If you are wondering how to get rid of lizards at home naturally and permanently, this article is for you. There are several ways and natural methods that can help you get rid of house lizards permanently.
Lizards or geckos are very common mates in many Indian houses. These little reptiles play a significant role in our ecosystem. They eat insects and keep insect populations at bay. It is best to drive them out rather than kill them. Our tips will also include some ways that will help you get rid of lizards in house without killing them.
Most house lizards are not venomous and detrimental. Many reports and people claim that they are innocuous. But let’s face it—lizards are still scary. You need to be serious about driving away from your home so that your children can play peacefully.
I don’t have any personal connections with you. So, I cannot guess what your reaction will be to the sight of lizards in your home. But most people are afraid of these small creatures, despite knowing the fact that house lizards are not venomous.
Whenever I see a small lizard on the walls of the kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom moving hurriedly with small steps, I get scared.
No matter how daring you are, the presence of lizards in your home can frighten you. I am pretty sure that your wife and children are no exception. They can scream at the sight of creepy creatures. The best thing you need to do is to get rid of lizards at home permanently.
Getting Rid of Lizards at Home is Crucial for Peaceful Living
There is nothing more frustrating than opening a cupboard and seeing a disgusting glimpse of lizards. Small geckos are not only terrifying but also unsanitary. Although they are not poisonous, they can contaminate your foodstuff.
Therefore, keeping the home pest-free is imperative to ensure hygiene. You must not wait until they start startling you at every corner of your house. Take preventive measures as early as possible. Learn some important tips on how to remove lizards from house to curb the problem.
These gruesome creatures enter the house when the temperature increases. And eliminating them can be a big challenge for you. Lizards are almost impossible to catch because they are very clever and run fast on their tiny feet. That’s why most of us just try to shoo them away. But they come again and create a nuisance. So, you must look for some ways to get rid of lizards from your house permanently.
25 Home Remedies on How to Get Rid of Lizards Permanently
If are someone with Herpetophobia (the fear of reptiles), you must count on reliable sources to find tips on how to get rid of lizards in the house. Getting reliable, simple methods to get rid of geckos will ensure peaceful living in your home. Here are a few proven ways to get rid of common household reptiles.
1. Coffee Powder to Get Rid of Lizards
Getting rid of house lizards from home is a challenging task. But you will be surprised to know that coffee powder can drive them away from your home. Yes, you read it right. Coffee powder is an effective home remedy for removing small reptiles from a home.
Just like cockroaches, lizards also hate the strong smell of coffee powder. If you want to get lizards out of your home without killing them, then it is time to put your coffee powder at work. Spread the powder everywhere lizards frequently make their presence. Due to the strong odor, they will run away from your home.
2. Coffee Powder & Tobacco Mixture
The mixture of coffee powder and tobacco is more effective than only coffee powder. But this method may also kill the lizards. So, use this natural lizard removal method only when you are determined to kill rather than just deter them. If you are looking for ways to get rid of lizards at home without killing them, simply use coffee powder.
All you need to do is to prepare tiny balls with a combination of coffee powder and tobacco. Once the balls are made, place them at the corners of the rooms and everywhere lizards frequently come. The aroma of the mixture will attract the geckos.
When lizards eat these balls, they die because tobacco is toxic to them. If you are looking for a way to drive lizards out of the house without killing them, don’t use this method.
3. Onions or Shallots
Onions or shallots are a wonderful natural lizard repellent. If you are looking for an eco-friendly home remedy to deter creepy crawlies, use onions or shallots. I am pretty sure that you have these in your kitchen.
Onions or shallots contain sulfur compounds. Due to their high sulfur content, they produce a strong pungent smell. Lizards cannot tolerate the strong pungent smell of onions. Hence, they will get out of your home. Also, they will not dare to enter your home again.
So, cut out some slices of onions or shallots. Put them at the corners of the room or the places where you notice lizards coming inside the home.
Also, you can mix spray with onion juice and water. Spray the mixture everywhere lizards frequently come. The smell of sulfur content in onions will repel house geckos.
4. Garlic
Just like onions or shallots, garlic is also a natural lizard repellent. It also contains a high content of sulfur compounds that produce a strong pungent odor.
All you need to do is cut or grind some garlic cloves and place them everywhere lizards come frequently. You can also prepare a solution of garlic juice and water to spray in locations where lizards often come.
The strong smell of garlic will drive away lizards from your home. Garlic is also used as an effective home remedy for getting rid of mosquitoes and rats.
5. Eggshells
Eggs or eggshells contain a high content of sulfur compounds and produce a strong smell. It is believed that lizards cannot stand the strong smells of eggshells. If you throw away the eggshells after making fluffy omelets, you might want to think again.
