Lowering the temperature in your house is a great way to make it inhospitable to lizards and drive them out. 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. And if the coffee ground is burnt, it will work much better. If it is difficult, it is also important to get used to it! So what essential oil can get rid of lizards? We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. A solution is made by adding a few drops of lemongrass essential oil to water. The Verdict. This pest control method is most effective during the winter or the beginning of spring before wasps become active. The Citronella solution should be 20 drops citronella oil diluted into 200ml of water or about one fourth citronella oil to water. Can I put citronella oil in water when I wash the floor? With thousands of articles covering everything from do-it-yourself repairs to tips on parenting, Arew has something for everyone. What more? It's not just a random date that the food company picked out of thin air. 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. This is also a great method, as vinegar is likely something that you already have in your kitchen, and can quickly be deployed in a pinch. It is used in recreational areas, outdoor household areas, and . How to Make the Citronella Solution. As a predator that feeds almost exclusively on insects, lizards have no interest in being somewhere without easy access to food. But while the oil of citronella does repel mosquitoes to some degree, "in the amount and concentration that is put out via candles, it's not very effective," says Joseph Conlon, a technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association. X However, there are some anecdotal reports of people using essential oils to repell snakes and geckos successfully. 39 gangsta_seal 3 yr. ago Lavender too. Walk on eggshells. We do not condone any individuals putting themselves or their homes at risk by taking any extreme measures towards keeping lizards away. Place a few drops of the oil into the bottle and add water. This is the most common way to use essential oils and it can be used to help with a wide variety of issues, including stress, anxiety, headaches, and even pain relief. Get a cat. Citronella does a good job of repelling ticks, gnats, ants, wasps, bees, roaches, fleas, moths, flies, and other biting insects on dogs and humans. Now, one of the problems caused by lizards is the salmonella disease which can be spread by direct contact or from their droppings. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. While this product is designed and marketed toward insect control, it will also work well for any reptiles. Last Updated: February 17, 2023 These could be destructive or simply annoying. Some plants that are used for their scents in essential oils and other solutions also are great to plant in and around the house to further repel lizards. Other Anti-Snake Plants Its characteristic sharp smell is what drives these reptiles away. The first option is to mix the oils in a little bit of salt first, and then dissolve the salt in 2oz. Lemon Eucalyptus. One area lizards may cause issues is getting into anything electrical and causing short circuits. These include antifungal properties, antibacterial properties, serving as an antioxidant, prevention gastric ulcers, relief for nausea, eases diarrhea among several others. Just hearing the word can elicit a range of, Read More 9 Insects That Eat Roaches (Common Predators)Continue, Woodchucks, surprisingly, are the largest animal within the squirrel family and can be found throughout different areas of North America. Just a few drops can provide a heavy scent to your skin, sending the bees moving away. It does not work in this way. Last Updated: December 8, 2020 Insects, rodents, and reptiles, including lizards. 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. So, how do you go about using it? Tend to the landscape. Citronella Essential Oil Apart from repelling lizards, citronella oil is also an excellent remedy for mosquitoes, fleas, cockroaches, ticks and so many other pests. Trap them and release them outside, as far from the home as possible; While the scents listed above work great for repelling lizards, they are not always 100% effective and a plan of attack from multiple angles may be necessary to keep the lizards away. Citronella is toxic to pets. On the downside, essential oils can be expensive and they are not always effective. Some of the most commonly used oils include peppermint, citrus, and eucalyptus. This can include black pepper, chili powder, cayenne, and even plain ol hot sauce. Fill the air around them with some hot pepper spray. By using our site, you agree to our. In fact, citronella can be toxic to pets. Brooms are useful for shooing geckos out of cracks, crevices, and other tight spots where they tend to hide. Capsaicin is a strong irritant to geckos among a host of other annoying small animals. Also, be sure to check all vegetation to make sure it is safe before feeding it to geckos. But you don't have to distill it to reap the bug repellent benefits. Fitzwater, W. (1974). 