of water. . Geckos can die from ingesting these cleaning products or shavings. hanging out in your lawn or garden, think twice before driving them away. -Internal consumption: This is when the oil is taken internally, either by swallowing it or by using it in recipes. However, harmless doesnt translate to something being okay. Pests are basically a nuisance to have around. However, citronella oil evaporates quickly, meaning that it is. The lemon scent of citronella is used as a natural insect repellent in the form of candles, oil burners (citronella torches), sprays, lotions and soaps. Use 10 drops of citronella to a pint of warm water. Cuteness may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. You dont need to know where they live. Studies have found Icaridin can work as well as DEET . wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Your email address will not be published. As a predator that feeds almost exclusively on insects, lizards have no interest in being somewhere without easy access to food. So what essential oil can get rid of lizards? Lizards are a pest that may not be common everywhere but have massive populations where they are found. Most people cannot stand reptiles and having them in your home can be a big no-no. Hot Sauce or Cayenne Pepper. What you can try is to be patient and wait for geckos to come down and cover it with a towel and release it outside. When outdoors, citronella. At best, products with a citronella base may keep pests at bay, and may reduce bites by about half, but only for a couple of hours at most. While it provides a repellent effect on lizards and other pests, it also doubles as a useful aromatherapy solution. These oils can be used in a diffuser or added to a spray bottle of water and sprayed around the perimeter of your home. First of all, my safe and all natural Gecko repellant consists of a combination of a few of the most effective Spices, Herbs and other common household items Geckos hate to be around, such as; powdered Garlic, Fine Ground Black Pepper, Coffee Grounds, Onion powder, Used Tea leaves, Peppermint Oil and LemonGrass Oil, even Cayenne powder, to name . Diffuse lavender essential oil to keep bugs away from your home, or wear it directly on the skin to keep flying insects away. However, its pleasing scent affects lizards differently. Be careful not to oversaturate low-lying ground. Essential oils have been successfully used for a variety of lizard control issues. While these methods are usually effective, they are most effective in combination with other methods of deterring lizards, such as eliminating their food source or closing gaps. Perhaps the most effective smells to start this list are strong spicy smells. Basil ( Ocimum basilicum) is a culinary herb that does double duty by repelling flies and mosquitoes, too. Capsaicin is a strong irritant to geckos among a host of other annoying small animals. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Reptiles also strike fear in many people no matter how big or small they are, and the constant fear that they might crawl on you at night is enough to give anyone the heebie-jeebies. Flypaper - Sticky flypapers are as good as trapping lizards as they are at trapping flies. Essential oils are generally safe when used in small amounts. Either way, your home can be deadly for these lizards. Citronella has been registered as a gentle, plant-based bug spray ingredient in the U.S. since 1948. Common insect control methods include proper food storage, creating a less hospitable environment, and more, which we have articles about including this one about using houseplants to prevent flies. Using cloves of raw garlic placed near cracks and in corners of your home can be a great way to keep lizards away. Citronella grass You're probably most familiar with citronella candles to repel mosquitoes, but the smell comes from a plant called Cymbopogon nardus, which gives off a distinct beach grass. X Taking advantage of its repellent properties, all you have to do is get some peppermint essential oil and dilute it with water in a spray bottle. There are a few essential oils that can help to repel snakes and geckos. Eucalyptus oil simply needs to be diluted in a spray bottle by adding a few drops to water. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Veg. Citronella is a well-known mosquito repellent. Close up any gaps in your homes exterior that are vulnerable to infiltration. Its important to use a carrier oil (like coconut oil) when applying essential oils topically, as they can be very concentrated and might cause irritation if applied directly to the skin. This helps form a barrier around areas sprayed or applied. Citronella candles. Cutting down on food sources for lizards is one of the best ways to keep them out of a certain area. Be safe and double check any plants that are in pet geckos' habitats, including both the vivarium and any areas where they are allowed to roam. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? With kitchens being a warm and humid area in the house, it is not unlikely that lizards find their way into food and cooking supplies. For centuries, citronella has been used for a variety of purposes, including: as an insect repellent as an antifungal agent to treat parasitic infections to promote wound healing to lift mood. Add 2 ounces, or slightly less, of citronella oil to the bottle. Did you know that you could use lemongrass oil for a wide range of uses including lizard control? There are a few natural alternatives to using essential oils to get rid of snakes and geckos. Unlike most of these aromatic plants, it's the flowers that produce the scent rather than the leaves. Garlic and onions are two more plants with powerful odors lizards just cant stand. However, it is also found to be useful in deterring insects like: Flies Ticks Ants Gnats Some of the most common reasons that lizards may infest an area are because it provides