Natural plant repellents offer a non-chemical solution for managing lizards near living spaces. While many species are beneficial, consuming pest insects like spiders and roaches, their presence near entryways or inside the home is often unwelcome. Utilizing certain plants creates a natural barrier that encourages lizards to relocate without causing them harm by introducing scents they actively avoid. The goal is to make specific areas less appealing, providing a gentle form of exclusion.
Understanding How Plants Deter Lizards
Plants deter lizards through the reptiles’ highly developed sense of smell and taste, known as chemoreception. Lizards use a specialized sensory organ called the vomeronasal organ, or Jacobson’s organ, which requires them to “taste” the air by flicking their tongue to pick up scent particles. Certain plants release high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are irritating or overwhelming to this delicate system. These compounds function as deterrents, not poisons, by signaling the area as undesirable. This strong odor prompts the lizard to seek a more neutral environment elsewhere.
Specific Plants That Act as Natural Repellents
Many common herbs and flowering plants produce aromas that lizards find offensive. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is effective due to its strong menthol content. The pungent menthol scent is often too intense for the lizard’s sensitive vomeronasal organ. Another potent deterrent is the Garlic plant (Allium sativum), which contains the sulfur-based compound allicin. Allicin is responsible for the characteristic, overpowering odor of crushed garlic and acts as an irritant to many pests.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is known for its fragrance to humans, but lizards are repelled by its concentrated aroma. The plant’s essential oil contains linalool, which prompts avoidance in many small animals. Marigolds (Tagetes species) are also useful additions. While they contain the insecticide pyrethrin, the strong, musky scent emitted by the plant itself is sufficient to create an unwelcoming zone for lizards.
Strategic Planting and Application Methods
To maximize the effectiveness of these plants, strategic placement is necessary. Plants like peppermint or lavender should be grown in pots and placed directly near common lizard entry points, such as outside doorways, along window sills, and around the foundation of the home. The goal is to create a continuous, concentrated scent barrier at ground level where the lizards are most likely to travel. For areas where planting is impractical, such as inside garages or sheds, alternative applications are necessary.
Using the plants’ concentrated oils provides a more intense deterrent effect. You can create an effective spray by mixing water with essential oils from peppermint or lemongrass. This mixture should be applied to corners, cracks, and crevices where lizards hide or enter, and must be refreshed every few days to maintain potency. Another simple application involves placing crushed garlic cloves or dried herb sachets in confined spaces. Regular trimming of the live plants also helps to stimulate new growth, ensuring the continuous release of volatile compounds.