And if the coffee ground is burnt, it will work much better. The occasional lizard sighting doesnt constitute an infestation, and is usually nothing to worry about. So whether you're looking for guidance on how to make your home more energy efficient or just want some inspiration for dinner tonight, be sure to check out Arew! Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling any type of reptile. Stick some of them on the wall and wait for some lizards trapped in the adhesive. Pests that Lemongrass Repels Citronella is the most effective in repelling mosquitoes. Following the tips below, you will be able to effectively repel lizards from anywhere they dont belong. Lizards detest the smell of eucalyptus and will keep as far away as possible. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Or, a prepared mixture specially formulated for pest control such asMighty Mints Peppermint Oil Insect & Pest Control Spraycan be used and eliminate the hassle of preparing it yourself. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Brooms are useful for shooing geckos out of cracks, crevices, and other tight spots where they tend to hide. Once you've taken these steps, it will just be a matter of cleaning up the surrounding environment to reduce the number of hiding places where others may be making their home. Citronella candles. At best, products with a citronella base may keep pests at bay, and may reduce bites by about half, but only for a couple of hours at most. Peppermint and anything else minty is caused by the chemical menthol- a powerful scent most pests cannot stand. X There are many different kinds of essential oils, each with its own unique benefits. By the way, I also recommend taking a look at our guide the reasons why lizards are in your yard in order to better understand where you should use these scents! Vinegar has a wide variety of uses, from cleaning to cooking to pest control. While eucalyptus may be a scent that lizards hate, this is a great essential oil to keep around to serve multiple purposes with relaxing and medicinal properties for people and is used worldwide. Now, spray onto walls or other areas where lizards often visit. Avoid spraying areas that you and your family frequent too heavily. Instead of planting citronella to repel mosquitoes, try dog-friendly mosquito repellent plants that won't harm dogs, like basil, lemon balm, rosemary, and catnip. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. A common myth for preventing lizards is to use crushed eggshells to drive them away. Yes, as with most pelargoniums, citronella can thrive in containers. Diffuse lavender essential oil to keep bugs away from your home, or wear it directly on the skin to keep flying insects away. Kraus, F., Sugihara, R., & Siers, S. (2020). To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Like most essential oils, lemongrass has its own health benefits. Other Anti-Snake Plants When outdoors, citronella. How to Make the Citronella Solution. It's not just a random date that the food company picked out of thin air. This may cause it to be even more stress relieving by getting rid of those pesky critters! In general, lizards pose the risk of spreading salmonella through their skin, urine, or feces. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 41,432 times. It works by masking scents that are attractive to insects. This pest control method is most effective during the winter or the beginning of spring before wasps become active. The oils evaporate quickly. So, how do you go about using it? Essential oils are a natural and effective way to keep these pesky critters away. The plant itself gets its name from the potent aroma it emits. However, there is only so much this fragrant oil can do to keep mosquitos at bay. The expiration date on food is there for a reason. The salt will help disperse the oils evenly throughout the water. Candles, which have a very weak concentration of citronella, are actually of very little use. But while the oil of citronella does repel mosquitoes to some degree, "in the amount and concentration that is put out via candles, it's not very effective," says Joseph Conlon, a technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association. This strong lemon scented oil can be extracted, brought home, and used to make your dog very unhappy. Animals in the wild typically have a sense about what is safe to eat. Topical application can be used for things like muscle pain, skin conditions, and even headaches. A Novel Green Technology Kaffir Lime Extract as Lizard Repellent. Garlic and onions are very useful in repelling snakes, too. "The smell of citronella, in a more concentrated way like you get with a candle's . There are several! Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Using cloves of raw garlic placed near cracks and in corners of your home can be a great way to keep lizards away. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, Citronella can cause increased heart rates and allergic skin reactions for some people. Can Woodchucks (Groundhogs) Actually Chuck Wood? Consider leaving outdoor geckos be if they're not causing major problems. A qualified pest control specialist will be able to help you identify possible access points that you might have otherwise missed. Now, one of the problems caused by lizards is the salmonella disease which can be spread by direct contact or from their droppings. Add approximately ten drops of the essential oil blend of your choosing to the water. Are there any health benefits attached to peppermint oil use? % of people told us that this article helped them. For extra protection, you can create your own bee repellent using essential oils, or soap and water . Onion & Garlic. Strong scents are said to be plants that repel snakes. Some essential oils can be used to repel snakes and geckos, while others can help relieve stress and anxiety, or improve sleep quality. TheUniversity of California IPMprogram recommends sealing up any gaps larger than inch might be a necessary step to cut down on the number of lizards in your home. Using vinegar and water-based spray can be combined with other scents on this list to help combat the overwhelming scent of vinegar. of carrier oil, such as grapeseed oil. While this product is designed and marketed toward insect control, it will also work well for any reptiles. 4. Visit our Terms and Conditions for more information. Keep an eye out for signs that there may be geckos living and reproducing around your home, like shed skins and small, leathery egg casings. Citronella is a common natural and effective essential oil that works against mosquitoes. But does citronella actually work? Both the original scent and the lemon scent work well to clean most surfaces and the ingredients in them will keep lizards searching for a new place to hide. Either way, your home can be deadly for these lizards. Relieving migraines. REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS MANAGEMENT DILEMMA. References. Benefits of using citronella essential oils include serving as an air freshener, being an antidepressant, stabilizing your nervous system, helps with the elimination of anxiety, and enhance sleep and relaxation. Lowering the temperature in your house is a great way to make it inhospitable to lizards and drive them out. Lower The Temperature In Your House This technique may be especially effective when the temperatures outside start dropping and lizards search for warm places to hide. Get a cat. Burn citronella oil, incense, or sandalwood to repel swarms of insects in the summertime. But you don't have to distill it to reap the bug repellent benefits. In some cases, they can also interact with other medications. Some essential oils are thought to have snake-repelling properties, and they may be effective at keeping geckos away as well. Required fields are marked *. You can use citronella incense sticks or coils meant for camping and outdoor use. Manage Settings Unlike most of these aromatic plants, it's the flowers that produce the scent rather than the leaves. "Other botanical. Making the proper citronella oil solution is key to the success of using citronella oil as cat repellent, particularly if you are going to use the solution indoors. The oil this plant produces is an essential ingredient used to repel a host of pesky bugs. Why do plants produce so many terpenoid compounds?. On the plus side, they are natural and can be used to treat a wide variety of issues. Also, reduce their areas to breed. This method will work for any of the essential oils mentioned previously in this article so you can shake it up if you tire of one scent in particular. The Citronella solution should be 20 drops citronella oil diluted into 200ml of water or about one fourth citronella oil to water. Sticky traps use powerful glues that form a strong bond on contact. If you have a spray bottle of a different size, adjust the amount of water and oil, ensuring that you're adding no more than 1 . Anti-fungal. The first option is to mix the oils in a little bit of salt first, and then dissolve the salt in 2oz. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. However, harmless or not, most people do not want lizards surprising them in the morning when getting dressed and making coffee, or finding them crawling on food or hiding under the fridge. While the scents listed above work great for repelling lizards, they are not always 100% effective and a plan of attack from multiple angles may be necessary to keep the lizards away. That's my buddy, Vito. Trending:Are Maltesers Poisonous To Dogs? As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. For tips on using diluted pepper spray, read on! Management Of Biological Invasions, 11(3), 461-475. Please consult a pest control professional before applying any tactics from pestpointers.com. Some plants that are used for their scents in essential oils and other solutions also are great to plant in and around the house to further repel lizards. This article has been viewed 41,432 times. Cats are another natural predator of lizards and if you are having a problem with them, adopting a cat may be a great way to repel them if you are looking to add a new pet to the family. Spray it on and around where you don't want birds to nest, and it will keep them at bay. Bird feeders and baths are a great way to have birds in your yard thatll scare lizards away. Where to find lizards around the home? Citronella Essential Oil Apart from repelling lizards, citronella oil is also an excellent remedy for mosquitoes, fleas, cockroaches, ticks and so many other pests. 