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. Did you know that you could use lemongrass oil for a wide range of uses including lizard control? One of its most distinguishing characteristics is that, in addition to being successful, it is also an affordable, effective, and risk-free [] Apart from repelling lizards, citronella oil is also an excellent remedy for mosquitoes, fleas, cockroaches, ticks and so many other pests. Citronella plants should be safe to keep in the garden around your cats, but we'd recommend planting them in areas that your cat doesn't frequently use. Pine-Sol also comes in several scents that use pine oil as the principal ingredient, making them safe and effective for pest control and offering options for you to choose from to best suit your scent preferences. Youll also need to apply the oil directly to the skin, as snakes and geckos have a keen sense of smell and will be able to smell the oil from a distance. To have a better idea of what they are, youll need to check up the definition of what pests are. Garlic and onion scents are overwhelming for a lizards powerful sense of smell and naturally, they will choose to avoid them. Citronella candles can be used in homes and porch areas to repel insects and mosquitoes. Enjoy! Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. They both give off smells that snakes dislike. This helps form a barrier around areas sprayed or applied. What are the pros and cons of using essential oils? In fact, any cleaner that has a pine scent or phenols is toxic to a gecko. Fitzwater, W. (1974). Organization run by Oregon State University providing objective, science-based information about pests and pesticides, How to Use Citronella As an Insect Repellent, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citronella_oil, http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/01/30/464740275/whats-the-best-way-to-keep-mosquitoes-from-biting, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8827606, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18437832, http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/citronella.html, http://jinsectscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/15/1/140. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavor of the plant. The lemon scent of citronella is used as a natural insect repellent in the form of candles, oil burners (citronella torches), sprays, lotions and soaps. Now, theres a long line of essential oils that can be used for pest control. It helps in keeping pests and insects away from your lawn. Citronella candles and oils are a popular mosquito repellent, but the citronella plant is toxic to pets. There are several! With thousands of articles covering everything from do-it-yourself repairs to tips on parenting, Arew has something for everyone. Cleaning with bleach and other strong chemicals, including Lysol, Pine-Sol and Spic-n-Span, can be hazardous to these cute little lizards. While most humans don't mind the light citrus scent, mosquitoes reportedly hate it, so citronella is used in a variety of products like candles and wristbands and sprays. Step 5 Set traps to reduce insect pest populations. Cutting down on food sources for lizards is one of the best ways to keep them out of a certain area. Manage Settings These could be destructive or simply annoying. Eliminating anything that offers a secure hiding spot for a lizard will discourage them from staying in that area and moving on to another safe place to be. Most people cannot stand reptiles and having them in your home can be a big no-no. But while they are pretty and pleasantly scented, studies have shown them ineffective in repelling mosquitos. There are two types of citronella oil named Java and Ceylon which are derived from Cymbopogon winterianus and Cymbopogon nardus grasses respectively [1] There are many different kinds of essential oils, each with its own unique benefits. Citronella oil is a naturally occurring oil on a perennial plant called citronella grass. Be safe and double check any plants that are in pet geckos' habitats, including both the vivarium and any areas where they are allowed to roam. 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! 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. Lizards are a pest that may not be common everywhere but have massive populations where they are found. Lemon Eucalyptus. Lizard repellent essential oils have been the focus here. Root-knot nematodes. If you're simply after a fresh aroma, use pine, eucalyptus, cedar or any woodsy essential oils. Use a broom or a rolled paper to run them out of the house; 2. 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. REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS MANAGEMENT DILEMMA. For centuries, citronella has been used for a variety of purposes, including: as an insect repellent as an antifungal agent to treat parasitic infections to promote wound healing to lift mood. For longer lasting protection or when in areas at risk from serious mosquito borne diseases, chemicals such as DEET offer better protection. If it is difficult, it is also important to get used to it! Stick some of them on the wall and wait for some lizards trapped in the adhesive. