To get rid of lizards at home, seal small gaps, cut food sources, and use safe scent-based deterrents backed by tidy, low-clutter habits.
House lizards show up where food, water, and cover are easy. The win comes from three steady moves: block entry points, reduce insects, and nudge lizards to leave with mild deterrents. This guide gives you clear steps that work in apartments, condos, and single-family homes without harsh tactics.
How To Get Rid Of Lizards At Home: Fast Start Checklist
Start with quick fixes that make your place less friendly to geckos and small skinks. Work top-to-bottom in one sweep so nothing gets missed.
| Entry Point | What To Check | Simple Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Door Bottoms | Daylight under doors; loose thresholds | Add a door sweep; tighten screws; replace torn weatherstrip |
| Window Frames | Gaps at corners; worn latches | Apply caulk to 1/4-inch gaps; adjust or replace latches |
| AC Lines & Pipes | Unsealed wall penetrations | Fill with exterior-grade sealant or foam; add escutcheon plates |
| Vents & Grilles | Loose screens; missing mesh | Install 1/8-inch hardware cloth behind covers |
| Garage Gaps | Cracks along slab edge; roll-up door gaps | Seal cracks with concrete sealant; add side/threshold seals |
| Utility Closets | Openings around conduits; floor gaps | Backer rod + silicone; cover floor gaps with kick plates |
| Rooflines & Eaves | Loose soffit panels; torn screens | Reattach soffits; replace screens; trim branches away |
| Basement Windows | Cracked panes; mortar gaps | Glaze or replace panes; repoint mortar; add tight screens |
Getting Rid Of Lizards At Home: Practical Methods
Pick a few tactics, stack them, and keep them running for two to three weeks. Lizards learn fast. When your home stops offering food and easy hideouts, they move on.
Seal First, Then Deter
Sealing is the single best step. Lizards can squeeze through small gaps, so aim for a tight envelope. Guidance from UC IPM lizard guidance points to closing openings 1/4-inch and larger, plus snug door sweeps and screens. Do a loop around the home with a flashlight at dusk; if you see light shining through a crack, seal it.
Cut The Food Supply (Insects)
Fewer insects equals fewer lizards. Set sticky insect monitors inside pantry kick plates and bathroom corners to spot hot zones. Wipe crumbs, fix drips, and store fruit in covered bins. Treat ant trails and roach harborages with baits placed in out-of-reach cracks, not open floors. Keep patio lights warm-color or motion-based so they attract fewer night-flying bugs. Outside, rake leaf piles, trim groundcover away from foundations, and empty saucers under pots so gnats don’t breed.
Use Gentle, Scent-Based Nudges
Strong kitchen scents can make a space less comfy for lizards. Try one at a time so you know what works in your home:
- Garlic or Onion Spray: Blend cloves or slices with water, strain, and mist baseboards and window tracks. Reapply every two to three days.
- Vinegar Mist: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Spray around doorways and porch rails. Spot test finishes first.
- Cayenne Water: A teaspoon in a liter of water creates a light boundary. Keep away from eyes, pets, and kids.
- Coffee Grounds: Dry grounds along exterior sills and near garbage areas can help; sweep and refresh weekly.
- Bay Leaves Or Peppermint: Place sachets in cupboards where air moves. Replace when scent fades.
Light And Noise Tweaks
Night insects cluster near bright, cool-white bulbs, and lizards follow. Switch porch bulbs to warm LEDs and add motion sensors so lights don’t run all night. Inside, keep under-cabinet lights off when not needed. Short bursts of activity—doors opening, drawers closing—already cue lizards to slip away, so there’s no need for ultrasonic gadgets.
Declutter The “Highways”
Lizards cruise along edges. Clear stacked boxes from baseboards, lift floor-length drapes, and move appliances a finger-width from walls for easy sweeping. Add door sweeps to bedrooms so a stray gecko can’t wander in while you sleep.
How Lizards Behave Indoors (And How You Can Use That)
Most small house geckos hide by day and hunt at night. They like warm, tight gaps near light sources where moths and gnats hang out. Give them fewer safe ledges and they leave. A tidy kitchen at night, dry bath mats, and closed trash lids remove easy wins for them.
Humane Catch-And-Release
If one is already inside, set a clear container over it and slide stiff paper under the rim. Take it outdoors and release near shrubs or a stone edging, never on an open driveway. That keeps stress low and gives the animal cover.
Skip Glue Boards And Harsh Chemicals
Glue devices can trap non-target wildlife and pets, and some regions restrict their use. Many readers do fine without them by sealing, cleaning, and using mild deterrents. Stick with those kinder steps and you’ll see fewer visits. If you keep a pet reptile, follow CDC advice on reptiles for handwashing and tank care to keep surfaces clean where food is prepared.
How To Keep The Wins Going
The goal is a home that never feels like a snack bar. Build a short weekly rhythm, and lizards stop treating your place like a stopover.
Weekly Ten-Minute Routine
- Vacuum crumbs along baseboards and under the stove and fridge.
- Wipe window tracks and door thresholds where insects collect.