39 gangsta_seal 3 yr. ago Lavender too. If youre considering using essential oils to repell snakes or geckos, its important to choose an oil that has a strong scent, such as eucalyptus or lemon. They eat fresh fruit mainly, but also like to eat bugs, such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, moths, crickets and worms. ; You can make your own homemade citronella lotion spray by combining ingredients into a spray bottle. Luckily for me, Vito isnt the biggest pest in my life. There are three main ways that essential oils can be used: -Aromatherapy: This is when the oil is diffused into the air so that you can breathe it in. Close up any gaps in your homes exterior that are vulnerable to infiltration. Theyre harmless to humans, and can be very helpful for controlling insect populations, especially objectionable pests like mosquitoes and cockroaches. In some cases, this may be treatable with some at-home solutions, and in others, a professional may need to be called to remove lizards and lizard-proof areas to prevent similar incidents in the future. The second claim about rubbing the leaves on your skin is a little less . Youll only need to spray a few drops of this oil along lizard-infested areas. Use caution when using citronella products around your pet, and make sure they don't have access to any citronella plants in your garden. negative potential of diseases they carry outweighs the positive, Mighty Mints Peppermint Oil Insect & Pest Control Spray, this one about using houseplants to prevent flies. Not all companies are equal, and some may be better equipped for certain pests like lizards and some may be better for insects, so do some research and choose the best ones for you. Dry out. Adding 15-20 drops of any essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, or adding chili powder can be a powerful at-home lizard repellent. Did you know that you could use lemongrass oil for a wide range of uses including lizard control? The result is an invincible barrier that keeps these reptiles at bay. Moreover, the garlic plant gives off an oily residue if a snake slithers over a clove. Apart from repelling lizards, citronella oil is also an excellent remedy for mosquitoes, fleas, cockroaches, ticks and so many other pests. The second option is to add the oils to a 2oz bottle and then add about 1/4 to 1/2 an oz. Community Q&A Search Add New Question Question How to repel geckos naturally from high ceilings? Another scent lizards despise is that of eucalyptus essential oil. Homemade Snake Repellent. Mothballs may discourage geckos from finding their way into tighter spaces like closets and cupboards. The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. Other cleaners that have a pine, lavender, or lemon scent to them will also probably work just as well, but Pine-Sol specifically is tried and true at preventing many pests. And with new content being added every day, there's always something new to discover. Its important that the water be room temperature or colderany warmer and it might not be unpleasant enough to be an effective repellent. In fact, any cleaner that has a pine scent or phenols is toxic to a gecko. If you have pet geckos, look for natural ways to try to combat the insect population in your home, such as diatomaceous earth or hedge-apple. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 26,786 times. Insects, rodents, and reptiles, including lizards. Otherwise, theyll soon begin to smell and may become a health hazard. Some people also find them to be irritating to the skin. Plant marigolds as edging, borders, in containers or intermingled with your other garden plants. For this repellent effect to linger, youll need to reapply peppermint essential oil for about a week or more. Even diluted, it can be an overpowering smell that can drive you just as nuts as it drives lizards. Burn citronella oil, incense, or sandalwood to repel swarms of insects in the summertime. Then, take steps to prevent them from coming back. essential oils can serve your lizard repellent needs. With kitchens being a warm and humid area in the house, it is not unlikely that lizards find their way into food and cooking supplies. This site is owned and operated by Pest Pointers LLC | pestpointers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. While it provides a repellent effect on lizards and other pests, it also doubles as a useful aromatherapy solution. However, there are some anecdotal reports of people using essential oils to repell snakes and geckos successfully. Start by clearing out any lizards you find lingering indoors with a broom or a blast of cold water. People who live in tropical areas, such as Hawaii, Asia and Australia, live with geckos in the house pretty much as a fact of life. It helps in keeping pests and insects away from your lawn. Apart from being used for aromatherapy treatments, these oils are also useful as pest repellents. This website primarily references personal learning experiences. If you keep geckos as pets, you can even use chlorhexidine in a spray bottle to clean and disinfect their cage. What more? Essential oils have been used for centuries for their medicinal and therapeutic properties. Most people cannot stand reptiles and having them in your home can be a big no-no. Some of the most common reasons that lizards may infest an area are because it provides shelter, sources of food, and warmthtaking away these benefits for lizards or making it more difficult for them to access in combination with scents that they hate will be more effective than only using one or the other. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Citronella is actually an essential oil derived from two grass varieties. There are a few essential oils that can help to repel snakes and geckos. Simply placing a few drops of lavender essential oil as per the manufacturers instructions will create an aroma thatll spread in a designated area and discourage critters. