Lizards are fascinating creatures, but they can quickly become a nuisance when they make their way into your home. These reptiles can carry diseases, contaminate food, and even damage your property. If you’re looking to keep lizards out of your house, there are a number of effective methods you can try.
Identifying and Sealing Entry Points
The first step in preventing lizards from entering your home is to identify and seal any potential entry points. These reptiles can squeeze through even the smallest cracks and crevices, so it’s important to be thorough.
- Inspect your home’s exterior for any gaps around windows, doors, vents, and pipes.
- Seal any cracks or holes with caulk, weatherstripping, or expanding foam.
- Install screens on all windows and doors to keep lizards out while allowing airflow.
- Trim any tree branches or vegetation that may be touching your home, as these can provide lizards with a pathway into your house.
Removing Attractants
Lizards are attracted to food, water, and shelter. By eliminating these attractants, you can make your home less inviting to these pests.
- Store food in airtight containers and keep pet food in sealed bags.
- Clean up any spills or crumbs immediately.
- Repair any leaks or dripping faucets to eliminate sources of water.
- Remove any piles of wood, leaves, or other debris from around your home, as these can provide hiding places for lizards.
Natural Deterrents
There are a number of natural substances that lizards find unappealing. You can use these substances to create a barrier around your home and deter lizards from entering.
- Essential oils: Lizards dislike the smell of certain essential oils, such as peppermint, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil. Diffusing these oils in your home or applying them to cotton balls and placing them around entry points can help keep lizards away.
- Garlic: Lizards also find the smell of garlic unappealing. You can plant garlic around your home’s perimeter or hang cloves of garlic in doorways and windows to deter these pests.
- Coffee grounds: Lizards dislike the smell and taste of coffee grounds. Sprinkle used coffee grounds around entry points or along the perimeter of your home to keep lizards out.
Humane Trapping and Release
If you find a lizard in your home, the most humane way to remove it is to catch it and release it outside. There are a number of different types of live traps available, such as glue traps, cage traps, and no-kill traps.
- Place the trap in an area where you’ve seen lizards or where there are potential entry points.
- Bait the trap with a small piece of food, such as a cricket or mealworm.
- Once the lizard is caught, release it in a safe location away from your home.
Professional Pest Control
If you’re having trouble preventing lizards from entering your home on your own, you may want to consider hiring a professional pest control company. These companies have the experience and expertise to identify and seal entry points, eliminate attractants, and implement effective pest control measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have lizards in my house?
There are a number of signs that may indicate you have lizards in your home, including:
- Droppings: Lizards leave behind small, black droppings that may look like mouse droppings.
- Skin: Lizards shed their skin regularly, so you may find small pieces of skin around your home.
- Tracks: Lizards can leave behind tracks in dust or dirt.
- Scratching noises: Lizards can make scratching noises as they move around your home.
Can lizards carry diseases?
Yes, lizards can carry diseases, such as Salmonella and E. coli. However, the risk of contracting a disease from a lizard is low if you practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly and avoiding contact with lizard droppings.
Are lizards harmful to my pets?
Lizards can be harmful to pets, especially small pets, such as cats and birds. Lizards can bite or scratch your pet, and they can also carry diseases that can be harmful to animals.
How much does it cost to hire a professional pest control company to remove lizards?
The cost of hiring a professional pest control company to remove lizards will vary depending on the size of your home, the extent of the infestation, and the company you choose. However, you can expect to pay between $100 and $300 for a single treatment.
