Lizards, while often beneficial for managing insect populations, can become a nuisance when they enter living spaces, leaving droppings or startling occupants. The most effective approach involves a combination of physically blocking entry, removing attractive environmental factors, and safely using deterrents. By implementing methods focused on exclusion and habitat modification, homeowners can reduce the presence of lizards while ensuring the safety of people and pets. These practical steps offer a long-term solution to gently encourage lizards to remain in outdoor areas.
Physical Exclusion
The most reliable strategy for keeping lizards outside is physical exclusion. Lizards are adept at slipping through very small openings, meaning a thorough inspection of the building’s exterior is necessary. Focus on sealing any cracks, gaps, or holes in the foundation, window frames, and exterior walls.
Lizards can squeeze through openings far smaller than their head size, so sealing gaps wider than one-quarter of an inch is recommended. Use caulk, weatherstripping, or mortar to fill these spaces, paying particular attention to areas where different building materials meet. This structural maintenance not only deters lizards but also protects the home from other pests and moisture intrusion.
Doors and windows require specific attention, as they are frequent entry points. Check that all doors have tight-fitting sweeps installed along the bottom edge to eliminate the narrow gap. Ensure that all window screens are intact, repairing any tears or holes immediately.
Utility entry points, such as where pipes, wires, or vents pass through exterior walls, should be checked for gaps. Stuffing these openings with coarse materials like copper mesh or steel wool before sealing them with caulk can deter entry by both lizards and rodents. For larger ventilation openings like attic or soffit vents, cover them with fine hardware cloth.
Using 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch galvanized hardware cloth for screens and vents is effective at blocking small reptiles. The mesh should be secured tightly to the frame to ensure there are no loose edges. This measure creates a secure barrier around the building envelope.
Habitat Modification to Deter Lizards
Lizards are generally drawn to areas that provide three things: food, water, and shelter. By removing or reducing these resources immediately surrounding the home, the area becomes less appealing, encouraging the lizards to move elsewhere. This environmental control is a sustainable, long-term solution.
The primary food source for most common house lizards, such as geckos and anoles, is insects. Reducing the population of these insects is the most effective way to eliminate the lizard’s food supply. This involves targeted insect control, such as sealing food sources and eliminating areas where insects breed.
Outdoor lighting attracts flying insects, which in turn attract hunting lizards. Switching exterior lights to less appealing yellow or amber LED bulbs can significantly decrease the insect concentration near the house. Installing motion-sensor lights ensures that illumination is only used when necessary, further reducing the nighttime buffet for lizards.
Lizards seek out cool, damp, and cluttered areas for shelter and breeding, especially near foundations. Remove dense ground cover, thick mulch layers, wood piles, and discarded debris that provide hiding spots. Trimming shrubs and vines so they do not touch the walls of the house removes a direct pathway for lizards to climb the structure.
Standing water can also attract insects and provide a water source for the reptiles. Eliminate any sources of stagnant water, such as bird baths, clogged gutters, or poorly draining planters. Maintaining a dry, clean, and open perimeter around the home helps ensure the environment ceases to support a lizard population.
Using Repellents Safely
While physical exclusion and habitat modification are the most permanent solutions, repellents can be used as a supplementary measure to discourage lizards from specific areas. Repellents work by using scents or tastes that lizards find offensive, creating an invisible boundary. It is important to select non-toxic, safe options when using these products around the home.
Many effective commercial repellents utilize plant-based active ingredients like essential oils. Scents such as neem, cedarwood, lemongrass, or peppermint oil are known to be strong deterrents for lizards. These non-toxic products can be applied safely around children and pets, provided the label directions are followed.
Some natural home remedies also rely on pungent odors, with garlic being a common example. Placing garlic cloves near known lizard entry points may help deter them, as their sensitive olfactory systems are overwhelmed by the strong scent. A spray made from diluted pepper or chili powder can irritate lizards, but use caution to avoid eye or skin irritation for humans and pets.
Avoid using harsh chemical deterrents. Products like mothballs, which contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, are toxic and hazardous to human and animal health. These chemicals pose a significant risk of poisoning and should never be used as a lizard repellent inside or outside a residential structure.
Repellents should be seen as a temporary or localized solution, not a standalone defense. They require frequent reapplication, especially after rain or cleaning, to maintain their effectiveness. For optimal results, apply the chosen repellent along door and window frames, behind appliances, and in other sheltered areas where lizards are frequently observed.
Safe Removal and Handling
For the occasional lizard that manages to breach the defenses, safe and humane removal is the appropriate final step. Capturing a lizard already inside the home allows for relocation without causing harm to the animal. Handling should always be gentle to prevent injury to the lizard, particularly the tail, which many species can shed as a defense mechanism.
The simplest method for indoor capture is the cup-and-card technique. Place a plastic container or cup over the lizard and then carefully slide a piece of stiff paper or cardboard underneath the rim, trapping the animal inside. This method prevents direct contact and minimizes stress for the reptile.
Once the lizard is secured, it should be released outdoors a short distance away from the home. Releasing the lizard away from the foundation is usually sufficient to discourage immediate re-entry. Choose an area with natural cover, like a garden bed or a tree, where it can quickly find new shelter.
If indoor presence is persistent or large-scale, or if the reptile is an unfamiliar species, professional assistance may be necessary. Pest control professionals can identify the precise species and structural vulnerabilities contributing to the problem. They can also advise on targeted habitat management specific to the local environment.