- Dump standing water from planters and trays.
- Refresh any scent lines or sachets you’re using.
- Do a fast entry-point check after storms or strong winds.
Outdoor Tweaks That Pay Off
Trim shrubs back from walls by a hand’s width. Lift firewood on a rack off the ground and away from the house. Bag leaf litter weekly during rainy months. Keep compost lids closed and place bins on pavers. These light habits cut insects first, which cuts lizards next.
What Works, What Doesn’t, And When To Call A Pro
Plenty of tips float around. Some shine, some are myths. Use the quick matrix below to pick smart moves for your place and skip the rest.
| Method | How It Works | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Seal 1/4-Inch Gaps | Removes entry points | Whole home; first step inside and out |
| Door Sweeps & Screens | Blocks common routes | Doors with daylight; windows near lights |
| Cut Insects (Baits, Sanitation) | Removes food source | Kitchens, baths, patios, trash areas |
| Scent Lines (Vinegar, Garlic, Coffee) | Makes edges less inviting | Baseboards, window tracks, porch rails |
| Warm LEDs + Motion | Attracts fewer night insects | Porches, carports, patios |
| Declutter Along Walls | Removes hiding ledges | Garages, pantries, laundry rooms |
| Catch-And-Release | Removes a stray guest | Single lizard indoors |
| Ultrasonic Gadgets | Little to no proven effect | Skip; invest in sealing and cleaning |
| Glue Boards | Harms non-targets; legal limits in some places | Skip; rely on sealing and gentle deterrents |
Room-By-Room Moves That Make A Difference
Kitchen
Run the range hood when cooking, then wipe splash zones so fruit flies don’t linger. Store produce in bins with vents. Keep pet bowls on a silicone mat and clean nightly. Seal toe-kick gaps under cabinets where insects travel, and place a couple of sticky insect monitors inside base cabinets to gauge progress.
Bathroom
Vent moisture with the fan during and after showers. Swap damp rugs for quick-dry mats. Caulk baseboards where they meet tile since hairline gaps collect moisture and tiny prey. Spray a light vinegar line along the tub panel if this room is a common sighting zone.
Bedrooms & Living Areas
Lift bed skirts off the floor and keep nightstands neat. Close closets fully. Add a sweep to the hallway door if you like sleeping with the window cracked. If a lizard wanders in, guide it toward a wall with a sheet of cardboard and do a calm cup-and-paper capture.
Garage & Laundry
These spaces act like gateways. Fit a bottom seal on the garage door and replace side brush seals that shed bristles. Keep laundry lint traps clean and dry the floor after spills so gnats don’t breed.
Safety, Pets, And Hygiene
Small house lizards don’t bite people and they help by eating gnats and roaches outdoors. Indoors, treat them as you would other wildlife—guide them out without handling. If you keep reptiles as pets, wash hands after tank work and feeding. The CDC page on reptiles and amphibians lists simple steps like handwashing and keeping food prep areas separate. That same routine keeps your kitchen extra clean, which also lowers insect counts.
When A Professional Makes Sense
Call a licensed company when you face repeat indoor sightings even after you’ve sealed and cleaned, or when you spot roof gaps you can’t reach safely. Ask for an exterior audit first: door sweeps, screen repairs, and sealing. Skip any plan that leans on glue boards or mystery sprays. A good visit leaves you with a punched list of fixes and a light insect program, not heavy chemicals.
Putting It All Together
Here’s a tight, two-week plan you can run in any season:
Day 1–2: Seal & Set
- Install door sweeps and patch window screens.
- Seal 1/4-inch gaps around pipes and AC lines.
- Switch porch bulbs to warm LEDs with motion.
- Place two to four insect monitors in kitchens and baths.
Day 3–7: Starve The Food Chain
- Deep-clean floors and baseboards; empty small appliances and wipe crumbs.
- Store fruit and bread in covered bins; take trash out nightly.
- Spot-treat ants and roaches with baits where you’ve seen activity.
- Run a vinegar or garlic spray line along sills and tracks.
Day 8–14: Hold The Line
- Refresh scent lines every two to three days.
- Keep patio light off unless needed.
- Rake leaf pockets by the foundation and lift mulch away from the wall by a palm’s width.
- Track insect counts on monitors; swap full cards.
Most homes see fewer lizards by the end of week two. Keep the weekly ten-minute routine in place and you lock in the gains.
Why This Works
How to get rid of lizards at home comes down to a simple chain: no gaps, less prey, fewer visits. You’re not trying to fight every lizard in the yard. You’re making the house a dead end. The same moves harden your place against ants and roaches, and that saves you time and money over the long run.
FAQ-Free Tips To Remember
- Seal before you spray. Barriers beat short-term scents.
- Food and water draw insects; insects draw lizards.
- Glue boards bring risk; skip them and stay humane.
- Handwashing after reptile tank work keeps kitchens cleaner and safer.
The Exact Phrase, Used Right
Use how to get rid of lizards at home as your search once, then follow the steps above. You don’t need gadgets or harsh chemicals. A snug home, clean edges, light-touch scents, and steady habits do the job.