The Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) is a small, nocturnal reptile that has spread globally due to its adaptability to human habitats. While generally harmless and functioning as natural pest control by feeding on insects, their droppings and presence indoors can become a nuisance. This guide provides practical, humane steps for removing these geckos from your home and implementing long-term prevention strategies.
Understanding Why Geckos Are Inside
Geckos are primarily drawn indoors by three survival factors: readily available food, suitable shelter, and favorable environmental conditions. As opportunistic insectivores, their presence often indicates an existing pest issue within the structure. They prey on common household arthropods, including spiders, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and moths, making any home with a steady supply of these insects a desirable hunting ground.
The species is nocturnal, and artificial exterior lighting plays a significant role in attracting its prey. Lights draw flying insects, which in turn attract geckos to walls and near entry points for easy feeding. Once indoors, geckos seek out dark, secluded spaces that offer warmth and moisture, such as behind appliances, under sinks, or within wall voids and ceilings.
These reptiles prefer warm, humid environments, which is why they are often found in tropical and subtropical regions. They gravitate toward areas of moisture accumulation, such as leaks or standing water, for hydration and because high humidity benefits their skin. Eliminating these attractive conditions is the first step in discouraging them from settling permanently inside your living space.
Immediate and Humane Removal Methods
For geckos currently inside the home, the most direct and humane method is catch-and-release, which requires safely containing the animal. A common technique involves cornering the gecko and placing a small container, such as a jar or shoebox, over it. Once the container is in place, slide a stiff piece of paper or cardboard underneath the rim to trap the gecko inside before transporting it outdoors for release.
If a gecko is on a wall or ceiling, a gentle spray of cool water may cause them to drop or scurry away, as they dislike the sudden temperature change. You can then guide the animal toward an exit using a soft-bristled broom or piece of paper, ensuring movements are gentle to avoid injury. Release the gecko in a shaded, vegetated area away from the home’s perimeter to prevent immediate re-entry.
Sticky traps, often used for insect control, can inadvertently capture geckos, which can be fatal if they struggle. If a gecko is stuck, do not attempt to pull it off, as this can tear its delicate skin. Instead, use an oily substance like vegetable oil or mineral oil to dissolve the adhesive. Gently apply the oil using a cotton swab around the trapped areas until the gecko can free itself. After release, wipe the gecko gently with a damp cloth or rinse with mild soapy water to remove excess oil, which can impede movement.
Natural repellents can be used temporarily to encourage a gecko to move toward an exit without direct contact. Geckos are sensitive to strong odors, and placing substances like garlic cloves or slices of onion near their hiding spots can irritate them sufficiently to make them seek a new location. A mixture containing capsaicin, such as a water and hot pepper juice dilution, can also be sprayed lightly around known entry points to create a mild deterrent barrier.
Long-Term Exclusion and Environmental Deterrents
Preventing future incursions requires focusing on long-term exclusion and making the home environment less appealing to the gecko. Structural sealing is the most effective preventative measure, as geckos can flatten their bodies to squeeze through surprisingly small cracks and gaps. Inspect the exterior of the house and seal all crevices, holes, and utility penetrations with appropriate materials, such as silicone caulk for small cracks and copper mesh or steel wool for larger openings around pipes and conduits.
Ensure that all windows have intact screens and that weather stripping around doors and garage entries is tight and maintained to eliminate small gaps at the threshold. The goal is to eliminate any opening larger than about a quarter-inch, which is sufficient to block their entry. This attention to detail prevents geckos from finding the tight, protected spaces they use for shelter and breeding.
The single most effective environmental deterrent is removing the gecko’s food source through diligent pest control. Reducing the population of insects like cockroaches, spiders, and moths eliminates the primary reason for the gecko to enter or remain near the structure. This can involve regular insecticide application around the perimeter, or simply maintaining a very clean interior to reduce insect harborage.
Adjusting exterior lighting greatly reduces the number of insects attracted to the home at night. Switching from bright white or mercury vapor bulbs to yellow or low-pressure sodium vapor lights significantly lowers the appeal to nocturnal insects, removing the gecko’s convenient hunting buffet. Maintain landscaping by trimming dense shrubs and foliage away from the foundation, as this eliminates the moist, dark hiding spots geckos use to rest near entry points.