer lines and older plumbing can also make it easier for rodents to enter a home. That gives pest control companies a useful way to explain why customers may see rodent activity after storms, or in houses with plumbing problems.
The county’s advice for a live rat in the bowl is simple: stay calm, close the lid and flush. If that does not work, officials suggest adding dish soap to the toilet and flushing again.
If the rat still will not go down, the county says to keep the lid closed and call a pest control company. That gives a service provider a clear role after the household has tried the basic steps.
Treat signs around the home as a reason to look closer
A toilet sighting is not the only sign worth attention. Gnawing and digging around a home can point to rodent activity, said Cody Huddleston, owner of Critter Defense PDX, according to KPTV.
Huddleston said people should consider having a professional inspect a property when they notice those signs. He also noted that animals seek shelter as the weather changes and may look for weak spots around homes.
For pest control operators, the practical message is to ask customers what they have seen and where. A clear account of gnawing, digging or a rodent in a toilet can help a technician decide what areas to inspect.
The report does not say that every rat in a toilet points to a broken sewer line. It names damaged lines and older plumbing as possible ways rodents can get in, so providers should avoid promising a cause before checking the property.
Give customers calm steps before the visit
A customer who finds a rat may be frightened and unsure what to do. A short, written response can help staff give consistent guidance: close the lid, flush, try dish soap if needed, and call a pest control company if the rat remains.
The county’s advice is specific to a live rat in the toilet. Companies can keep that distinction clear when they talk with customers, then recommend an inspection when the person reports other signs of rodents around the home.
What owners can do this week
- Add the county’s toilet guidance to the call script or customer response template.
- Ask customers to note where they saw gnawing, digging or other rodent signs before an inspection.
- Remind field staff that older plumbing and broken sewer lines are possible entry routes, not confirmed causes.
- Review how the company handles urgent calls when a customer says a live rat is still in the toilet.