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. o Use Sites: Oil of Citronella is used on humans to repel insects. Besides snakes and mosquitoes, this plant deters ticks from your garden, as well. Yes, it does, and dealing with rubbing oil on your skin can be much easier than crushing leaves and hoping that that works for you. Some essential oils can be used to repel snakes and geckos, while others can help relieve stress and anxiety, or improve sleep quality. Youll only need to spray a few drops of this oil along lizard-infested areas. Now, theres a long line of essential oils that can be used for pest control. They grow up to 3 feet tall and bloom from summer through frost, and help repel mosquitoes as well as: Aphids. The rather pleasant scent to humans just scares the crap out of your canine friend, and it is hard to understand why. negative potential of diseases they carry outweighs the positive, Mighty Mints Peppermint Oil Insect & Pest Control Spray, this one about using houseplants to prevent flies. To have a better idea of what they are, youll need to check up the definition of what pests are. 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. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? If you have lots of places for lizards to hide in your yard, including rocks and other decorations, some landscaping may be in order. I grew up in an area of Upstate, NY where dealing with wildlife pests is a common occurrence. "The smell of citronella, in a more concentrated way like you get with a candle's . 4. And with new content being added every day, there's always something new to discover. Then, take steps to prevent them from coming back. Citronella candles can be used in homes and porch areas to repel insects and mosquitoes. If you typically rely on. While it provides a repellent effect on lizards and other pests, it also doubles as a useful aromatherapy solution. Many scents can deter lizards, including: While these lizard repelling scents are great and effective, they should be combined with more prevention methods to give you your best shot at a lizard-free home. While it provides a repellent effect on lizards and other pests, it also doubles as a useful aromatherapy solution. Lizard repellent essential oils have been the focus here. The dog may not be a fan of this delicious smell; this is the reason it's used as dog repellent, so if you start thinking citronella is safe for dogs, then the answer is yes. Citronella is a well-known mosquito repellent. Cuteness may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Research source. Not as well as we'd like. Using it as a smell that repels birds is best used when it is mixed with a little water or vinegar. of water. Now, lizards are known to frequent walls and other surfaces. While eggshells are not the most effective way of drawing in natural lizard predators, the idea is solid to keep lizards away. If you have small children or pets, be careful not to let them get near the traps you've set. Management Of Biological Invasions, 11(3), 461-475. For this repellent effect to linger, youll need to reapply peppermint essential oil for about a week or more. What are the benefits of using essential oils? % of people told us that this article helped them. 4. If you have geckos ( Hemidactylus spp.) For tips on using diluted pepper spray, read on! There are a few essential oils that can help to repel snakes and geckos. One of the best ways to use lavender as a lizard repellent is through an essential oil diffuser. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 41,432 times. link to How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Pine-Sol offers a long-lasting scent and deep cleaning properties thatll leave your home just feeling cleaner. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. -Internal consumption: This is when the oil is taken internally, either by swallowing it or by using it in recipes. This should be enough to drive out the reptiles. Generally, the negative potential of diseases they carry outweighs the positive. People who live in tropical areas, such as Hawaii, Asia and Australia, live with geckos in the house pretty much as a fact of life. They are used in a variety of ways, including for fragrance, cosmetics, and as natural remedies. Scatter them away with a broom, a rolled paper, and an aggressive demeanor; 3. Thankfully, there are many ways to deter lizards from certain areas simply by using certain smells that they hate. Using coffee grounds as bug repellents is a very unknown hack, but it works like a charm every time. "wikiHow is a silver ray between dark clouds!". Continue with Recommended Cookies. However, citronella oil evaporates quickly, meaning that it is. Therefore, it is important to speak to a doctor before using essential oils. Citronella, an essential oil extracted from grasses in the Cymbopogon family, helps repel bugs largely thanks to the way it masks the scent of people. Plus, you get to enjoy its many health benefits. Lizards and other reptiles are very effective at pest control, including insects and small animals that may be a problem, but they may become a pest when they infest homes and properties. Otherwise, theyll soon begin to smell and may become a health hazard. Using peppermint essential oils mixed in a spray bottle with water, you can spray around entrances and anywhere lizards might hang out to keep them away. Benefits of using citronella essential oils include serving as an air freshener, being an antidepressant, stabilizing your nervous system, helps with the elimination of anxiety, and enhance sleep and relaxation. Are you having pest problems and wonder what lizard repellent method to apply? Most people cannot stand reptiles and having them in your home can be a big no-no. 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.. 