Will Cedar Repel Gecko Lizards?

Geckos are common house pests, especially in warm climates such as the Southern United States. Those afflicted by a persistent gecko population may be reluctant to kill the reptiles. Several methods are effective in repelling geckos safely. Use these strategies to reduce the gecko population on your property and prevent lizards from entering your home.

  1. Cedar and Geckos

    • Cedar will kill geckos, but it will not repel them. If a gecko eats a cedar chip, the animal will be poisoned and die. For this reason, pet owners should never use cedar in the cages of small animals and reptiles. Because the odor of cedar does not repel geckos, cedar is not helpful in preventing pests from entering your home. Even if you surround your property with cedar chips, geckos will be affected only if they eat the wood.

    Pesticides and Electronic Repellents

    • Pesticides used to kill insects can also kill lizards. However, because geckos are larger and hardier than most winged pests, the level of pesticides required to keep geckos from entering your home would harm humans and pets. Electronic lizard repellent devices are available at most home and garden stores. The device emits vibrations at a frequency audible only to tiny household pests such as mice and geckos, causing them to leave the area.

    Gecko-Proofing

    • Prevent geckos from entering by sealing cracks and holes in your home. Examine your foundation and the weather stripping that surrounds the doors and windows, and close any gaps you find using a foam glue gun. Place screens on all windows and do not leave doors open for extended periods of time.

    Catch and Release

    • You can also use a catch and release method to rid your home of geckos. After sealing your home to prevent lizards from entering, catch any that remain inside and release them outdoors far from your property. This will prevent the lizards from taking up permanent residence and reproducing within the walls of your house. Trap lizards without touching them by placing a glass dish on top of a gecko that you find resting on your floor or wall. Slide a piece of paper beneath the edges of the dish without lifting it. The paper should glide under the lizard's feet. You have now trapped the gecko in the container and can safely relocate it to a new environment.