If your pet lizard is running away or a wild lizard has suddenly entered your home, you should catch it in a safe and harmless way. Since lizards usually hide when threatened, you must find them first before catching them. Once seen, lead the lizard into the box. Pet lizards must return to their cages, and wild lizards must be released into their natural habitat. If the size of the lizard is too large or there are too many, you can ask for help from pest control services.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Lizard
Step 1. Close all access in the room where the lizard escapes
Close doors and windows to prevent lizards from escaping outside. You can also place a towel under the door gap to prevent the lizards from escaping.
Step 2. Check for dark and closed places
Lizards generally stay in a closed narrow place. Check the area under the sofa, chair, desk, bookshelf, or table in the room. Cabinets, vents, pillows, and plant pots are also places where lizards often hide.
- Use a flashlight to find lizards in dark places.
- Lizards usually hide behind hanging objects, for example behind photo frames on the wall.
Step 3. Move the pet to another room
If your pet is in the room, the lizard may continue to hide. Move the cat or dog to another room until the lizard is caught.
Alternatively, a pet cat can help you catch lizards. However, the cat might kill the lizard. Therefore, this option can only be used to catch wild lizards
Step 4. Turn off all lights
Lizards may come out of hiding when all the lights are turned off. Close all curtains to prevent sunlight from entering. Use a flashlight to help you. Generally, the lizard will come out of hiding after 30 minutes.
Step 5. Wait for the lizard to come out
Lizards will only come out after the situation is felt to be safe. If you can't find the lizard, prepare equipment to catch it. Prepare the equipment until the lizard is finally seen.
If you can't find a wild lizard that entered your home, you may be able to get rid of it using egg shells, camphor, and other household items
Part 2 of 3: Catching Lizards
Step 1. Use the container to catch the lizard
Generally, lizards are about 5 to 7 cm long. Food containers such as margarine or yogurt containers can be used to catch lizards.
Step 2. Approach the lizard slowly
If surprised, the lizard may return to its hiding place. Instead, approach the lizard slowly. If the lizard starts to move, you should stop and be still for a while until it calms down again.
Step 3. Guide the lizard into the prepared box
If the lizard is on the wall, use a magazine or piece of paper to guide it into the box. If the lizard is on the floor, use a broom or a long ruler. Usually, the lizard will go into the box to hide because it feels safe.
- Do not touch the lizard with the object you are using. Move the object towards the lizard to lead it into the box. Don't hit the lizard with it.
- Do not use your hands to pick up or guide the lizard. The lizard's tail may break off. In addition, the lizard may bite you.
Step 4. Spray the lizard with cold water if it continues to run away
If the lizard doesn't want to get into the box, spray a little cold water on it. The lizard will stop or even freeze for a while. Use this moment to catch it with the prepared box.
Step 5. Insert a piece of cardboard or paper under the box
Once you get into the box, make sure the lizard can't escape. Insert a piece of paper or cardboard to cover the box until it is completely closed. Keep the box closed until you are ready to release the lizard into the wild or return it to the cage.
Part 3 of 3: Releasing Wild Lizards
Step 1. Take the lizard outdoors
Lizards should be released into the wild. Do not release lizards near houses or entrances. Lizards may reenter after being released. It's best to keep a few meters away from your house before releasing the lizard.
Step 2. Lift the paper from the box
Hold the box facing the ground and then remove the cardboard or paper underneath. Lizards will run out. If you're not running, you should either step away or leave the box for a few minutes. The lizard will probably run when you're gone.
As long as it's still on the ground, you can also gently tilt the box to get the lizard out
Step 3. Don't keep wild lizards
Most wild lizards will not thrive in a cage or aquarium. This lizard is a wild animal that must be released into its habitat.
Step 4. Call a pest control service if there are too many lizards
Pest controllers can inspect your home for access for lizards to sneak in. Pest control can also remove large lizards from your home. Contact a pest control service near you to ask what kind of services they offer.
This is a good option if a large lizard has entered your home
Tips
- Generally, lizards are quite friendly animals. If left unchecked, the lizards will eat pests and insects in your home.
- You can use trap glue to catch lizards. However, this method will kill the lizard slowly. This method is not a humane way to get rid of lizards.
- Lizards usually enter through small gaps in doors, windows and gutters. Make sure this gap is closed tightly so that lizards can't get in.
Warning
- Pet lizards can also bite if cornered or threatened. Although most lizards are not venomous, their bite can still be painful. Do not touch or grip the lizard directly.
- Don't grip the lizard's tail. The lizard's tail may break off.
