Heavy rainfall in Washington State this month has prompted officials to issue warnings regarding flooded roadways, water damage to homes, and a rare but concerning consequence: the emergence of toilet rats. The public health department for Seattle and King County alerted residents that the flooding could displace rats into sewers, potentially leading them to enter homes through toilets.

Toilet rats are not solely a result of flooding; they can also be caused by structural issues such as cracked or broken pipes that allow rodents to pass through, or by food scents that attract them to drains. This issue is particularly prevalent in urban areas with high rat populations, such as New York City.

Timothy Wong, the technical director of M&M Pest Control in Queens, reported that his company receives approximately 20 calls each year regarding toilet rats, typically from residents in basements or on lower floors. These calls are often urgent, with one instance noted where a customer reported a rat emerging from the toilet while they were using it. Wong emphasized the psychological impact of such invasions, stating that the bathroom is considered a private space in the home, and its violation can cause significant distress among residents.