While lizards can be fascinating creatures, they're not always welcome guests indoors. Many people have a phobia of reptiles, including lizards. When these creatures suddenly appear in front of them, these individuals may have to face fear and anxiety.
Here, we have brought effective and proven ways to get rid of lizards around the house. You can try any of these methods to avoid lizard sightings around your home.
Lizards can slip through surprisingly small openings. So, it is crucial to carefully inspect and seal any potential entry points to prevent lizards from entering your home.
The gaps and cracks in the exterior of the house, around doors, windows, pipes, vents, and utility lines, can be sealed using caulking or weather stripping. Pay special attention to areas where cables or wires enter your home, as lizards can squeeze through these tiny gaps.
Lizards primarily feed on insects such as flies, mosquitoes, ants, and spiders. So, reducing the insect population is one of the best ways to make your home less appealing to lizards.
Maintain a clean and tidy environment both inside and outside your home. Don't accumulate garbage and food scraps to avoid attracting insects. Keep kitchen counters, floors, and dining areas clean to eliminate crumbs and spills that can attract ants and other insects.
You must have observed lizards near your surroundings more in warm seasons. Lizards are cold-blooded and rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. This can definitely lead to them venturing indoors during warm weather, especially in search of warmth or following their prey (insects) that might be drawn inside.
Though this method does not significantly deter lizards, it can potentially reduce the extent of their visits to your house. Lizards may be less inclined to stay in areas that are cooler, especially if they are seeking warmth.
Using peacock feathers as a method to get rid of lizards is a traditional belief in some cultures. The idea behind this method is that lizards are believed to be afraid of peacock feathers due to their striking appearance and possibly because peacocks are natural predators of small reptiles in the wild.
To apply this method, the feathers are typically placed strategically around the house where lizards are seen or where they might enter. This could include placing them near entry points like doors, windows, and vents, or in areas where lizards tend to hide or frequent.
Lizards find the strong scent of citrus peels unpleasant. Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits contain natural compounds such as limonene and citral, which contribute to the distinct aroma of these fruits.
To use citrus peels effectively for repelling lizards, place the peels in areas where lizards frequently visit. You can either place whole peels or cut them into smaller pieces to release more of their scent. The peels should be regularly replaced to ensure the scent remains potent.
Coffee powder also possesses a strong aroma, which can repel many pests including lizards. This scent of coffee is attributed to compounds such as caffeine and other volatile organic compounds present in coffee beans.
You can directly sprinkle the coffee powder where lizards are frequently seen or around the perimeter of your home, particularly focusing on areas where lizards might hide or nest. As many lizards have a keen sense of smell, they avoid areas where the coffee smell is concentrated.
Pepper spray is a natural and relatively safe option compared to harsh chemicals, readily available, and easy to make. While commercially available pepper spray isn't recommended for lizards, a DIY pepper spray made with household spices can be a somewhat effective deterrent.
For preparation, simply combine 2 tablespoons of ground pepper with 1 cup (240 ml) of water. If you making a hot sauce spray, start with a few drops of hot sauce mixed with 1 cup of water. Gradually increase the amount based on the hot sauce strength.
Garlic and onion are commonly used as natural repellents for various insects. They have sulfur compounds and a strong odor which deters lizards from entering or remaining in treated areas.
One method of using garlic and onion as lizard repellents is to place crushed garlic cloves or sliced onion in strategic locations around your home where lizards are often seen or where they might enter. The scent emitted from these pieces can act as a natural barrier, driving the lizards away.
Eucalyptus oil is believed to repel lizards primarily due to its strong aroma and the presence of certain compounds that can be irritating to reptiles. The powerful, distinctive scent of the oil that is pleasant to us can be overwhelming to the sensitive olfactory systems of lizards.
Eucalyptus oil contains compounds such as cineole (also known as eucalyptol) that have insect-repellent properties. It can be applied in various forms to repel lizards, including diluted sprays, cotton balls soaked in the oil, or using eucalyptus oil in diffusers.
Vinegar has a pungent smell that interferes with the sensitive olfactory senses of lizards. This popular option for deterring lizards is a natural and relatively safe method to try.
To prepare vinegar spray, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. This dilution helps reduce the intensity of the vinegar's acidity while still maintaining its repellent properties. Spray the mix to the areas where lizards are commonly seen or where they may hide. Reapply the spray whenever the smell diminishes.
Ultrasonic repellents are available in the market that make use of high-frequency sound waves. These sound waves are above the hearing range of humans and most pets but within the range that some animals including lizards can detect. The sound easily irritates the lizards, encouraging them to leave the area.
Different species of lizards may respond differently to ultrasonic frequencies, with some being more sensitive to these sound waves than others. For effectiveness, proper placement of these devices is necessary.
