Garden lizards are common visitors in outdoor spaces, and while they are generally harmless, some homeowners may find their presence undesirable.
These reptiles can sometimes startle people or disrupt the aesthetic of a well-maintained garden. Understanding effective and humane methods to get rid of garden lizards is essential for those who wish to maintain a lizard-free environment without causing harm to these creatures.
This guide on how to get rid of garden lizards will provide practical and eco-friendly solutions to help you manage the problem efficiently.
Why Get Rid of Garden Lizards?
While garden lizards play a beneficial role in controlling insect populations, there are several reasons why homeowners may prefer to remove them from their gardens. For some, the mere presence of these reptiles can be unsettling or even frightening, especially for individuals with a fear of lizards. Additionally, garden lizards may sometimes enter homes, leading to unwanted encounters indoors.
They can also disrupt the visual harmony of a neatly organized garden by perching on plants or climbing walls. Lastly, in areas where certain lizard species are abundant, their droppings may create additional cleaning challenges. Addressing these concerns in a humane and environmentally friendly manner is key to maintaining a comfortable and welcoming garden space.
Needed Materials
Certain materials may be needed to coexist effectively with garden lizards. These include:
Barriers:
Installing barriers such as fences or mesh screens can prevent lizards from entering certain areas of the garden or home. These can be made of various materials such as wood, plastic or metal.
Repellents:
Natural repellents like citrus peels, coffee grounds and garlic can discourage lizards from entering an area. Commercially available lizard repellents are also an option, but it’s important to check the ingredients for any harmful chemicals that could harm the environment or other animals.
Traps:
For indoor infestations, humane traps can be used to catch and release lizards back into their natural habitat.
6 Simple Steps on How to Get Rid of Garden Lizards
Step 1: Identify the Type of Lizard in Your Garden
The first step in managing garden lizards is to identify the specific type of lizard you are dealing with. Different lizard species may have varying behaviors, diets, and preferred habitats, which can influence the methods used to control or deter them.
Observe physical characteristics such as size, color, and markings, as well as their activity patterns. Identifying the species will help you better understand their role in your garden ecosystem and determine whether they pose any threat or provide benefits, such as pest control.
Step 2: Research and Understand Lizard Behavior
Once you have identified the type of lizard, it is important to research their behavior and habits. This will help determine the most effective methods for controlling them in your garden. For example, some lizards may be more active during certain times of the day, while others may prefer specific hiding spots or food sources.
Additionally, understanding their natural behavior can also help you find ways to coexist with them rather than resorting to immediate control measures. For instance, if a particular species is known to eat insects and pests that can harm your plants, you may choose to leave them be and welcome them as beneficial garden inhabitants.
Step 3: Providing a Suitable Habitat
Creating a welcoming environment is crucial for encouraging lizards to thrive in your garden. Start by incorporating natural shelter options such as rocks, logs, or dense vegetation where they can hide and feel safe from predators. Lizards also need access to sunny spots for basking, as they rely on external heat to regulate their body temperature.
Planting native shrubs or ground cover can offer both shade and protection, while a small water source, like a shallow dish or pond, can help keep them hydrated. By providing these essential elements, you can create a habitat that supports the needs of lizards, allowing them to coexist harmoniously with the rest of your garden’s ecosystem.
Step 4: Attracting Lizards Through Food
In addition to creating a suitable habitat, you can also attract lizards to your garden by providing a variety of food sources. Lizards are opportunistic feeders and will eat insects, spiders, and even small vertebrates like snails or slugs. To encourage a diverse range of prey for lizards to consume, it’s important to avoid using pesticides or other chemicals in your garden.
You can also create a “lizard buffet” by strategically placing rocks or logs around your garden where insects tend to gather. These structures provide hiding places for both prey and predators, making them prime hunting grounds for lizards.
Step 5: Providing Water
Lizards, like all animals, need access to fresh water for drinking. In the wild, they may drink from puddles, streams or other natural water sources. As a lizard owner, it’s important to provide a shallow dish of clean water in your pet’s habitat at all times.
When choosing a water dish for your lizard, make sure it is easy for them to access and that they cannot accidentally drown in it. You can also mist their enclosure with lukewarm water once or twice a day to help keep humidity levels up and mimic their natural environment.
Step 6: Handling Lizards
While some lizards can be handled, it’s important to remember that they are not domesticated animals like cats or dogs. Handling a lizard can be stressful for them, so it’s important to do it correctly.
When handling your lizard, always approach them slowly and gently. Start by stroking their back and then gradually move towards supporting their entire body. Never grab or squeeze a lizard as this can cause them harm.
Following these steps on how to get rid of garden lizards, you may find that your lizard becomes more comfortable with being handled over time. However, always remember to handle them with care and respect their boundaries.
Do You Need to Use Professionals?
In some situations, dealing with garden lizards might require the help of professionals. If the lizard population in your garden is overwhelming or if you are unsure about handling them safely, enlisting the services of pest control experts or wildlife specialists can be a wise decision. Professionals have the knowledge and tools to remove lizards humanely and effectively.
They can also provide advice on how to prevent future infestations by identifying and addressing factors in your garden that attract lizards, such as excess insects or sheltering spots. Remember, opting for professional assistance ensures both your safety and the well-being of the lizards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Are Lizards Harmful to Humans?
A: Most lizards found in gardens are harmless to humans. However, some species may bite if provoked or feel threatened. It is important to exercise caution and avoid handling wild lizards. The saliva from some species of lizards may also cause mild irritation or allergic reactions in humans, so it is best to consult a doctor if you experience any symptoms after coming into contact with a lizard.
Q2: How Can I Tell if Lizards are Infesting my Garden?
A: Some signs that your garden may be infested by lizards include seeing multiple lizards at once, noticing an increase in insect activity, and finding small droppings around your garden. You may also hear rustling or chirping noises coming from areas where there could be hiding spots for lizards.
Q3: Will Getting Rid of Lizards Harm the Ecosystem?
A: Lizards play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations. Killing or removing lizards from your garden can disrupt this balance and potentially lead to an increase in harmful insects. Instead of getting rid of lizards, it is better to use non-lethal methods such as repellents or creating physical barriers to keep them out of certain areas of your garden.
Q4: How Can I Prevent Lizards From Entering my Home?
A: To prevent lizards from entering your home, make sure all cracks and openings are sealed. Keep doors and windows closed when possible, and consider using screens on windows or door sweeps to limit entry points for lizards. It may also be helpful to remove any potential food sources such as insects or small rodents from inside your home, as lizards are attracted to these prey. Additionally, you can use natural repellents such as peacock feathers or eggshells, which deter lizards due to their reflective surfaces.
Keeping a clean and clutter-free home can also help prevent lizards from finding hiding spots. If you do come across a lizard in your home, try gently guiding it towards an open door or window using a broom or other long object instead of using harmful methods like pesticides.
Conclusion
By taking proactive steps and adopting natural, humane methods, you can effectively manage lizards in your home without causing harm. Maintaining a clean and organized environment, sealing entry points, and using safe deterrents can go a long way in keeping lizards at bay.
Remember, lizards are a part of the ecosystem and often help control insect populations, so it’s best to handle them with care and respect. A balanced approach ensures a peaceful coexistence while keeping your living space comfortable and pest-free. Thanks for reading this article on how to get rid of garden lizards.