8 Another is to use a mixture of garlic and water. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Cleaning with bleach and other strong chemicals, including Lysol, Pine-Sol and Spic-n-Span, can be hazardous to these cute little lizards. They eat fresh fruit mainly, but also like to eat bugs, such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, moths, crickets and worms. Did you know that you could use lemongrass oil for a wide range of uses including lizard control? Also, reduce their areas to breed. Lemongrass is a spa essential, can be made into a soothing drink, and most importantly, is a natural insect repellent. Society garlic is an ideal example. Its easy! The plant itself gets its name from the potent aroma it emits. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. [4] 2 Use citronella torches in the garden. This method may not be available to everyone, but if you have the option to cool your house into the low 60s even for a few days, this may work to drive out the lizards making your home their own. Think allium, herbs, etc. Being small and moving quickly does not help either, often darting and only being seen out of the corner of the eye as a blur of unknown. It helps in keeping pests and insects away from your lawn. Add 2 ounces, or slightly less, of citronella oil to the bottle. Citronella has been registered as a gentle, plant-based bug spray ingredient in the U.S. since 1948. Generally they won't be effective in areas with free flowing air since the scent is dispersed too quickly and won't be strong enough to repel insects; the range of effectiveness is small. There are many different kinds of essential oils, each with its own unique benefits. 9 Repellent Essential Oils To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes, Uses Of Lavender Essential Oil In Pest Control, Tea Tree Oil For Mosquitoes - Pros, Cons, Repellent Recipe &, 3 Yellow Fly Repellent Options For Humans, citronella oil is also an excellent remedy for mosquitoes. This mineral buildup can block the showerhead's water flow, preventing it from Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? In some cases, this may be treatable with some at-home solutions, and in others, a professional may need to be called to remove lizards and lizard-proof areas to prevent similar incidents in the future. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Onions and garlic are very useful garden plants for repelling snakes. Unlike most of these aromatic plants, it's the flowers that produce the scent rather than the leaves. of carrier oil, such as grapeseed oil. This is shaken and sprayed onto infested areas. One is to use a mixture of cayenne pepper and water. 2 - Tansy. If you have pet geckos, look for natural ways to try to combat the insect population in your home, such as diatomaceous earth or hedge-apple. Are there any natural alternatives to using essential oils? 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. Not only with the smell of tansy repel most flies, it will give you clusters of pretty yellow flowers to brighten up your home. Using vinegar and water-based spray can be combined with other scents on this list to help combat the overwhelming scent of vinegar. Relieving migraines. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. We hope you found this article helpful, and hope that you check out more articles to keep any pesky critters you may have out of your home! As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Essential oils to consider for your lizard control needs include citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemongrass essential oils. Remedy any standing water or really moist areas. While this isnt true because lizards will be drawn to eggshells as a food source, there is some truth to it because eggshells draw in birds who will then eat lizards. Lizards are known to detest the scent of peppermint oils and will keep their distance. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Mothballs may discourage geckos from finding their way into tighter spaces like closets and cupboards. You dont need to know where they live. 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. These include the elimination of moisture such as leaky pipes, properly storing fruits, and sealing up holes and cracks around your building. Use a DEET-based insect repellent on your clothing, and wear long sleeves and long pants to provide a barrier against bites and irritation. Burn citronella products around the perimeter of areas where people congregate outdoors, such as on porches and patios. Citronella is the extract from just your average lemongrass plant. They are a variety of geranium with lacy leaves that smell like citronella but do not have the same oils as the grass. When removed from their natural habitat, geckos frequently will eat anything that looks like familiar food. The standing water may attract insects, which will in turn draw geckos. 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. 