How to Get Rid of Geckos?

Geckos are small, nocturnal lizards that are commonly found in Australian homes. While they can be beneficial in controlling insects, their presence is often unwelcome, particularly when they invade living spaces or leave droppings behind. Geckos are fast, agile, and can reproduce quickly, which makes dealing with an infestation even more difficult. This comprehensive guide explores various ways to get rid of geckos, using both natural and professional methods, ensuring that your home remains pest-free.

Why Geckos Invade Your Home

Understanding why geckos enter your home is the first step in preventing an infestation. Geckos are attracted to homes for several reasons:

• Food Availability: Geckos thrive in environments where insects such as mosquitoes, flies, ants, and cockroaches are abundant. Homes with poor insect control provide a perfect food source for geckos.
  
• Shelter and Warmth: Geckos are cold-blooded and need warm places to survive, especially during cooler months. Homes provide both shelter and warmth, making them ideal havens for geckos.
  
• Easy Access: Geckos are highly adaptable and can squeeze through incredibly small gaps or cracks. Even the smallest opening around windows, doors, or vents can provide access to your home.

Step 1: Seal Off Entry Points

The first step in controlling geckos is to prevent them from entering your home. Follow these measures to seal off potential entry points:

• Inspect Windows and Doors: Check the seals around windows and doors, especially at night when geckos are most active. Even small gaps can provide an entry point. Apply weather stripping around doors and replace any worn-out seals.
  
• Examine Vents and Ducts: Geckos can squeeze through poorly sealed vents. Use mesh or fine wire screens to cover vents and ducts, ensuring they are sealed tight.
  
• Check the Foundation: Inspect the foundation of your home for cracks or holes. Pay particular attention to areas where pipes or cables enter the house. Use caulk or concrete filler to seal any gaps.
  
• Close Gaps in Walls and Roof: Geckos can climb walls and even enter through gaps in the roof, particularly if you have older roofing materials. Ensure there are no gaps around the roof eaves or gutters.

Step 2: Eliminate Food Sources

Since geckos primarily feed on insects, reducing the insect population in your home will help deter them from sticking around. Here are some ways to eliminate food sources:

• Use Insecticides: Use safe, non-toxic insecticides to target pests like ants, flies, and cockroaches. However, make sure to use them sparingly and avoid over-spraying, as this can lead to a build-up of dead insects, which might attract geckos back.
  
• Install Mosquito Screens: Installing mosquito screens on windows and doors will allow fresh air to flow through your home while keeping flying insects out. This can significantly reduce the number of insects available for geckos to eat.
  
• Limit Outdoor Lighting: Outdoor lights attract insects, and by extension, geckos. Consider turning off lights when not in use, or use yellow-tinted lights, which are less likely to attract insects. You can also place lights away from the home to draw insects away from entry points.

Step 3: Natural Repellents for Geckos

If you prefer a more natural approach to controlling geckos, several non-toxic solutions can be effective:

• Garlic and Onion: The strong smell of garlic and onions can deter geckos from entering your home. To use, blend garlic and onions with water, and spray the mixture around doorways, windows, and other common entry points.
  
• Peppermint Oil: Geckos dislike the smell of peppermint. Mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas where geckos are entering or frequently spotted. Alternatively, you can place peppermint-soaked cotton balls in areas where you’ve seen geckos.
  
• Citrus Peels: Geckos are repelled by the smell of citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits. Place citrus peels around the baseboards, windowsills, or entry points of your home to deter geckos from entering.
  
• Caffeine: A lesser-known repellent, caffeine is said to keep geckos away. Sprinkle used coffee grounds in areas where geckos have been seen, or place small containers of dry coffee grounds around your home.
  
• Lavender and Eucalyptus: Geckos have an aversion to the scent of lavender and eucalyptus. Placing dried lavender or eucalyptus branches around your home can keep them away naturally.

Step 4: Use Traps and Deterrents

If you already have geckos in your home, there are several methods to capture and remove them:

• Live Traps: Humane traps are a great option if you don’t want to harm the geckos. These traps use bait, such as insects or fruit, to lure the geckos inside. Once trapped, release them at least a few kilometres away from your home.
  
