9 Ways to Kill Lizards Fast, Straight from Pest Control Experts

While lizards aren’t harmful, they’re probably not the type of creature you want running around your house. Luckily, there are some simple DIY measures you can take to get rid of lizards using ingredients or tools you probably already have on hand.

Learn how to get rid of lizards inside and outside your home using these nine simple methods.

What attracts lizards to your home and garden?

Lizards are attracted to food, water, and shelter around your home. Small insects and plants provide nutrients for lizards, and any standing water around your home, such as ponds or leaky pipes, is a source of water for them.

Dense bushes or vegetation in your garden also attract lizards so they can hide and stay out of the heat of the sun.

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How to get rid of lizards

If you have a lot of these reptiles around your home, here are some steps you can take to get rid of lizards.

Pepper spray

Pepper is irritating to lizards, so spraying pepper spray inside or around your home is a great way to repel lizards.

Wilson says you can make your own pepper spray by mixing water and cayenne pepper or chili powder. Spray the mixture into empty corners near doorways and other hidden nooks and crannies so the spray doesn’t affect you or others in the house.

“The pungent smell will make lizards think twice before walking through a pepper-sprayed entrance,” Wilson said.

Onions and garlic

Place onions and garlic around your home to deter these pests from entering your home. Or, you can put onions or garlic in a bottle of water and spray the water into corners and around entry points.

The strong smell of onions and garlic is not attractive to lizards; they will stay away from areas with that smell.

Vinegar

Mix a solution of distilled white vinegar and water and spray the solution around the entrances to your home. The strong smell of vinegar is unattractive to lizards and will keep them away from your home.

Camphor tablets (naphthalene tablets)

Mothballs have a strong scent that repels many pests, including geckos. Place them in areas where you see geckos, such as under kitchen cabinets, in the bathroom, or in the basement, and the geckos will eventually find new homes away from the smell.

Peacock feathers

According to Wilson, peacock feathers and their scent will scare away lizards. Lizards associate peacock feathers with predators themselves, so their survival instinct will keep them away.

Place feathers in your home for decoration or even around your garden to repel lizards.

Eggshell

Eggshells are another way to keep lizards away due to their strong scent. Place eggshells around your garden to create a natural barrier to keep these reptiles away. Bonus: Eggshells are biodegradable and will add nutrients to your soil!

Reflective surface

Placing shiny and reflective surfaces like CDs or mirrors inside your home can be another natural way to deter lizards since they are scared of the movement reflected off the surface.

Plants

Some plants have odors that are unappealing to lizards, such as mint, eucalyptus, or lemongrass. Planting these plants in your garden is a low-maintenance way to keep lizards out of your yard.

Coffee grounds

“Coffee grounds are an effective home remedy for keeping lizards out of your home because their strong smell and abrasive texture are not good for lizards,” says Dench.

Sprinkle coffee grounds around your home’s foundation, in your garden, and near entryways to deter lizards from entering your living space.

Cats

Cats don’t just like to chase mice. They also like to chase and catch small reptiles like lizards. Any remaining lizards will run away in fear.

“Even if your cat isn’t a natural predator, many times lizards will panic enough to not set up camp in your home if they’re chased by a curious cat,” says Bennett.

How to Prevent Lizards from Entering Your Home

• Keep your home cool. Lizards prefer warm environments and do not like the cool air from a constantly running air conditioner.
• Use a fan or dehumidifier. Lizards also like humidity and will not be attracted to a home with dry air.
• Dispose of leftovers and food scraps in sealed containers or bins so that lizards cannot access the food.
• Eliminate other pests, such as flies and small insects, that may be food sources for lizards.
• Clear away clutter. Cluttered spaces provide plenty of hiding and hiding places for lizards to sneak in and out of your home.
• Seal entry points near ventilation systems, doors and windows.
• Check windows and doors for torn screens where lizards could get in.
• Eliminate water sources such as pet water bowls or dripping faucets and pipes.

When to call a professional

If you have tried various DIY methods to get rid of lizards around your home without success, it is time to call a professional. They will inspect your home and can find and seal entry points that you may have missed.

They can also use stronger commercial lizard repellants to keep these pests away from your home and outdoor spaces.