Some people love having lizards in their backyard because they help get rid of insects. Others don’t like how they disturb the ecosystem of their yard.
Regardless of whether you think they’re beneficial or not, you’ll probably see lizards in your backyard more often than you’d like.
What’s so tempting about backyards? It’s the food, of course! You may not know it, but your backyard has more lizard food than you can imagine.
To give you the full picture, I’ll cover what backyard lizards eat and how to get rid of them. Let’s get right to it!
What Do Garden Lizards Feed on?
Backyard/Garden lizards don’t feed on a specific type of food. Their diet is more flexible than you think. Let’s see a few examples.
Animals
Here’s the thing: The type of animal lizards target depends on their size. Small lizards prefer baby snakes, invertebrates, and insects.
Insects are probably the main component of backyard lizards’ diets. They’re easy to find, and lizards are skilled hunters — a perfect combination.
Whether it’s flies, crickets, or mealworms, no insect can escape a hungry gecko!
I know what you’re thinking: “They’re getting rid of the annoying insects, so why would I want to kick these lizards out?”
Because some of them will target all the wasps, maggots, and honeybees they can find. These insects benefit your backyard, pollinating flowers and boosting compost formation.
I think that’s enough of a reason. If not, just know it’s only a matter of time before these lizards break into your house. You don’t want that, do you?
What about big lizards? Ever heard of Tegus or the Komodo dragon? Insects and worms won’t fulfill these giant reptiles’ appetites, so they usually hunt larger prey, like birds, rodents, and rabbits.
Now, you probably understand why your backyard is a perfect home for lizards. From insects and invertebrates to rodents and birds, they contain all their favorite foods.
Fruit
You probably thought backyard lizards only eat other animals. Well, that’s not entirely true.
Bearded dragons and crested geckos enjoy grapes, blueberries, apples, and more. They provide them with an adequate amount of water.
If you’re growing a few fruit plants in your backyard, don’t be surprised if you notice a few lizards lurking around.
Vegetables
Yes, lizards can consume carrots, kale, tomatoes, and peas. You might also see them targeting the leaves of citrus and banana trees.
Lizards don’t eat them in large quantities, though. So, don’t expect vegetables to be the cornerstone of their diet or anything.
Related: 5 Great Ways to Stop Lizards From Eating Your Plants
How to Get Rid of Backyard Lizards
Now that you understand the food backyard lizards are attracted to, it’s time to see how you can get rid of them.
1. Lizard Repellent
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of DIY products, investing in a decent lizard repellent is your best bet.
Lizard repellents are available at numerous private stores and local supermarkets. They come in spray and gel form.
Apply it in different areas of your backyard and focus on the spots you think lizards would target.
How do these repellents work? Well, their powerful smell agitates lizards, causing a burning sensation in their eyes and bodies.
Some repellents go as far as killing lizards. So, it’s only a matter of time before you notice their population declining in your backyard.
2. Coffee Method
Use coffee to repel Lizards? What is this? TikTok? You’d be surprised how effective this method is. Besides, you’re not just using coffee.
This method requires you to mix a can of tobacco with coffee powder. Now, form the mixture into balls and put them in different corners of your backyard.
It won’t be long before you enjoy a lizard-free garden.
Pro tip: Try to bury some of the balls under the surface to confuse the lizards regarding the source of the smell.
Of course, you don’t want to bury them too deep, as they might lose their effectiveness.
So, what’s so special about this coffee-tobacco mixture? Lizards hate the smell of coffee and avoid it at any cost.
Even if one is brave enough to taste the ball, the tobacco will kill it. So, it’s a double-lethal weapon.
3. DIY Pepper Spray
Pepper spray isn’t just effective against stalkers. It also does wonders against lizards. These reptiles are allergic to pepper because it agitates their senses.
You don’t have to be a Nobel Prize-winning chemist to make a spray. It takes simple ingredients that you probably already have at home.
The best part? It’s an organic solution. You don’t have to worry about it damaging your plants. So, don’t be scared to spray it generously.
However, I still recommend covering all the plants in the backyard to ensure the lizards don’t target them.
4. Tabasco Sauce Spray
Tabasco sauce is a common ingredient in most kitchens. I bet you have one in your fridge right now.
Here’s the thing: It’s not just a delicious condiment. It’s also an effective lizard-repellent.
Like pepper, the smell of Tabasco sauce disturbs lizards’ senses. Just mix some of it with water, and you are good to go.
You can spray the solution along the bottom of your fence, near the plants, or in areas that are difficult to reach. That’s where lizards tend to hide.
5. EggShells
Eggshells are one of the simplest, most effective remedies to use against lizards. Just place a few shells in different areas of your backyard and watch these reptiles run away.
Why do eggshells work so well? Because they contain sulfur, which hurts lizards’ abdomens. It also prompts them to believe that other organisms live in this area, so they’ll be quick to leave.
6. Mothballs
Mothballs are effective pest repellents. That’s why people usually put them in storage boxes. What you probably didn’t know is that their overwhelming smell can repel lizards, too.
So, scatter them around your backyard, and you won’t have to worry about a reptile infestation anymore.
Of course, you want to keep them away from kids, as they can mistake these small, white balls for candy and eat them.
7. Shallots
We’re not the only species sensitive to the smell of shallots. Give these lizards a knife, ask them to cut one, and wait for the waterworks.
Jokes aside, shallots contain sulfur, which repels lizards. Just grind or cut a few and put them in different corners of your backyard, and you’re done.
Final Thoughts
Then next time your friend begs for your help, asking: “What do backyard lizards eat? And how do I get rid of them?” You know what to say.
The idea is to create a repelling smell that prompts them to stay away from your backyard. It’s not that hard, is it? Now, you can enjoy a lizard-free garden with fresh air and healthy plants.
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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