Many people are divided about whether lizards in the backyard are a good or bad thing. However, while the jury is still out on that, you need to know that these lizards are quite common, and you might see them moving in your backyard quite frequently.
While they are relatively harmless creatures, most people have issues with lizards in their yard because of a variety of reasons. Lizards usually eat a variety of different things, such as tiny insects like ants and flies, as well as different kinds of fruits and vegetables.
The real problem arises when these lizards multiply, and start looking for different food sources. Not only will they ruin all your plants, but they can also affect the ecology of your backyard.
More importantly, there’s a risk that these reptiles might find their way into your house, and nobody wants that to happen. So, before you start panicking, you should know that there are a bunch of proven methods to keep lizards out of your yard.
But, with so many different kinds of backyard lizards, it can be difficult to get a comprehensive idea about what they eat. Here is a brief guide to help you understand.
Size of the Animal
Most of the lizards are predatory by nature, which means that they rely on different kinds of insects in your yard. For instance, some lizards prefer eating ants, while others might look for bird nests and suck on the eggs.
Larger lizards, such as the Komodo dragon, which you are unlikely to find in your yard, usually look for larger prey. Therefore, the first thing that affects their diet is their size. A bigger lizard will obviously look for prey, because it needs to eat more to survive.
However, you are probably not going to see many large lizards crawling in your yard. Keep in mind that certain species, such as the Eastern Collared Lizard, are also likely to eat their younger species.
Spiders, beetles, and various other smaller insects are all fair game, and lizards hunt them quite frequently.
Many smaller species will easily forage for food in your backyard. But, the major issue with this is that these lizards will tamper with your plants, and are unlikely to kill plants such as fruits or vegetables.
If a bird has made its nest in your garden, it’s also probable that the eggs might die outright. So, how do you get rid of these backyard lizards?
There are plenty of different ways to get rid of backyard lizards. Here are some of the most effective methods that you can use to get rid of these pesky reptiles.
Use a Lizard Repellent
If you don’t know much about home remedies and simply don’t want to bother with them, the best option available for you is to invest in a decent lizard repellent.
Lizard repellents are available from a number of private stores, and you can easily buy it from your local supermarket. It’s either available as a spray, or as a small gel tube.
You just need to inject some of the gel and place it in different areas of the backyard. Ideally, you should choose a safe, cornered spot that’s well hidden so that the gel has time to harden in place.
Over time, you will notice the lizard population declining rapidly in your backyard.
Coffee Method
Another quite effective method that can be used for getting rid of backyard lizards is the coffee method.
All you have to do is to buy a can of tobacco and mix it with coffee powder. Many people refer to them as the lizard killing balls. You just need to mix them as fine as possible and make tiny balls from the mixture.
These balls can be placed at different corners of the backyard, and you might even want to bury some under the surface. However, make sure that you do not bury the balls too deep under the surface, otherwise they are going to lose their effectiveness.
DIY Pepper Spray
If you want a more proactive method to get rid of the backyard lizards, you might want to create a pepper spray. It’s important to note that lizards are allergic to pepper, and run from it.
If you create a pepper spray, it’s going to be quite irritating for the lizards, and they are going to run away from your backyard as quickly as possible. All you need to do is to mix some crushed black pepper with water, and then put it in a spray bottle.
Because this is a completely organic solution, you don’t have to worry about any kind of damage to your plants. If you know the hiding places of different lizards, spray the solution generously there.
However, it’s best to cover all the plants and the bases around the backyard to ensure that the lizards stay away.
Tabasco Sauce Spray
Tabasco sauce is a mainstay in most kitchens, and if you open your refrigerator, you are probably going to find the thin red bottle there. Tabasco sauce, while an excellent addition to different foods, is also quite effective in turning away lizards.
Just as pepper annoys lizards, the smell of Tabasco sauce really causes problems for them. Just use a bit of Tabasco sauce and mix it in with water, and you are good to go. You can then spray the solution along the bottom of the fence, and near the plants as well.
It’s best to target difficult to reach areas with the sharp sprayer, as that is probably where most lizards tend to hide.
Egg Shells
One of the simplest, yet most effective remedies, is the use of egg shells. Just place some empty egg shells in different areas of the backyard, and you will notice the lizards running away. There’s an organism present within these egg shells that deters the lizards away.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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