Eggshells can be an excellent lizard repellent. So, scatter some eggshells around the house or in the kitchen. Due to strong smells, lizards will run away from your home. Make sure to replace eggshells every week as they may rot.
6. Naphthalene Balls / Mothballs
You have probably heard the importance of naphthalene balls (mothballs) in pest control. Placing these strong-smelling balls in storage boxes or bags can keep pests away. But did you know that they can also keep lizards away from your house?
Naphthalene balls, also called mothballs, are wonderful lizard repellent. They produce strong smells that lizards cannot tolerate. So, place these balls everywhere geckos are frequently seen. You can place mothballs in drawers, cupboards, closets, kitchen drawers, shelves, and under-sink cabinets. House lizards will find the strong smells of naphthalene balls grouchy and stay away from your home.
Be extra careful in using naphthalene balls in your home if you have children. Your children may assume mothballs as candies and eat or swallow them. Swallowing mothballs can be life-threatening for your children. So, ensure to keep these balls out of your children’s reach.
7. Phenyl
You probably know the importance of phenyl in house cleaning. Phenyl is the chemical that we use to wipe the floors of our homes. It has a different smell that is not pleasant to lizards.
Using phenyl spray around the house will keep lizards away. So, place spray phenyl at every corner of your house so that lizards cannot roam in the room. Ensure to keep phenyl out of reach of your children and pets.
8. Peacock Feathers
Peacocks are natural predators of all types of reptiles including snakes and house lizards. Although peacock features are not lizard-repellent, placing them in your home will keep lizards at bay. The smell of feathers will make lizards think that there is probably a peacock.
Hence, they will stay away from your home. So, hang peacock feathers in your room, windows, or doors. You can also keep a bund of peacock feathers in a flower base, at your main door, or near the windows.
This will not only keep lizards at bay but also enhance the aesthetics of your home décor. If you are looking for a method to get rid of lizards in your home without killing them, this is wonderful.
9. DIY Pepper Spray
If you do not want to kill lizards, it is best to use a trick that can drive them away from your home. Pepper spray is a safe-to-use trick to get rid of house geckos and prevent them from returning.
You can prepare pepper spray at your home easily using black pepper, red chilli powder, or hot chilli sauce. You might have these ingredients in your home kitchen. So, you should not have any difficulty in preparing pepper spray at home.
Mix some black pepper powder or red chilli powder in water to prepare the solution. Fill the solution into a spray bottle. Spray the solution everywhere you usually notice the presence of lizards and geckos. The spicy smell of pepper will make geckos uncomfortable, and they will run away from your place.
You can also spray directly on the lizards. The spray will create a burning sensation on the lizard’s body, and they will run away. Pepper spray can also help you get rid of rats, ants, and other pests from your home.
10. Crushed Black Pepper
Lizards cannot stand the spicy strong odor coming from black pepper. If you do not have time to prepare pepper spray, just crush the pepper and put it in a porous bag. Hang the bag and let the odor deter lizards from your house.
11. Red Chilli Powder / Dried Red Chilli
Just like black pepper, chilli powder will create the same effect. The spicy scent of red chilli powder will deter the lizards. Just keep chilli powder in a porous bag and hang it around the home to deter the creepy crawlies.
Many people prefer to grind dried red chilli instantly when preparing dishes. You may also not have a big fan of using red chilli powder in your spicy dishes. No problem! Just try dried red chilli. The effect will be almost the same.
Warning: Pepper and chilli can also create a burning sensation on your skin. So, be careful when using pepper or chilli to deter lizards.
12. Ice Cold Water
Have you noticed that lizards disappear in winter or extremely cold weather? What is the reason behind it? Lizards are cold-blooded creatures and love to live in warm and humid environments. They cannot tolerate cold. That’s why they hibernate in winter.
To get rid of lizards from your home, you can use ice-cold water. Simply, splash a cup of cold water on the lizard. Alternatively, you can also spray ice-cold water on the lizard. Cold water makes the lizards immobile.
When lizards face cold water, their minds remain active, but they are not able to move physically. This condition is called torpidity. Once the lizard is in a state of immobility, catch it and dispose of it.
13. Vinegar, Lemon, and Pepper Powder
I have made you aware of using chilli powder to deter lizards. Here is another technique that you can use to get rid of these creepy crawlies. Prepare a solution of vinegar, lemon juice, and pepper powder. This solution is a great lizard repellent.
The strong smell of vinegar and lemon will irritate lizards. And the pepper powder will cause a burning sensation to their skin, eyes, and nose.
To prepare the lizard repellent, take black pepper powder and chilli powder in a bowl. After that, add vinegar, lemon juice, and water. Mix the solution well. Then, pour the solution into a spray bottle and shake well. Voila! Your lizard-repellent spray is ready.