• Sticky Traps: These traps are often used for insects but can also work for geckos. Place them in areas where geckos are commonly seen. While this method is quick, it’s not ideal for long-term management, and you should check traps regularly to avoid harming the geckos.
  
• Ultrasonic Deterrents: Ultrasonic gecko repellents emit high-pitched sounds that are uncomfortable for geckos but inaudible to humans. These devices can be placed in areas where geckos frequent, and they work by irritating the gecko’s sensitive hearing, driving them away.

Step 5: Create a Gecko-Unfriendly Environment

Making your home less attractive to geckos is one of the most effective long-term solutions. Here’s how:

• Declutter: Geckos like to hide in cluttered areas. Keep your home tidy, especially in areas like attics, basements, and closets. Geckos prefer dark, sheltered spaces, so reducing clutter can discourage them from making their way inside.
  
• Turn Off Lights at Night: Geckos are nocturnal, and they use light to track insects. By turning off outdoor lights at night, you reduce the number of insects and, in turn, the likelihood of attracting geckos.
  
• Control the Temperature: Geckos prefer warm environments. If possible, cool your home at night to make it less inviting for geckos. Use fans or air conditioning to regulate temperature.
  
• Maintain Your Garden: Geckos are attracted to gardens that provide plenty of shelter. Trim back bushes, shrubs, and vines that are close to your house. This will limit the number of hiding places near your home.

Step 6: Professional Pest Control Solutions

If your efforts have been unsuccessful or the infestation is severe, it may be time to consult a professional pest control service. Experts can provide a more targeted approach and are equipped to handle more serious infestations.

• Inspection and Assessment: A professional pest control service will first inspect your home to identify potential entry points and gecko hotspots. They can then recommend the best course of action based on the severity of the problem.
  
• Targeted Treatments: Pest control specialists use specific products and techniques to deal with geckos. These may include baits, traps, or repellents designed specifically for lizards.
  
• Ongoing Maintenance: If geckos are a recurring problem, pest control companies can offer ongoing monitoring and treatments to prevent future infestations.

Step 7: Prevent Future Gecko Infestations

To prevent a future gecko invasion, it’s essential to take proactive steps:

• Routine Inspections: Regularly check your home for potential entry points, cracks, or gaps. Seal them immediately to prevent geckos from entering.
  
• Insect Control: Continue with regular pest control efforts to reduce the availability of food sources for geckos.
  
• Regular Cleaning: Continue to clean and declutter your home, as geckos will often return to places they previously found shelter.

Conclusion

Getting rid of geckos requires persistence and a multi-faceted approach. By sealing entry points, removing food sources, using natural repellents, and setting traps, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of a gecko infestation in your home. If the problem persists, a professional pest control service can provide more advanced solutions. By following these steps and keeping your home gecko-free, you can create a comfortable living space for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are geckos harmful to humans?
Geckos are generally harmless to humans, but their droppings can cause hygiene concerns and may carry bacteria. If left unchecked, droppings can also stain surfaces and create unpleasant odours.

Can I get rid of geckos without harming them?
Yes, using live traps, natural repellents like peppermint oil, or sealing entry points can help remove them humanely. You can also release them far from your home to prevent their return.

Are geckos dangerous to pets?
Geckos are usually harmless to pets, though they may bite in self-defence if threatened. However, the risk of serious harm to pets from geckos is minimal.

Can geckos live inside walls or ceilings?
Yes, geckos can hide inside walls and ceilings if there are cracks or gaps in your home. They seek shelter in dark, secluded places, making it easier for them to remain undetected.

Do geckos make noise?
Yes, geckos can make clicking or chirping sounds, especially at night, primarily for communication or mating. The sounds can be unsettling, particularly if you hear them from hidden spaces.

How can I catch a gecko in my garden?
Use humane live traps baited with insects or fruit to capture geckos in your garden, then release them elsewhere. Keeping the garden tidy and reducing hiding spots will also discourage them from returning.