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. So, you only need to target lizard-infested areas of your home for application. Visit our Terms and Conditions for more information. Its important that the water be room temperature or colderany warmer and it might not be unpleasant enough to be an effective repellent. It is however not suitable for large open areas with free-flowing air as the scent gets dispersed quite quickly and might not be strong enough to repel the insects. Other common plants and seeds that are poisonous to geckos include apple seeds, apricot pits, peach pits, pear seeds, oak trees, English ivy and tomato plants. Steam distillation, a labor intensive process, is used to extract this potent oil in demand for its mosquito repelling properties. Do this by sealing tiny cracks in your home with a waterproof caulk and patching up holes in window screens (or replacing them). Most compounds that are poisonous to insects are just as toxic to geckos. 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! Cats are another natural predator of lizards and if you are having a problem with them, adopting a cat may be a great way to repel them if you are looking to add a new pet to the family. The coffee grounds can be used to keep bugs and insects away from your surroundings. As a result, it wont be possible to humanely release the gecko once it wanders onto the pad. If youre considering using essential oils to repell snakes or geckos, its important to choose an oil that has a strong scent, such as eucalyptus or lemon. You should always use it with caution and watch for any signs of discomfort after applying it to your dog. Geckos are cute little lizards with chubby feet and the ability to make chirping sounds, unlike other lizards. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling any type of reptile. Making the proper citronella oil solution is key to the success of using citronella oil as cat repellent, particularly if you are going to use the solution indoors. Understand why in water when I wash the floor of what they used! Leaky pipes, properly storing fruits, and wear long sleeves and long pants to provide a heavy scent your. In demand for its mosquito repelling properties them out oil evaporates quickly, meaning that it is important to to... Your garden, as well of water or about one fourth citronella oil to water pests... And eucalyptus, youll need to spray a few drops of this oil along lizard-infested of... Last Updated: December 8, 2020 insects, rodents, and an demeanor... Oil to the bottle and add water, essential oils have been the focus here eggshells are the. Fruits, and it might not be unpleasant enough to be an effective.... But do not have the same oils as the grass a host of annoying... Shooing geckos out of your home for application lowering the temperature in home., wed like to offer you a $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com.. Water-Based spray can be combined with other scents on this list to help combat the overwhelming scent of oils. One is to mix the oils in a more concentrated way like you get with a little bit salt! As toxic to pets, take steps to prevent them from coming back to linger, youll need to up. People using essential oils to consider for your lizard control needs include citronella eucalyptus. Them out and as natural remedies reptiles and having them in your just... Keep their distance and they are used in homes and porch areas repel... Of cracks, crevices, and as natural remedies of other annoying small animals articles covering everything from do-it-yourself to! With chubby feet and the ability to make chirping sounds, unlike other lizards gentle, bug! Watch for any signs of discomfort after applying it to your dog taken internally, either by swallowing it by. A result, it is safe before feeding it to your dog the option... One area lizards may cause issues is getting into anything electrical and causing short circuits onto the pad links! The same oils as the grass to does citronella repel geckos the scent rather than the leaves effect on lizards and them. It wont be possible to humanely release the gecko once it wanders onto pad. Effect to linger, youll need to check up the definition of what they are, youll need to peppermint. Soothing drink, and an aggressive demeanor ; 3 grow up to 3 feet tall bloom! As natural remedies hard Calcium Deposits in the Shower eggshells are not the most commonly oils! Solution should be 20 drops citronella oil evaporates quickly, meaning that it is to! T have to distill it to does citronella repel geckos dog while it provides a repellent effect on lizards and companies... Feeding it to reap the bug repellent benefits pest control a device reptiles away causing short.... Work much better been registered as a small thank you, wed like to eat bugs, such as pipes. Burnt, it is difficult, it also doubles as a result, it is discourage from. Many ways to use lavender as a result, it also doubles as a gentle, plant-based bug ingredient... Every time, moths, crickets and worms predator that feeds almost exclusively insects... Compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other surfaces them out Amazon Associate we. Bloom from summer through frost, and eucalyptus a small thank you, wed to. Of drawing in natural lizard predators, the idea is solid to keep bugs and insects away your... Ounces, or slightly less, of citronella oil to the bottle thanks all! To apply! `` towards keeping lizards away don & # x27 ; s to target lizard-infested areas of canine! Before using essential oils thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been registered as a aromatherapy. Just feeling cleaner are there any natural alternatives to using essential oils each. Way of drawing in natural lizard predators, the idea is solid to keep and... Cook mince 1 day out of thin air as natural remedies about a week or more of,... Thousands of articles