Spray the concoction either onto the lizard-infested surfaces or directly onto the lizards. It is one of the most effective ways to get rid of lizards naturally. I also use this method to deter lizards in my home.
14. Citronella Spray
The citronella grass is a perennial aromatic plant. It is a kind of fragrant lemongrass. But it is different from the lemongrass that you use for gastronomic purposes. It has a stronger smell than lemongrass smells. Also, it is distasteful, and you cannot use it in culinary. Some claims also say that it is slightly toxic. So, do not use it as a substitute for culinary lemongrass. Citronella is also the source of an essential oil known as “citronella oil”.
Let’s come to the main points. The strong aroma of citronella repels many types of pests, such as mosquitoes and lizards. For the best result, take water in a spray bottle and put a few drops of citronella oil into it. Spray the solution in the places where you notice frequent activities of lizards.
The strong scent will repel the lizards. This will not only ward off geckos but also make your home smell pleasant.
14. Lemongrass
Probably, you know the benefits of lemongrass. It is used in culinary for flavoring the preparation. But did you know that lemongrass is effective in repelling mosquitos and lizards as well? Yes, it is true.
Several reports say about the effectiveness of lemongrass as an excellent mosquito repellent. As you know well lizards love to eat insects like mosquitos and flies. Placing fresh stalks of lemongrass in your home will reduce the mosquito population. This will create a scarcity of food sources for lizards. As a result, lizards will have difficulty in breeding and will go away from your home.
Also, the strong scent of lemongrass will deter the lizards, as they don’t like any sort of strong smell. If you cannot find fresh stalks of lemongrass, you can also use lemongrass essential oil for the same purpose.
The aromatic lemongrass not only will help you get rid of lizards at home but also make your home smell pleasant.
15. Use Flypaper to Get Rid of Lizards
Flypaper is not a lizard-repellent. As the name suggests, it is used to catch houseflies. But it can also work as a wonderful trap for catching lizards.
Flypaper comes with strong adhesive. Stick some of these adhesive flypapers on the wall. You will find that some lizards are trapped in the adhesive. Dispose of them quickly.
16. Rat Glue Trap
Remember, the use of a rat glue trap. It is one of the most popular ways to get rid of rats and mice from home. You use it in your home to trap rats and get rid of them. This trap will work the same with catching lizards. Just hang rat glue sheets on walls and wait. Once you notice, lizards are trapped in the adhesive, dispose of them quickly.
Although rat glue sheets are available in the market, you can create your own DIY lizard trap using rat glue. To prepare the lizard trap, take pieces of cardboard sheets and apply the rat glue onto the surface. Hang the sheets on the walls or ceilings.
Dispose of the traps quickly once you notice the lizards are trapped.
17. Bleach
Bleach is a chemical that is available in the market in liquid form. It is one of the most popular cleaning supplies. We use it to clean surfaces in our homes. Did you know that bleach can deter lizards? Yes, it is true.
To ward off lizards from your home, clean infected areas with bleach. You can also spray it on the infected area. The smell of chemicals can keep house geckos at bay.
18. Keep Cats to Get Rid of Lizards
The cat is an adorable and cute domestic animal. It is one of the most popular pets in the world. If you have cats in your home, lizards should not be a problem for you.
Cats are hunters by nature. They can eat lizards, rats, and other insects as well. Hence, having cats in your home will go in your favor to reduce the lizard population. Also, lizards will not dare to enter your home because of the fear of cats. So, if you want to make your home lizard-free, keep cats.
19. Lizard Repellent Spray
If the above methods do not work in favor of you, then you might want to use commercial methods to kick out lizards from your home. Using commercial methods will help you get rid of lizards permanently.
All you need to do is to use commercial lizard repellent sprays. You can find lizard repellent sprays in supermarkets in your neighborhood. There are many types of commercial sprays available in the market that can effectively kick out lizards from your home permanently. Choose the right repellent spray and spray it in an ample amount in infected areas.
20. Do Not Leave Food Uncovered
Exposed food is one of the main reasons behind lizards in your home. You need to understand that lizards enter your home in search of food. If you have open or leftover food, you are going to have the sight of many types of insects such as flies and ants. And you know well that insects can attract lizards. So, never leave leftover or open food lying around.
Always clean your pots, pans, dishes, plates, and cups after using them. Make your dining table clean. Dispose of open or leftover food and keep the lids on the dustbin closed. Establish a routine to deep clean everything so that your home is free from other pests. This habit will help you get rid of lizards in your home.
21. Lower Your Room Temperature to Get Rid of Lizards
You know the fact that lizards cannot tolerate cold. That’s why they hibernate in winter. Lowering your room temperature will go in favor of you. Due to the cold environment lizards will either hide or drive away from your room. So, whenever you see lizards in your room, lower the temperature of your AC to 20-degree Celsius. After that, you can have a comfortable sleep without the fear of lizards.
