**Wildlife Pests Require a Wildlife Professional & are NOT Considered Pest Control – We are providing this information as a service to our customers and would be happy to refer you to a wildlife control company to further assist you. **
The heat of the summer and the cool of the late fall can both encourage lizards to enter the home. Lizards seek out shelter and like snakes are drawn to water and food sources. Window wells frequently provide both of those necessities; however, lizards may become trapped in the well pit leaving them to look for alternate methods of escape. Sealing gaps and cracks around windows and doors as well as along the foundation will help in keeping lizards out of the home. Weather stripping that has been damaged or torn should also be replaced along entry doors and garages. Check foundation vents and dryer or foundation level fan vents for proper screening and guards.
Decreasing moisture and potential food sources (typically insects or small rodents) in and around your home will help to deter lizard activity. Resolve pest problems promptly by contacting a pest professional. Decrease watering times for your lawn and/or garden areas. Install drains to pull moisture away from the foundation of the home and eliminate sources of standing water including outdoor pet bowls. Removing or trimming ground cover around the foundation area of your home will also help to decrease the attractiveness of your house for lizard activity along with their food supplies.
Removing lizards that have become trapped in window wells or have accessed the interior of your home or crawlspace can, at times, be difficult due to their swift movements and typically small sizes. Utilizing empty boxes to corner and trap the lizard is often helpful in capturing and safely removing them from the home. In cases where lizards are elusive or difficult to capture, the use of glue traps or adhesive boards in areas where activity has been noted may be necessary. For those concerned about humane removal of the lizard, adhesive can be dissolved in order to release the lizard from the board by soaking the adhesive in vegetable oil. Hand capture of lizards is possible, just be cautious as lizards will often bite in defense and may result in a wound that can quickly become infected. Hand capture can also inflict additional stress or injury to the lizard.