The Not-So-Wonderful World of Lizards

The Italian Wall Lizard or Ruin Lizard (Podarcis sicula) is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family found in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United States. P. sicula belongs to the Squamata family of lizards and is the most abundant lizard species in southern Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lizards are interesting reptiles that are fun to look at, hold, and watch. However, if you have a lizard infestation in your yard or garden, you may find lizards less than cute. While relatively harmless, lizards can be a nuisance in some parts of the country. Keep reading to find out how to drive these creatures away from your home.

The Amazing Lizard

Lizards vary in weight and length, ranging from two inches to more than two feet. There are close to 6,000 different species of lizards known to man, living on all continents except Antarctica. These elusive creatures can often detach from their tails to escape predators, a characteristic that other reptiles also share. Chameleons are a particularly interesting type of lizard, as they escape predators by changing colors to blend in with their surroundings.

Many keep lizards as pets, feeding them worms, crickets, and various green vegetation. However, wild lizards may become pests, making their removal mandatory. Instead of exterminating them, as you would insects, consider humane and helpful ways to drive them off your property.

How to Remove Lizards from Your Home

Areas that are have high concentrations of insects, particularly of small bugs such as crickets or beetles, can attract lizards. These are food sources for lizards and other scaly critters, so reducing the local insect population may be helpful in your plight. You may consider contacting a local pest control service to reduce the insect population on your property.

Clutter, trash, and a messy environment also encourage pests to enter, so removing any litter from your yard may discourage lizards from entering your property. They also like standing water, so keeping areas well drained and dry may also increase your chances of driving lizards away from your home, garden, or place of work.