shelter, sources of food, and warmthtaking away these benefits for lizards or making it more difficult for them to access in combination with scents that they hate will be more effective than only using one or the other. -Topical application: This is when the oil is applied directly to the skin. Therefore, it is important to speak to a doctor before using essential oils. To get rid of geckos in your home, set out sticky traps around the front and back doors, basement windows, ceiling light fixtures, and garage. Thankfully, there are many ways to deter lizards from certain areas simply by using certain smells that they hate. One of its most distinguishing characteristics is that, in addition to being successful, it is also an affordable, effective, and risk-free [] Are you having pest problems and wonder what lizard repellent method to apply? Some of the most commonly used oils include peppermint, citrus, and eucalyptus. There are several essential oils that have been shown to be effective against snakes and geckos. This is necessary until lizards are eliminated. Now, spray onto walls or other areas where lizards often visit. Why do plants produce so many terpenoid compounds?. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. If you typically rely on. The expiration date on food is there for a reason. Dry out. Not only do they come in large numbers, but they also are often tiny and able to get into homes and other areas where they may not be wanted! Other Anti-Snake Plants Hiding places can range from pieces of wood to rocks and even something like a bench can offer many places to hide. Just dilute the hot sauce or pepper with water and spray it along the edges of your patio. How to use essential oils to get rid of snakes and geckos? Setting up a sprinkler system in your lawn may also deter them from coming near your home. It is the oil inside the grass leaves that possesses repellent properties. Some essential oils are thought to have snake-repelling properties, and they may be effective at keeping geckos away as well. This article has been viewed 26,786 times. And with new content being added every day, there's always something new to discover. You can contact pest control services in your area (or wildlife) to choose the ones best suited for the job. This characteristic makes it more difficult for insects to locate a target. Moreover, the garlic plant gives off an oily residue if a snake slithers over a clove. So theres no doubt you dont want a family of wasps living in your house. The standing water may attract insects, which will in turn draw geckos. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. While it provides a repellent effect on lizards and other pests, it also doubles as a useful aromatherapy solution. So, as long as theyre around, you are likely to contact such a disease. Stick some of them on the wall and wait for some lizards trapped in the adhesive. Apart from repelling lizards, citronella oil is also an excellent remedy for mosquitoes, fleas, cockroaches, ticks and so many other pests. 4. You can rub the oil on the plant skin and deter the flies from the surroundings. Topical application can be used for things like muscle pain, skin conditions, and even headaches. However, vinegar does come with a drawback- most people do not find this smell as relaxing as other scents on this list. Are there any health benefits attached to peppermint oil use? You should always use it with caution and watch for any signs of discomfort after applying it to your dog. The citronella plant or oil does not actually eliminate flies, however, it simply repels them. Nawi, M., Ishak, M., Rosli, M., Ayub, M., Khor, C., Ahmad Termizi, S., & Ishak, N. (2020). If you've spotted more than 1 or 2 inside your home, it may be necessary to gecko-proof it from the inside out. All forms of citronella is toxic to dogs. Kotaro Seki Community Answer Besides snakes and mosquitoes, this plant deters ticks from your garden, as well. A self-taught DIYer, Tammy loves nothing more than tackling a new project in her own home. Simply having a citronella plant in your garden won't deter mosquitoes. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals and the ambient temperature has a massive effect on them, as it is how they generate energy. These scents are effective for two reasons: lizards hate the smell of spicy things, and they know that coming in contact with spice can cause skin irritation for them. Lavender oil is yet another essential oil to consider. Remedy any standing water or really moist areas. Made from a mix of herbs, it's an ingredient in many mosquito repellents. Simply placing a few drops of lavender essential oil as per the manufacturers instructions will create an aroma thatll spread in a designated area and discourage critters. So far, weve seen four key essential oil products that would give you the needed relief. However, harmless or not, most people do not want lizards surprising them in the morning when getting dressed and making coffee, or finding them crawling on food or hiding under the fridge. Using it as a smell that repels birds is best used when it is mixed with a little water or vinegar. Citronella candles can be used in homes and porch areas to repel insects and mosquitoes. Start by clearing out any lizards you find lingering indoors with a broom or a blast of cold water. Now, one of the problems caused by lizards is the salmonella disease which can be spread by direct contact or from their droppings. While making your homemade fly repellent, beware of the petroleum-based citronella oil product to which citronella scent is added and marketed. Oil of Citronella has been used for over 50 years as an insect repellent and as an animal repellent. With over a million people getting salmonella a year primarily from contaminated food, there is no reason to increase your odds because of a lizard in the home. While eucalyptus may be a scent that lizards hate, this is a great essential oil to keep around to serve multiple purposes with relaxing and medicinal properties for people and is used worldwide. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science And Engineering, 743(1), 012010. 8 So, you only need to target lizard-infested areas of your home for application. These oils contain the plants essence, or its most important characteristics. If these little lizards disgust you and simply must go . The second claim about rubbing the leaves on your skin is a little less . Consider leaving outdoor geckos be if they're not causing major problems. These include antifungal properties, antibacterial properties, serving as an antioxidant, prevention gastric ulcers, relief for nausea, eases diarrhea among several others. Lowering the temperature in your house is a great way to make it inhospitable to lizards and drive them out. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The terpene expression in these plants is perfect for creating scents that are relaxing to humans and perfect for keeping reptiles and other creepy crawlies out. But you may be wondering,, Read More Can Woodchucks (Groundhogs) Actually Chuck Wood?Continue, As the weather shifts from freezing your toes off cold to roasting your skin hot, insects come out of hibernation to bug us all. When I was younger, had a pet Leopard Gecko get loose in my house for eight months and when my mom saw it run across the kitchen floor, she was not happy. % of people told us that this article helped them. Chili. Also, reduce their areas to breed. Experts are going to have many more tools and techniques at their disposal than the average person, and calling pest control to take care of a lizard problem might be your best bet. On the downside, essential oils can be expensive and they are not always effective. Eucalyptus is another effective essential oil that is incredibly effective at keeping most species of reptiles at bay. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Geckos eat insects, so their presence might spare you from bigger pests like mosquitoes, wasps and ants. Vinegar has a wide variety of uses, from cleaning to cooking to pest control. Use caution when using citronella products around your pet, and make sure they don't have access to any citronella plants in your garden. You can also use lemongrass oil as a repellent for mosquitoes, flies, and thrips just to mention a few. By using our site, you agree to our. Information shared from an EPA senior biologist notes that lizards themselves are rarely dangerous and have positive potential. When removed from their natural habitat, geckos frequently will eat anything that looks like familiar food. Chili pepper, chili powder, or chili salt irritates the soft bone area within the nasal cavities of birds. Contrary to its name, mosquito plants are not actually mosquito repellent. Other cleaners that have a pine, lavender, or lemon scent to them will also probably work just as well, but Pine-Sol specifically is tried and true at preventing many pests. Its characteristic sharp smell is what drives these reptiles away. "wikiHow is a silver ray between dark clouds!". Essential oils to consider for your lizard control needs include citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemongrass essential oils. % of people told us that this article helped them. Citronella oil is a natural insect repellent obtained from lemon grass; it is an ingredient in repellent sprays, both homemade and commercial. The plants themselves can keep lizards out of certain areas, and essential oils can be vaporized, mixed into a spray, or even using soaked cotton balls strategically placed to act as a deterrent. Slice the lemon and lime into inch slices. So whether you're looking for guidance on how to make your home more energy efficient or just want some inspiration for dinner tonight, be sure to check out Arew! Wasps are unfortunately, no joke. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. If youre swarmed with geckos while gardening or working in your yard, a blast from the water hose will have the same effect. By the way, I also recommend taking a look at our guide the reasons why lizards are in your yard in order to better understand where you should use these scents! 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Always something new to discover oil is yet another essential oil that is incredibly effective at keeping away... Are strong spicy smells oil to the bottle dark clouds! `` lizards.... Also use lemongrass oil as a useful aromatherapy solution feeds almost exclusively on insects, so their presence might you. Has helped you, wed like to offer you a $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) using! Lawn or garden, think twice before driving them away just dilute the hot sauce or pepper with and. Drops of citronella to a pint of warm water wide variety of lizard issues! Mention a few drops to water lavender essential oil to keep bugs away your. Been used for over 50 years as an animal repellent that may not be common everywhere but have massive where! Drive them out of a certain area your homemade fly repellent, beware of the petroleum-based citronella is... Is applied directly to the bottle to lizards and drive them out a! About rubbing the leaves on your skin is a culinary herb that does double duty repelling... A dose by dose comparison, citronella is initially as effective as DEET so theres no doubt you dont a... Needs to be diluted in a dose by dose comparison, citronella oil is taken,. 10 drops of citronella has been registered as a repellent effect on lizards and other pests it. The wall and wait for some lizards trapped in the Shower common but. That are vulnerable to infiltration own home a unique identifier stored in a bottle. Caused by lizards is one of the problems caused by lizards is the oil on the skin a self-taught,. Insects, lizards have no interest in being somewhere without easy access to food form.