Mothballs are commonly made of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. These pellets of a chemical pesticide sublimate with time, meaning they transit from a solid to a gas state, releasing vapors into the surrounding air.
Mothballs emit a strong and distinctive odor due to the vaporization of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. These chemicals work not only as repellents but also as pesticides. The vapors released by naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene can be toxic to lizards if they are exposed to high concentrations over extended periods.
Snake-repellent pods are devices primarily designed and marketed to deter snakes. These repellent pods made utilizing natural ingredients and strong scents are not irritating only to snakes but also to other reptiles including lizards.
Snake-repellent pods contain a blend of natural oils and botanical extracts. Ingredients like cedar oil, cinnamon oil and clove oil, that have repellant properties are commonly used. These pods are typically small, biodegradable capsules or sachets that can be placed strategically in areas where lizards are a concern.
Lemongrass is a popular choice for deterring lizards naturally due to its strong citrusy scent. This plant emits a strong citrusy aroma from its leaves and stems, particularly when crushed or bruised.
Lizards, like many pests, dislike strong odors. So wherever the lemon grass is planted, lizards get discouraged from lingering in those areas. So, by planting lemongrass around your home or garden, you create a natural barrier with a scent that lizards may find unpleasant or confusing.
Lizards are adept at finding hiding places in cluttered environments such as piles of wood, rocks, old pots, or dense vegetation. By decluttering these areas, we can reduce potential hiding spots where lizards can seek shelter and nest.
The cluttered outdoor spaces also harbor insects and small invertebrates, which are primary food sources for lizards. So, getting rid of clutter reduces the availability of these prey items, making your yard less attractive to lizards.
Catnip is another herb with a specific smell that deters lizards. Catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone, which is responsible for its characteristic odor and its effects on cats and other pests including lizards.
The strong scent of nepetalactone interferes with lizards' sensory perception. This unfamiliar smell from the catnip can easily prevent them from entering the treated areas.
Using Tabasco sauce as a spray to deter lizards is a popular home remedy that relies on the spicy and pungent nature of the sauce to discourage lizards from entering or staying in certain areas. This sauce contains capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat. This same capsaicin can irritate a lizard's senses, particularly their smell and possibly even their skin.
To make a Tabasco sauce spray, mix a small amount of Tabasco sauce with water in a spray bottle. You can use a few tablespoons of Tabasco sauce per cup of water. The effectiveness of Tabasco sauce as a lizard repellent may vary.
Sticky traps are typically flat boards or sheets coated with a strong adhesive. When lizards crawl onto these traps, they become stuck due to the adhesive surface, preventing them from moving further.
Though this method is common for pest control, its effectiveness for deterring lizards is debatable and raises ethical concerns. For using sticky traps, place them along walls and baseboards, near potential entry points, and in areas where lizards are known to frequent.
While lizards are generally more outdoor-oriented, they can occasionally find their way indoors in search of shelter, warmth, or food. Keeping doors and windows closed is a practical and straightforward approach to deterring lizards from entering indoor spaces.
Lizards, like many small pests, can enter buildings through open doors and windows (and even small spaces!). By keeping these openings closed, you create a physical barrier that limits their access to indoor areas. This reduces the likelihood of encountering lizards indoors and helps maintain a controlled environment.
The catch-and-release technique is a humane method used to remove lizards from indoor spaces and relocate them back into their natural outdoor habitats. This approach is favored by those who wish to avoid harming wildlife while managing their presence around homes or buildings.
The jar and cardboard trick, as well as using a humane Hav-a-Heart trap, are both effective methods for capturing and releasing lizards outdoors without causing harm. To capture a lizard using the jar and cardboard trick, gently place a wide-mouthed jar over the lizard and slide a piece of cardboard under the jar's mouth to trap the lizard inside.
While lizards seem not much harmful, they are known to cause various damages. Here are the known risks caused by these pests:
Lizards can cause minor structural damage to homes, particularly if they find their way into walls and ceilings. They might leave droppings and shed skin, which can accumulate and create unsanitary conditions.
Additionally, they may create small holes or entry points in search of shelter, which can compromise the integrity of building materials.
In gardens, lizards can be both beneficial and problematic. While they often eat pests, they can also damage plants by nibbling on leaves, flowers, and fruits. This feeding can stunt plant growth and reduce yield, especially in vegetable gardens.
Gardeners need to balance the benefits of natural pest control with potential plant damage.
Lizard droppings can carry harmful bacteria and pathogens, posing health risks to humans and pets. Contaminated surfaces and food can lead to illnesses.
Regular cleaning and preventive measures, like sealing entry points and using repellents, can help mitigate these risks and maintain a healthy living environment.