22. Do Not Keep Stagnant Water
One of the best methods to prevent lizards from entering your home is to ensure that you do not have stagnant water. Having stagnant water in your home will help insects to breed. And this will attract lizards. So, get rid of stagnant water in your home if you do not want lizards in your home.
23. Fix Leaky Pipe to Get Rid of Lizards
Lizards prefer to live in moist and damp places. They can be found in your under-sink cabinets. Make sure you do not have a leaky pipe. The leaky pipe will act as a watering source for lizards and create a favorable damp atmosphere for them. So, consider fixing the leaky pipe as soon as possible.
24. Clean & Air Out Cabinets to Get Rid of Lizards
Lizards may also have their presence in your kitchen cabinets. You would never want lizards setting up their home and laying eggs in your kitchen cabinets. So, clean and air out cabinets regularly.
25. Seal Cracks, Holes, and Openings on Doors, Windows, and Walls
Think about how lizards enter and where they hide in your home. I am pretty sure that they enter your home through cracks on doors, windows, and walls. Also, they hide themselves in these places. So, it is better to seal every crack on doors, windows, and walls. This method will also stop other pests from entering your home.
Bonus Tip to Get Rid of Lizards at Home
26. Have Indoor Plants to Repel and Get Rid of Lizards
You are afraid of lizards in your home. You want to get rid of them but do not want to kill them. There are several methods that you can use to get rid of household lizards without killing them. One of the best ways to ward off lizards is to have some specific indoor plants. Yes, you read it right. There are certain indoor plants that can repel lizards. Plants with strong, pungent smell will particularly work in getting rid of creepy crawlies. Popular lizard repellent plants are peppermint plant, Japanese mint, pencil tree, herb-of-grace, and Nilgiri plant.
How to Prevent Entering Lizards in Your Home
To prevent lizards and geckos from entering your home, take the following measures.
- Keep your doors and windows closed, whenever not required.
- Seal cracks, holes, and openings that may be entry points or hideouts for lizards.
- Fix your leaky pipes.
- Clean your cabinets regularly to keep pests at bay.
- Do not leave open or leftover food around.
- Dispose of leftover food and keep the dustbin lid closed.
- Keep furniture at least 5 to 6 inches away from each other.
- Use onions, garlic, and peacock feathers to deter lizards.
- Keep cats to reduce the lizard population in your home.
- Use natural or commercial lizard repellent.
Lower AC temperature to ward off lizards from your home. - Clear out any stagnant water in your home.
- Make sure your home is free from insects. Insects like mosquitos, flies, and ants can attract lizards.
How to Clean Lizard Droppings
Lizards are scary. Cleaning their droppings can be an unpleasant experience. However, you need to do it.
Here is an effective method to clean the droppings of lizards in your home.
- Take the ingredients:
- 1/3 vinegar
- 1/3 water
- 1/3 dish-washing liquid
- Mix these ingredients well and fill the solution into a spray bottle.
- Spray the concoction on the lizard’s hiding places.
- Wipe out then.
Make sure that you wear hand gloves when wiping the droppings of lizards. It is best to use disposable gloves. After wiping out the surface, wash your hands thoroughly. The solution will also drive away lizards. Moreover, you can use this solution to get rid of ants in your home.
How to Get Rid of Lizards – FAQs
Q: What are the best methods to get rid of lizards and geckos at home?
Some of the best methods to get rid of lizards and geckos at home are the use of natural home remedies that do not kill them. Garlic cloves, peacock features, lemongrass, coffee powder, onions, and eggshells can effectively help you repel lizards from your home.
Q: How can I prevent lizards from entering my house?
Prevention is better than taking action to get rid of lizards at your home. To prevent entering lizards in your home, seal cracks and crevices in walls, windows, and doors. Keep your house clean and clutter-free to reduce the chances of lizard hiding spots.
Q: Can I use pesticides to eliminate lizards?
Using pesticides to eliminate lizards from your home will kill them. Since they can be beneficial in controlling insects like mosquitoes and houseflies, you must not kill them. Just use herbal home remedies so that they can get away from your home.
Q: What should I do if I find a lizard in my house?
If you notice a lizard in your home, use a gentle approach to drive it out of your home. Don’t kill it.
Q: Are lizards harmful to humans?
In general, lizards are not harmful. They eat insects and can be beneficial in controlling pests like mosquitoes.
Q: Are lizards poisonous?
Most house lizards are non-poisonous and harmless to humans. So, you do not need to worry at all. They won’t bite you. However, they can contaminate your food and transmit diseases.