Lizards are generally harmless and perform a beneficial function in an ecosystem by consuming various insects, including common pests. However, their presence in certain areas of a yard or around a home can be undesirable, leading people to seek exclusion methods. This approach centers on making the immediate environment less appealing to the reptiles by addressing their two primary needs: readily available food and secure shelter. Long-term success in keeping lizards away depends on consistent application of these non-toxic techniques.
Eliminating Environmental Attractants
Since lizards are insectivores, a primary step in deterrence is controlling the population of their prey, such as flies, crickets, and beetles. Reducing general insect activity can be achieved by removing standing water sources, which are breeding grounds for many small insects. Using motion-activated lighting, or switching to yellow or warmer-spectrum bulbs, near the home can also reduce the number of bugs attracted to outdoor fixtures at night, thereby limiting the lizards’ nocturnal buffet.
Another significant attractant is the availability of safe, undisturbed hiding spots. Lizards seek cover from predators and the elements, often finding refuge in cluttered areas. Clearing away debris, such as piles of wood, discarded building materials, or old equipment, eliminates these sheltered locations. Firewood stacks should be moved well away from the house foundation and kept elevated off the ground to prevent them from becoming lizard housing.
Managing landscaping elements is equally important for shelter removal. Lizards frequently hide and bask in dense ground cover or thick, low-lying shrubs. Trimming back these plants, especially those adjacent to the house, reduces their protective canopy and exposure to sunlight. Removing excessive leaf litter and mulch layers around the immediate perimeter of the yard deprives lizards of the moist, insulated spaces they use for nesting and thermal regulation.
Implementing Physical Barriers
Once the environment is less attractive, installing physical barriers prevents access to specific, unwanted areas like patios or house foundations. Any barrier must be fine-meshed and thoroughly sealed. For structural areas like porches or decks, fine-gauge hardware cloth or wire mesh can be installed around the base to prevent entry into the sheltered void underneath. This mesh should be buried a few inches below the ground surface and angled outward to discourage lizards from simply digging beneath the barrier.
A detailed inspection of the home’s foundation and exterior walls is necessary to identify potential entry points. Lizards can enter cracks as narrow as a quarter-inch, so all gaps, holes, and crevices should be sealed using exterior-grade caulk or mortar. Focus on areas where utility lines or pipes enter the house, as these spots often have small, unsealed voids.
Ensuring that exterior doors and windows are properly sealed is necessary. Installing tight-fitting door sweeps or weather stripping at the base of doors eliminates the small gap that lizards frequently utilize for entry into adjacent structures. Window screens must be free of tears and fit snugly to prevent access into sunrooms or screened porches. These structural modifications create a continuous physical defense around the protected area.
Utilizing Safe Sensory Deterrents
Lizards rely heavily on their sense of smell and taste, making non-toxic sensory deterrents an effective, temporary perimeter defense. Substances with strong, pungent odors or tastes can be applied to surfaces to discourage lizards from crossing them. A simple repellent can be created using capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat. Mixing cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce with water and a small amount of liquid soap creates a spray that irritates a lizard’s sensitive membranes without causing lasting harm.
Other aromatic deterrents include garlic and onion, which emit strong, sulfurous compounds lizards tend to avoid. Placing cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil or a mixture of garlic juice and water around entry points, such as window sills and foundation cracks, can establish a temporary olfactory boundary. Used coffee grounds, with their strong, abrasive texture and potent aroma, can also be sprinkled along the perimeter of the yard or garden beds.
For these sensory methods to remain effective, they require consistent reapplication, especially after rain or heavy watering. The deterrents should be strategically placed in high-traffic areas, such as along the base of fences, around potted plants, or near known basking spots. Certain plants, like mint, citronella, or eucalyptus, can also be grown near the house, as their oils naturally diffuse scents that lizards find unpleasant.