The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Lizards Out of Your Home
While lizards are generally harmless and even helpful in controlling insect populations, they can be unwelcome visitors in your home. If you want to keep your space lizard-free, this guide will help you understand their behavior and implement effective measures to deter them.
Why Do Lizards Enter Homes?
Lizards are drawn to two primary things: food and shelter. They feed on insects and prefer warm, moist environments with hidden nooks to rest. Preventing their entry starts with addressing these factors.
Step 1: Prevent Entry
Seal Entry Points
Inspect your home for gaps around doors, windows, and vents. Seal these openings with caulk or weatherstripping, and cover vents with fine mesh to block entry.
Use Door Sweeps and Screens
Install door sweeps to close gaps under doors and ensure windows are fitted with screens. Check for any tears or damage in the screens and repair them promptly.
Step 2: Create an Unfriendly Environment for Lizards
Adjust Lighting
Outdoor lights attract insects, which in turn lure lizards. Opt for yellow “bug lights,” which are less attractive to insects, or reduce outdoor lighting near entrances altogether.
Control Temperature
Lizards are cold-blooded creatures and thrive in warm environments. Keep your rooms cooler to make your home less appealing to them.
Natural Repellents
Several household items can help deter lizards:
- Eggshells: Place cleaned, dried eggshells around windows and doors. The smell discourages lizards.
- Onions and Garlic: Leave slices near lizard-prone areas.
- Pepper Spray: Mix crushed black pepper with water and spray it around the home.
Chemical Repellents
Naphthalene balls (mothballs) are effective but must be used with caution, especially around children and pets.
Step 3: Eliminate Food Sources
Control Insect Populations
Since lizards feed on insects, reducing their food supply is crucial. Use insect repellents, traps, or insecticides to eliminate bugs. Fix leaky faucets and pipes, as moisture attracts insects.
Practice Proper Food Storage
Store food in airtight containers and avoid leaving food out overnight. Regularly clean crumbs and spills to avoid attracting insects.
Step 4: Reduce Hiding Spots
Declutter Your Home
Lizards seek hidden spaces to rest. Declutter storage rooms, closets, and basements, and organize items in sealed containers.
Garden Maintenance
Trim plants and bushes near windows and walls to reduce hiding spots. Remove woodpiles and debris close to your house to minimize lizard habitats.
Step 5: Use Barriers and Deterrents
Sticky Traps
Place non-toxic glue traps near areas where you’ve spotted lizards. These can help catch them humanely.
Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic pest repellents emit high-frequency sounds that deter lizards and other pests without harming them.
DIY Barriers
Applying petroleum jelly along walls or shelves creates a slippery surface that lizards struggle to climb.
Step 6: Remove Lizards Humanely
Coax Them Out
If you spot a lizard, gently guide it out with a broom or towel. Take care not to injure the creature.
Trap and Release
To safely capture a lizard, use a container or cardboard box to trap it. Release it outside, far from your house, to prevent it from returning.
Long-Term Solutions
Maintain a Clean Home
A tidy, pest-free home is uninviting to lizards. Regular cleaning, proper food storage, and pest control measures will help keep them away.
Seek Professional Help
If lizards persist despite your efforts, consider hiring professional pest control services. They can provide more robust solutions tailored to your home.
Pest-free Home
By sealing entry points, reducing food sources, and maintaining a clean and unwelcoming environment, you can effectively keep lizards out of your home. These simple yet effective measures ensure your space remains pest-free without harming these beneficial creatures.