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? They grow up to 3 feet tall and bloom from summer through frost, and help repel mosquitoes as well as: Aphids. A bug zapper or set of sticky traps can also be useful for warding off insects near your porch or patio. Another is to use a mixture of garlic and water. hanging out in your lawn or garden, think twice before driving them away. If you just barely brush is as you walk by and you will get a blast of citrus/ floral fragrance. Looking for a way to get rid of snakes and geckos? Spray it on and around where you don't want birds to nest, and it will keep them at bay. Rubbing the crushed leaves on your skin may repel mosquitoes like any citronella-based repellent for the skin. Tammy Slater is the founder of arew.org, a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike. Citronella is probably most famously known as a mosquito repellant, and both are equally effective at keeping lizards away. The benefits of growing lizard repellant plants include the natural beauty they add and taking advantage of their natural properties. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals and the ambient temperature has a massive effect on them, as it is how they generate energy. Lowering the temperature in your house is a great way to make it inhospitable to lizards and drive them out. This one is also easy to know when to reapply the scent- when the oil diffuser stops, you can refill it easily. Icaridin: This is a new repellent that entered the U.S. market in 2005 (as "picaridin") and was approved by Health Canada in 2012. Lizards also come in many sizes, however, most of them are small enough to find their way throughout your yard and home and make it tricky to prevent. Information shared from an EPA senior biologist notes that lizards themselves are rarely dangerous and have positive potential. The second option is to add the oils to a 2oz bottle and then add about 1/4 to 1/2 an oz. Animals in the wild typically have a sense about what is safe to eat. Citronella is a by-product of lemongrass, which repels mosquitoes as well. X Now, spray onto walls or other areas where lizards often visit. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Simply spray your eucalyptus oil solution onto areas youve noticed their presence. This article has been viewed 26,786 times. This guy right next to me? [2] Like most essential oils, lemongrass has its own health benefits. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. This oil has a characteristic citrus smell that lizards detest. Tend to the landscape. You should always use it with caution and watch for any signs of discomfort after applying it to your dog. Some essential oils can be used to repel snakes and geckos, while others can help relieve stress and anxiety, or improve sleep quality. Strong scents are said to be plants that repel snakes. The expiration date on food is there for a reason. Don't forget to keep your doors and windows shut so they can't get inside! How to repel geckos naturally from high ceilings? There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The plant itself gets its name from the potent aroma it emits. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Kotaro Seki Community Answer Consider leaving outdoor geckos be if they're not causing major problems. This is also a great method, as vinegar is likely something that you already have in your kitchen, and can quickly be deployed in a pinch. So, while dealing with your lizard problems, all sorts of pests are also driven off. The rather pleasant scent to humans just scares the crap out of your canine friend, and it is hard to understand why. Hot pepper extracts can bother your airways if accidentally inhaled. However, citronella oil evaporates quickly, meaning that it is. This process should be repeated whenever the scent wanes. 2. % of people told us that this article helped them. It is found in many familiar insect repellent products: candles, lotions, gels, sprays and towelette wipes. Then, take steps to prevent them from coming back. Simply having a citronella plant in your garden won't deter mosquitoes. 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. Exclusion is one of the best methods for dealing with a lizard problem, as its more or less permanent and doesnt require you to disperse toxic chemicals around your home. It is used in recreational areas, outdoor household areas, and . Pine-Sol is a fantastic cleaning product that doubles as a great way to keep lizards away. If something seems too good to be true, oftentimes it is. Also restart treatment whenever you notice a resurgence of lizards. Setting up a sprinkler system in your lawn may also deter them from coming near your home. Citronella is a common natural and effective essential oil that works against mosquitoes. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Professional pest control services will offer both immediate solutions and long-term prevention that will go a long way. When removed from their natural habitat, geckos frequently will eat anything that looks like familiar food. Think allium, herbs, etc. Its important to use a carrier oil (like coconut oil) when applying essential oils topically, as they can be very concentrated and might cause irritation if applied directly to the skin. 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