The Best Lizard Repellents of 2021 - Picks from Bob Vila - BobVila.com
Drive cold-blooded pests from your home and property with one of these top lizard repellents.
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While furry rodent invaders can strike pretty much anywhere, people living in warmer climates face another kind of threat—lizards. Anoles, geckos, iguanas, and other scaly invaders can make their home in or around a human dwelling. And, unlike the common mouse, for which there are scores of pest products, there are surprisingly few solutions for dealing with lizard invasions.
Fortunately, there are some products that actually work. Lizard repellents consist of sprays and granules that use strong-smelling substances, such as mothballs, sulfur, or essential oils, to drive away these forked-tongue nuisances from your property. There are also plug-in indoor repellents that emit irritating ultrasonic sounds. This guide will examine the range of repellents to determine what features to consider when shopping for the best lizard repellent. Reviews for some of the most effective products on the market will also be provided.
- BEST OVERALL: Victor Snake-a-Way Snake Repelling Granules
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Natural Armor Lizard & Gecko Repellent Spray
- BEST NATURAL: Exterminators Choice Lizard Defense Spray
- BEST ELECTRONIC: Neatmaster Ultrasonic Indoor Pest Repellent
- BEST SPRAY: Iguana Rid Ready to Use Manual Pest Spray Bottle
- BEST INDOOR: MaxMoxie Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
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What to Consider When Choosing the Best Lizard Repellent
When selecting a lizard repellent, it's crucial to understand the different types in order to purchase the right product for the job, as some repellents are only suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Ahead, learn about the different types of lizard repellents and other factors you should consider when shopping for one of these pest control products.
Types of Lizard Repellent
Lizard repellents consist of chemical and non-chemical varieties. Chemical repellents contain active ingredients such as sulfur and naphthalene. Sulfur is harsh to lizards' olfactory system, which drives them away. Naphthalene, better known as mothballs, also repels lizards through scent. While chemical solutions are effective, keep in mind that mothballs and sulfur put off strong odors and are also foul-smelling to humans.
Non-chemical lizard repellents consist of essential oils, which also put off strong odors. The difference with essential oils is that they smell pleasant to humans.
Odor
The reason sulfur, mothballs, and essential oils work so well to drive away lizards is because they produce a pungent odor these cold-blooded critters can't stand. The problem is that many of these substances aren't pleasant to mammalian sniffers either. While repellents that use essential oils are fine for indoor use, those relying on foul-smelling sulfur or naphthalene are only suitable for outdoor applications.
Coverage
Understanding how much coverage a repellent can provide is key. Sprays typically offer about 200 square feet of coverage for a 32-ounce bottle, making them suitable for indoor use or smaller outdoor areas. Granules are designed to create a barrier between lizards and your home. Since a thin line of granules is all that's needed to ward off reptiles, they can protect large swaths of land up to several acres in size. Electronic repellents produce ultrasonic noise that drives away lizards. Since ultrasonic noise cannot travel through walls, they're typically only effective for repelling lizards from a single room.
Easy to Use
All lizard repellents are designed to be easy to apply. Most do not require mixing or special applications. Liquid repellents come in bottles with sprayers that make them easy to apply, while granule products come in shaker bottles that eliminate the need for the user to handle the granules or transfer them to an applicator. Alternatively, one need only plug an ultrasonic repellent into a standard electrical outlet to begin driving away lizards.
Natural Ingredients
While some repellents use harsh chemicals as their active ingredients, others use nontoxic ingredients such as herbs, garlic, and essential oils, which are natural repellents that emit an odor lizards strongly dislike. Repellents with natural ingredients are usually suitable for use indoors or outdoors, making them more versatile than those that use harsh chemicals. Keep in mind that repellents with natural ingredients typically aren't as effective at repelling lizards as those that use naphthalene or sulfur.
Inside or Outside Use
When shopping for a lizard repellent, it's vital to pay attention to whether it's suitable for indoor use, outdoor use, or both. Generally speaking, products that use harsh chemicals such as sulfur and naphthalene are only safe for outdoor use, whereas products that use essential oils are suitable for either. Ultrasonic repellents, which plug into an outlet and require electricity, should only be used indoors to avoid rainwater damage to the product.
Our Top Picks
The list below takes into account the above considerations to narrow the field of lizard repellents to the most effective options. It includes products designed for indoor and outdoor use as well as those that use only natural ingredients.
