first encounter with a septic system

[Sore Thumb Suburbanite]

So my dad just bought this awesome25 acre property in a wonderful little farm and ranch town . Escrow just closed on Wednesday the 20th and Sunday my husband my baby, my dad and his buddy went down to clean up the 6,000 sq foot shop on there. I wasn't excited about not being able to help since it was so overrun with mice and hence was filthy...so I and my son stayed under the olive trees. About noon my husband runs to get me and wants me to go to the tiny bathroom in the shop. Apparently there was something wonderful there judging by his excitement...i thought they had found a hidden lock box full of money or something...Low an behold, when we walk through the door there is a quick disturbance in the toilet and I see something moving. As I got closer I saw a huge frog swim down into the toilet pipes. It was the most unexpected thing I have encountered in a very long time. My husband, dad and my dads friend did not put the frog in there just to amuse me, it surprised us all. I had no idea frogs could survive in a septic system let alone live in a toilet bowl and navigate plumbing. The shop has probably been out of use for over 5 years...maybe 10 or more. I don't know septic systems, it doesn't seem like the frog could have even gotten in the toilet in the first place since Its shut away in a locked shop. Do you think the frog lives in the septic system? I am beginning to think that someone put him in the bowl or he found his way into the shop through some hole and got in it himself. Has anyone encountered this in rural settings?

 

[cassie]

Do you have a septic tank or a lagoon? A frog in a lagoon would not surprise me.

I would be very very careful about cleaning up after the mice. If I were you I would use a mask and gloves. I am not a paranoid clean freak by any means, but mice can transmit hanta virus. It causes a very serious respiratory infection that does not respond to antibiotics. You can get the infection by inhaling dust contaminated with deer mouse urine. Obviously, not all mouse colonies are infected with hanta virus, but this is a case to err on the side of caution. Hanta virus infections have a very high rate of mortality even with prompt treatment. Hanta virus infections are often initially confused with the flu which delays treatment. I urge you to google hanta virus before your next foray to the mouse contaminated area.

 

[kevs-chickadees]

I don't know a whole lot about the septics but it wouldn't surprise me if a frog was able to navigate through the trap of a toilet. If it had been sitting for a while the trap would have dried up and there wouldn't have been any water to navigate through anyway. If there was water it's only about 6" in length in the trap and I would think a frog would have no problem with that. I'm guessing the septic tank and system itself goes through phases. If the septic tank had been remotely active recently nothing but bacteria should be able to survive in it. When those sit after being in use they create a gas (hydrogen something) that is very poisonous. That is why the tanks themselves are a very thick concrete material.

 

[OldGuy43]

Lots of experience with septic systems over the years, (and outhouses for that matter).

First, I'm assuming a fact not in evidence; That Orange County means Orange County, California. Assuming that's where you are located than, the State of California being as maniacal about the environment as it is, you have a real closed septic system and not an open lagoon.

My next assumption is that, before closing, the property would have been inspected, and that would have included the septic system and therefore it has no flaws. Since it is a closed system there is no way that a frog, even if it wanted to could get in from the tank end.

All of this leads me to believe one of two possible things happened:

1. Someone put the frog in the toilet,
2. Or far more likely, the frog, while searching for water jumped in and couldn't get out.

 

[Sore Thumb Suburbanite]

I didn't go into the shop to help with the cleanup...just to see the frog. I wouldn't expose myself or my son to the gross stuff in the air. I am sure its a septic tank. I don't know that my dad had the property inspected, he is the kind of person who doesn't want to pay for anything he thinks he knows about. I think there was a hole around the foundation where the mice were getting in...could the frog have smelled the water from outside and found the toilet? Can it get out or should we get it out ourselves?
One thing I was happy with about having a frog in the toilet was how sparkling he has kept the bowl... it looks like it was just cleaned and nobody has been in there for a really long time.
anyway, I'll check to see if its a lagoon or septic, it was put in back in the early 80's and the property is in San Diego county in the foothills /mountains. There is a trap outside the building for dumping motor home waste, maybe someone left it open and the frog got in that way. Who knows. I just don't want to kill it...it was really cool looking.

 

[zazouse]

Just be careful if the frog can make it there a snake can also, i be looking befor i sat down on that toilet

 

[OldGuy43]

I'm sure the mortgage company insisted on an inspection and there are the laws involving full disclourse.

Yes, take him out, even if you don't plan on using the commode. Frogs can drown.

 

[Sore Thumb Suburbanite]

Oh my gosh...I so needed more heebie jeebies. I don't think there are any water snakes around there... the frog is bad enough to have inches Arawak from your rear.

 

[coloradochick]

Just be careful if the frog can make it there a snake can also, i be looking befor i sat down on that toilet

OMGosh!!! That gives me the heeby jeebs big time. shiver shiver goose bumps