How to Exterminate Lizards

Most species of lizards in North America are harmless. But they can be pests when they infest your garden or your home. Unfortunately, our homes and gardens are providing plenty of the lizard's essentials. They need only insects and water to survive. Shrubs and flower beds are excellent sources for insects. Sprinkler systems provide enough water for any lizard to thrive. Cracks and crevices offer living space. Getting rid of lizards is not easy, and some efforts may not work the first time.

Control the lizards' food source--outdoor roaches, ants and crickets-- with pesticides. Treat your home with pesticides on a regular basis. Keep insect populations down, and you will keep lizard populations down.

Use a pesticide that comes with a device to get into cracks and crevices where insects and lizards live. The pesticide will kill the insects and irritate the lizards, so they may leave treated areas.

Use the treatment Cypermethrin on plants and shrubbery where lizards are feeding. It has a sour taste which lizards don't like. It won't hurt the plant, it kills insects and it should drive lizards away.

If pesticides and treatments don't work, cover plants with a fine mesh plastic called lizard netting. Lizards cannot chew through this netting. This annoyance should cause lizards to move elsewhere.

Use insect or roach scented glue traps to catch small lizards inside the home. Place the traps along baseboards, under furniture, on countertops or any other place you have seen lizards.

Make your own glue traps to catch larger lizards. Buy bulk glue in a pail. Cut cardboard, plastic sheeting, thin metal or any hard, non-porous material to make traps large enough to catch whatever size lizard you have seen. Spread glue on the traps and place around your home. Release trapped lizards at least one mile from your home. Pour vegetable oil on the glue to free the lizard.