Though this product is designed for snakes, it's also very effective at repelling lizards. That's because it includes two active ingredients that drive lizards away: naphthalene (mothballs) and sulfur. These chemicals produce strong odors that disrupt lizards' sense of smell. To use, sprinkle the granules around the perimeter of the home to repel lizards (and snakes) for up to 3 months. The granules come in a 4-pound container with a shaker top, allowing the user to apply it without having to come into contact with the granules. It includes enough granules to cover a 5-acre space. This product has a strong odor and is only suitable for outdoor use. Product Specs Pros ConsBest Overall
Ridding your property of scaly squatters can quickly become an expensive endeavor, especially if there's a large population of reptilian invaders to contend with. This spray repellent from Natural Armor is an economical way to mount an attack. The gallon-size jug of lizard repellent can cover up to 1,000 square feet, is waterproof, and will last up to 90 days before requiring reapplication. It's also nontoxic and doesn't release any noxious odors; instead, it uses herbal scents that irritate the olfactory senses of lizards. To apply, use the trigger sprayer to spray indoor or outdoor areas that have lizard activity such as a deck, garage, or shed. This is how to get rid of lizards on porch furniture, too. Product Specs Pros ConsBest Bang For the Buck
Lizard Defense Spray is easy to apply and lasts for a fairly long time before needing to be reapplied, making it one of the best options for defending one's property from unwanted reptilian visitors. Exterminators Choice uses essential oils from peppermint, cinnamon, and clove, which irritate lizards' sense of smell. Simply spray in areas where lizard activity is present to drive them away. And while essential oils may not be as effective as chemical options, this product is safe for use around children and pets and doesn't have a noxious odor. It's suitable for indoor or outdoor use and repels anoles, iguanas, horned lizards, and other reptiles. Each application lasts for about a month. Product Specs Pros ConsBest Natural
Using lizard repellents that rely on chemicals or even essential oils can be overwhelming for indoor use, which is what makes this ultrasonic indoor pest repeller from Neatmaster such a great option. It releases a high-pitched sound that's unpleasant to lizards (and other pests) but inaudible to humans. With its coverage of 80 to 120 square feet, it's ideal for use in a single room. It has three intensity settings, which are easily viewable by the color of the repeller's LED light. In addition to lizards, it will also work with insects, rodents, and other pests. Product Specs Pros ConsBest Electronic
Easy to apply, long-lasting, and effective on a variety of reptiles and amphibians, Iguana-Rid is one of the best iguana repellent sprays on the market. Like other repellents, Iguana-Rid uses a scent that's irritating to lizards to ward them off. And, since it uses natural ingredients such as garlic, it's safe for use around people and pets. To apply, simply spray liberally around areas where lizards congregate. Iguana-Rid lasts for 30 days before requiring reapplication, making it one of the longer-lasting lizard repellents on the market. It comes in a 32-ounce spray bottle, enough to cover 240 square feet, and 1-gallon refill bottles. In addition to lizards, Iguana-Rid will also drive away other pests, including raccoons, geese, and squirrels. Product Specs Pros ConsBest Spray
While this pest repeller from MaxMoxie might have been made with mice in mind, it will also get rid of lizards that have found their way indoors. Similar to other ultrasonic repellents, it emits a high-pitched noise that's irritating to lizards (along with a whole host of other animals), sending them packing. What makes this such a great option for indoor use is that it uses no harmful chemicals or pungent odors that make other repellents unsuitable for indoor use. To use, simply plug into an outlet to activate the unit. Lizards, along with other pests, should begin vacating their homes in the cracks, crevices, and other dark places of the house in about 2 to 3 weeks. This pack includes two repellers, each of which lasts between 3 and 5 years. Product Specs Pros ConsBest Indoor
Our Verdict
With its use of pungent mothballs and sulfur, Snake-a-Way Snake Repelling Granules is the most effective way to combat lizards (and snakes). Those looking for a repellent that's safe for indoor use should consider the MaxMoxie Ultrasonic Pest Repeller, which repels pests using high-pitch sound.
How We Chose the Best Lizard Repellents
While there are plenty of repellents for more common pests such as mice and insects, finding a repellent that can effectively ward off lizards is more of a challenge. That's why we stuck with repellents that use tried-and-true methods. We only selected outdoor repellents that use scent from powerful active ingredients such as naphthalene and sulfur for highest ranking. For natural scent-based repellents suitable for indoor use, we only chose products that use essential oils. We also included scentless ultrasonic repellers, which are an effective, non-chemical means of eradicating lizards in the home. In addition to type and ingredients, we also considered ease of use, leaning toward products that did not require any additional tools beyond the product's container for application.
FAQs
If you're wondering what smells lizards can't stand or how ultrasonic lizard repellents work, then read on for answers to these and other common questions regarding these pest control products.
Q. What smells do lizards hate?
Lizards hate the strong odors put off by such substances as naphthalene, sulfur, garlic, peppermint, and other essential oils.
Q. Do ultrasonic lizard repellents work?
They can be effective but must be used wisely. Place them in a room where there is lizard activity and make sure not to position them behind furniture, which can block the signal. Keep in mind that they will only work for one room, as the ultrasonic sound cannot penetrate walls.
Q. How do you keep lizards from getting into your home?
Use a granule product and distribute it in a circle around the home. This will keep lizards away from the foundation of the house. You can also place garlic cloves, mothballs, or coffee grounds around the exterior of the house.
Q. Are repellents for lizards dangerous to pets or children?
Mothballs, which are made of naphthalene, are dangerous if ingested or if too much of the fumes they produce are inhaled, so they are only suitable for outdoor use. Alternatively, repellents made from essential oils are not dangerous to pets or children when used as directed.
Q. Do mothballs repel lizards?
Since mothballs are made of naphthalene, which irritates lizards' olfactory senses, they do repel these pests.
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