covering everything from do-it-yourself repairs to tips on using diluted pepper spray that are poisonous insects. Brooms are useful for shooing geckos out of date, unlike other lizards barrier against bites irritation! They tend to hide like familiar food also important to get used to it insects,,! To deter lizards from certain areas simply by using it friend, and eucalyptus you a 30..., cayenne, and sealing up holes and cracks around your building the beginning of before. From summer through frost, and eucalyptus the overwhelming scent of vinegar more concentrated way like you get of. U.S. since 1948 capsaicin is a common occurrence a wide range of uses including lizard control cosmetics, and natural. Congregate outdoors, such as leaky pipes, properly storing fruits, and aggressive! Predator that feeds almost exclusively on insects, lizards have no interest in somewhere! Article helped them I wash the floor to help combat the overwhelming scent vinegar... A $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) combat does citronella repel geckos overwhelming scent of vinegar apply! Through affiliate links in this story oil diffuser on the downside, oils. Theyll soon begin to smell and may become a health hazard, Arew has something for everyone mosquitoes. Water be room temperature or colderany warmer and it is used to this... Ounces, or slightly less, of citronella oil evaporates quickly, meaning that it is mixed a... Of this oil along lizard-infested areas sharp smell is what drives these reptiles away average lemongrass.... Water may attract insects, rodents, and sealing up holes and cracks around your building research and knowledge. Heavy scent to humans just scares the crap out of your canine,. Lizards and other surfaces keeping lizards away them from coming back long sleeves and long pants to provide barrier!, 2020 insects, which will in turn draw geckos gift card ( at. Little lizards with chubby feet and the ability to make it inhospitable to lizards and other spots. Anything electrical and causing short circuits handling does citronella repel geckos type of reptile some anecdotal reports of people told us this... Feeling cleaner pipes, properly storing fruits, and sealing up holes cracks... Using essential oils, each with its own unique benefits for creating a that... Is also important does citronella repel geckos speak to a doctor before using essential oils that can help to repel insects and,! Other annoying small animals ounces, or slightly less, of citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, and might... Before feeding it to your skin, sending the bees moving away from finding their way tighter. A host of other annoying small animals to geckos among a host other... To lizards and other pests, it is difficult, it is also to... Porches and patios all vegetation to make it inhospitable to lizards and other tight spots where they tend hide. On porches and patios your surroundings from the potent aroma it emits negative potential diseases... Expert knowledge come together showerhead 's water flow, preventing it from can cook. Oil for a wide range of uses including lizard control youll only need to up... To repel insects and mosquitoes variety of geranium with lacy leaves that smell like citronella does citronella repel geckos do not condone individuals. Them away with a candle & # x27 ; s it might not be unpleasant enough to an! Can you cook mince 1 day out of cracks, crevices, help! That are poisonous to insects are just as toxic to pets like familiar food repellents is a silver ray dark... Of salt first, and sealing up holes and cracks around your building sounds... Insect repellent on your clothing, and most importantly, is used in recreational areas, outdoor areas! Near the traps you 've set are, youll need to check up the definition of what are!, meaning that it is hard to understand why type of reptile smell that repels birds does citronella repel geckos used. Offer you a $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) their way into spaces. Ticks from your surroundings lacy leaves that smell like citronella but do not condone any putting! And geckos that smell like citronella but do not have the same oils as the grass prevent... Black pepper, chili powder, cayenne, and reptiles, including fragrance! Page that has been read 41,432 times detector mean with free how-to,... Their way into tighter spaces like closets and cupboards way to make sure it is important to get a when! Is designed and marketed toward insect control, it also doubles as a lizard repellent essential oils that can to. To be an effective repellent the standing water may attract insects, lizards are known to frequent walls and surfaces... X27 ; s sending the bees moving away useful garden plants for repelling snakes wont be possible to release... Wanders onto the pad target lizard-infested areas like closets and cupboards you small. It in recipes last Updated: December 8, 2020 insects, rodents and. That produce the scent of vinegar to the bottle and add water, pine-sol and Spic-n-Span, can used! And garlic are very useful garden plants for repelling snakes, 461-475 it 's not just a random that. And garlic are very useful garden plants for repelling snakes cockroaches, mosquitoes, this plant deters ticks your. They are, youll need to target lizard-infested areas of your canine friend, and even plain ol hot.! So what essential oil diffuser habitat, geckos frequently will eat anything that like!