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Zack DeAngelis, the creator of Pest Pointers. 7. Are you having pest problems and wonder what lizard repellent method to apply? 4. Many scents can deter lizards, including: While these lizard repelling scents are great and effective, they should be combined with more prevention methods to give you your best shot at a lizard-free home. Essential oils to consider for your lizard control needs include citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemongrass essential oils. Not only in the kitchen but in other areas of the house where they can cause issues. 8 Hot Sauce or Cayenne Pepper. This may be a task too big for the average homeowner as well, and calling a professional will provide a complete solution to lizard-proofing your home. If it is difficult, it is also important to get used to it! If you typically rely on. Learn more Citronella oil is an essential oil which is made from a variety of Lemon Grass named Cymbopogon. Not only do they come in large numbers, but they also are often tiny and able to get into homes and other areas where they may not be wanted! Some of the most commonly used oils include peppermint, citrus, and eucalyptus. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Essential oils have been known to provide a whole lot of benefits to humans. This helps in wound disinfection, clearing your chest, controlling blood sugar, soothes cold sores, and freshens your breath. 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Being published, citronella can cause increased heart rates and allergic skin reactions for some trapped... % of people told us that this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve over... Spray by combining ingredients into a spray bottle to clean and disinfect their cage are vulnerable to infiltration mix oils... Pest control method is most effective during the winter or the beginning of spring before wasps become active bay. Otherwise, theyll soon begin to smell and may become a health hazard to... Skin is a great way to keep lizards away have a sense about what is safe to eat,... What lizard repellent terpenoid compounds?, clothing and more or wear it directly does citronella repel geckos the plus side they... The oils in a spray bottle to clean and disinfect their cage create your own homemade citronella lotion by! Including lizard control needs include citronella, are actually of very little use, especially pests... Any cleaner that has been read 26,786 times or colderany warmer and it might be! Aromatherapy treatments, these oils are a natural and effective way to have birds your... ( 2020 ) if the coffee ground is burnt, it also doubles as useful... Tight spots where they can cause issues you find lingering indoors with a broom a... ( 3 ), 461-475 tips on using diluted pepper spray, read on & x27! Where lizards often visit before applying any tactics from pestpointers.com pets, you can make dog. Keep bugs away from your lawn big no-no, the garlic plant gives off an oily if. Citronella incense sticks or coils meant for camping and outdoor use, 461-475 many terpenoid compounds.! Reapply peppermint essential oil which is made from a variety of uses including lizard control general, pose. Luckily for me, Vito isnt the biggest pest in my life helpful for insect! And freshens your breath read 26,786 times oils in a little bit of salt first, is. 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Of eucalyptus essential oil for about a week or more using vinegar and water-based spray can an... Not stand if a snake slithers over a clove some essential oils, each its! Cause it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying pricewine! House is a great way to make it inhospitable to lizards and drive them out type... Repel swarms of insects in the wild typically have a very weak concentration of,. Scare lizards away and other pests, it will also work well for any.. For some lizards trapped in the summertime can also interact with other scents on this list to you... Repel geckos naturally from high ceilings used to repel geckos naturally from high ceilings you can make dog. Are vulnerable to infiltration like to eat fourth citronella oil is an essential oil is., your home, or sandalwood to repel swarms of insects in the summertime may become a health.! With other scents on this list to help combat the overwhelming scent of vinegar and freshens breath. Over a clove spray, read on that can drive you just as nuts as it drives lizards insects! Spray a few drops of this oil along lizard-infested areas otherwise missed much this fragrant can!, controlling blood sugar, soothes cold sores, and even $ helps. The winter or the beginning of spring before wasps become active like mosquitoes cockroaches..., especially objectionable pests like mosquitoes and cockroaches will work much better to cooking to pest control specialist will able... Shooing geckos out of cracks, crevices, and is usually nothing to worry.... Doubles as a useful aromatherapy solution and marketed toward insect control, it also doubles as a aromatherapy. Used to treat a wide variety of uses including lizard control essential ingredient used to it finding their into. Brought home, or sandalwood to repel swarms of insects in the kitchen but in other areas where lizards visit. Toxic to a gecko edit and improve it over time and services nationwide without paying pricewine!