Skinks are small, sleek lizards that are generally harmless and beneficial to the garden because they consume insect pests. However, their presence near the home can be unwanted, necessitating non-lethal exclusion methods. Deterring skinks relies on systematically removing the three primary attractants: safe places to hide, available water sources, and a steady food supply. Implementing structural modifications and habitat changes offers a long-term solution for encouraging these reptiles to relocate.
Eliminating Shelter and Water Sources
Skinks are ectotherms, relying on their environment to regulate body temperature, which makes accessible shelter a primary requirement. They seek dark, tight spaces to hide from predators and thermoregulate, alternating between sun-warmed surfaces and cool retreats. Removing potential hiding spots is the most effective way to make a yard uninhabitable for them.
This requires removing all unnecessary ground clutter, including construction debris, neglected gardening equipment, and wood piles. Skinks use stacked materials like lumber, bricks, or rock mounds as thermal refuges offering both sun exposure and shaded cover. Clearing away leaf litter and dense ground covers reduces access to the moist soil they need to prevent desiccation.
Moisture is a significant attractant, as skinks, like all reptiles, require water for hydration. Eliminating sources of standing water is important, as they will drink and sometimes soak in shallow pools. This includes fixing leaky outdoor faucets or irrigation lines and ensuring gutters are clean to prevent puddles near the foundation. Accessible sources like ground-level bird baths or water collected in overturned pots should be removed or modified.
Reducing the Skink Food Supply
Skinks are primarily insectivores, meaning their presence is tied to the abundance of prey, including spiders, crickets, slugs, and beetles. Reducing the population of these invertebrates will naturally decrease the yard’s appeal as a feeding ground. This strategy focuses on managing conditions that allow insect populations to thrive.
Excessive use of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or wood chips, creates a moist, dark environment that harbors large numbers of insects, slugs, and worms. Reducing the depth of mulch layers near the home and regularly turning the material disrupts these prey habitats. Compost piles should be managed carefully, kept far from the house, and sealed in containers to prevent them from becoming insect breeding hubs.
Controlling outdoor lighting reduces the food source, as exterior lights attract moths, beetles, and other flying insects. Switching to yellow or sodium vapor bulbs, which are less attractive to insects, or using motion-sensor lights minimizes the nightly insect buffet. This reduction in prey density makes the area less energetically valuable for the lizards.
Installing Physical Barriers and Fencing
When habitat modification is not sufficient, installing a physical barrier provides a final line of defense to block skinks from entering the yard or structure. The barrier must be made of materials with a mesh size small enough to exclude the lizards. Use hardware cloth or fine-mesh metal screen with a maximum opening of one-quarter inch or less for effective exclusion.
The installation technique is important, as skinks are capable burrowers and will attempt to go under obstructions. The fence material should be buried at least six inches deep into the soil and bent outward at a 90-degree angle to create a subterranean “apron” that prevents tunneling. The above-ground portion should be approximately 12 inches high, ensuring the material is taut and securely fastened to posts.
Structural integrity at the home’s foundation is also a component of this barrier strategy. Inspecting the perimeter of the house for small entry points is necessary to prevent skinks from moving into the structure. Gaps beneath door thresholds, foundation cracks, and utility line penetrations should be sealed using exterior-grade silicone caulk or a concrete patch. Vents, such as those for the crawl space or dryer, must be covered with fine-mesh metal screening to block entry while maintaining airflow.