Lizards slipping into homes is a common occurrence in warmer climates. If you find a baby lizard scurrying across your floor, don’t panic! Although startling, these small reptiles are typically harmless. With a few simple steps, you can remove the lizard without harming it.
Here’s a quick answer: Gently catch the lizard with a container and piece of paper. Release it outside in a safe, natural habitat. Then, seal any cracks in your home’s foundation to prevent future lizard invasions.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about finding a baby lizard in your house. You’ll learn how to identify different types of lizards, humanely catch and release the reptile, and prevent more lizards from sneaking inside.
Identifying Baby Lizards in Your Home
Look for key features like scales, four legs, and a tapered tail
If you spot a small, quick-moving creature scooting across your floor, how can you tell if it’s a baby lizard? Lizards have some key identifiable features to look for. First, they will have scales covering their skin, unlike smooth-skinned frogs or salamanders.
Lizards also have four legs, while snakes lack legs entirely. Finally, check for a long tapered tail – lizards rely on their tails for balance and storing fat reserves. So if you see quick little creature with scales, four legs, and a pointy tail, you likely have a baby lizard on your hands!
Common types of lizards found indoors
The type of lizard you find inside will depend on your geographic location. Some of the most common lizards found sneaking into homes include:
- Geckos – These tiny lizards with large eyes can climb smooth surfaces. They are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions.
- Anoles – Known for the flap of skin on their throat called a dewlap. They live in warm climates in the southern U.S.
- Skinks – Glossy, smooth-scaled body. The most widespread lizard found inside homes.
- Swifts – Long front limbs and short back legs give them a fish-like profile. Found in desert areas of the southwest U.S.
There may be less common lizards in your area too. For example the blue-tailed skink in California or the six-lined racerunner in the southeastern states. Familiarize yourself with lizards native to your region.
Understanding lizard behavior
What do you do if you spot a small lizard darting by? First, don’t panic! Baby lizards are harmless to humans. They are likely inside your home by accident, looking for food and water sources. Since they are cold-blooded, they may be attracted to the warmth inside.
The good news is you can usually encourage lizard intruders to leave without any drama.
| Lizard Behavior | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Lifting one front leg off the ground | Being cautious and assessing threats |
| Bobbing head up and down | Trying to intimidate you! |
| Darting behind furniture | Hiding from perceived danger |
| Freezing in place | Hoping to avoid detection |
| Lashing tail | Feeling threatened |
Understanding these lizard behaviors can prevent you from accidentally provoking them. Stay calm, move slowly, and give them a clear escape path outdoors. Or gently catch and release them if they seem stuck inside.
Catching and Removing a Baby Lizard Safely
Act calmly and quietly
Discovering a baby lizard scurrying around your home can be startling, but try to remain calm. Making loud noises or sudden movements will likely scare the little reptile and cause it to hide or run away quickly. Move slowly and quietly to avoid stressing out the lizard.
Use a container and piece of paper
To catch the lizard, you’ll need a small container like a plastic tub or jar. Also grab a stiff piece of paper or cardboard that will cover the opening. With calm, smooth motions, place the container over the lizard, trapping it inside.
Then slide the paper underneath to temporarily seal it closed so the lizard can’t escape.
Avoid direct contact with the lizard
It’s best not to touch lizards with your bare hands as you don’t know where they’ve been or what germs they may carrying. If you need to move the lizard into the container, use gloves or the piece of paper to prevent direct contact.
Some lizards may try to bite if threatened, so avoiding touching them keeps everyone safe!
Release the lizard outdoors quickly
Keep disturbances to the baby lizard minimal by releasing it outdoors right away. Look for a suitable habitat, like a garden bed or under a bush, that provides shelter and access to insects for food. Gently tilt the container to let the lizard crawl out on its own.
This no-fuss removal gets the little reptile back to nature where it belongs in just minutes. Now you can go enjoy your lizard-free home again!
Preventing Future Lizard Invasions
Seal cracks and gaps in your home’s foundation
Lizards can squeeze through incredibly tiny cracks and crevices to gain access to your home. To keep them out, carefully seal any gaps in your home’s foundation and exterior walls using caulk. Pay special attention to potential entry points like windows, doors, attic vents, and areas where utilities enter the house.
The National Pest Management Association recommends a high-quality silicone or latex caulk for sealing cracks and crevices.
Install door sweeps or draft blockers
Even if your doors shut tightly, small gaps at the bottom can allow lizards to sneak inside. Installing door sweeps or draft blockers at the base of exterior doors creates a tight seal that blocks gaps. For sliding glass doors, apply weatherstripping around the edges.
This helps stop lizards as well as prevents cooled or heated air from escaping your home, saving on energy costs.
Keep yards free of debris and neatly landscaped
Lizards love hiding spots, so keeping your yard free of debris eliminates places for them to nest. Rake up leaves frequently, clear away piles of sticks and rocks, and trim overgrown vegetation. Lizards also dislike open, exposed areas, so a neatly landscaped yard is less appealing.
The Terminix pest control company suggests incorporating plants that repel lizards, like lavender, mint, garlic, and chives around your home’s perimeter.
Use pest deterrents strategically
Certain smells and textures can effectively repel lizards from your home. Try placing bags of mothballs along common lizard entry points or sprinkle coffee grounds around the outside foundation. You can also apply sticky barrier traps outside to prevent lizards from crawling inside.
Always use pest deterrent products carefully by following label instructions to avoid harming kids, pets or beneficial wildlife.
Conclusion
Discovering a small lizard darting through your home can be alarming at first. However, with the right approach, you can humanely remove the reptile without harm. Identify the type of lizard, gently catch it in a container, and release it outside in a safe, natural area.
Prevent future invasions by sealing any entry points and keeping your yard tidy. With this straightforward guidance, you can deal with an unexpected lizard encounter calmly and effectively.
