Lizards are common guests in our home, more so than that 6th-floor auntie who visits your mum every so often.
There are more than 6000 species of lizards in the world but on the part of the earth we live in, the 4 common species are Four-Clawed Gecko (Gehyra mutilata), Asian House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), Flat-Tailed Gecko (Cosymbotus platyurus) and Spotted House Gecko (Gekko monarchus).
The typical house gecko does not pose any immediate health threat, and while some of us find them disgusting, it’s important to know that geckos feed on common household creepy crawlies like fruit flies, spiders and even mosquitoes.
Lizard climbing on the wall at home. Picture: iProperty
Still, if you don’t like them, here are some of the best ways to get rid of lizards:
1. Cover leftovers and get rid of stagnant liquids
Flies are attracted to uncovered food and mosquitoes to liquids for breeding. Remember, lizards are natural predators of flies and mosquitoes, so they will be attracted to homes with plenty of prey.
As the first step in lizard prevention, keep your house clear of uncovered food and get rid of any stagnant liquids.
2. Using natural repellents for humane prevention
Picture: pixabay
Garlic and onions are a natural repellent as it gives off a strong pungent smell. Besides repelling lizards, it also repels a wide range of other pests. Just place a few pieces in the corners of your home, and these pests will stay out of the area.
Alternatively, you can also mix some garlic or onion juice into water and spray it all over your home. This is a secondary option because not everyone is a fan of the smell of garlic or onion.
Cayenne Pepper is another popular repellent spray. Mix some crushed red pepper into the water and spray it in places where you notice lizards frequenting. The mixture works both indoors and outdoors, and it’s also great for repelling cockroaches and ants. However, for pet owners, it might not be the best solution because Cayenne pepper also causes reactions in dogs and cats.
Peacock Feathers is an interesting natural repellent as lizards seem to be afraid of them. There is no definite reason for this but they seem to work well with keeping lizards at bay. Place the feathers on the wall and they serve both as a wall deco and a lizard repellent.
Save the shells, it can be useful. Picture: pixabay
Egg Shells seem to be effective in getting rid of lizards from the house, even though no one really knows the actual science behind it. Some say the odour of the eggshells repel the lizards, while others theorise that the eggshells cut the lizard’s body when they crawl over them, making them think twice about coming back. Eggshells are a cost-effective method: Save the shells after peeling your hard-boiled eggs.
3. Humane ways to trap and release lizards
Spraying ice cold water is a great way to drive lizards away. Lizards are cold-blooded creatures and depend on external heat to stay warm. Coldwater lowers the lizard’s body temperature and immobilises it for a few minutes. You can then scoop it up and dispose if the lizard easily. Instead of playing hide and seek with these reptiles, spraying ice-cold water is one of the easiest and quickest solutions when it comes to scaring them away.
Create a DIY Lizard Trap if you do not want to harm the lizard in any way. Use a simple cardboard box, and place some lettuce in it. Wait for the lizard to take the bait, then shut it tight over them. You can then take the box elsewhere and release the lizard.
See more: How to get rid of spiders safely from your home
4. Chemical & Non-natural Repellents
Naphthalene Balls (also known as Mothball) are one of the world’s most effective household repellents. It contains an organic compound called Naphthalene, which is extracted from the distillation of coal tar. The smell these balls create is effective in scaring both lizards and moths away.
Phenyl tablets, also known as Phenylephrine, is used for the temporary relief of stuffy nose, sinus, and runny nose caused by common flu, cold or allergy. They are also effective in getting rid of lizards. Place them at all possible entrances of your home, and the smell will repel them naturally. This solution is not for families with infants or young kids as the could accidentally grab and swallow the tablet.
5. Natural ingredients that kill lizards
Coffee powder. Picture: pixabay
Mix ground coffee powder with a little tobacco and you will create a killer lizard trap. Roll them into tiny balls and place them around windows, doors and furniture. These tiny balls act like the bait and are toxic to the lizards. After they eat these little balls, they will die. All you need to do is remove the bodies afterwards.
That’s a pretty comprehensive list for lizard prevention, and we hope that you’ll be able to use this to make your home lizard and pest free. If you have any more tips, please feel free to let us know!
