If you have lost a pet lizard or one has invaded your home, you need to catch it safely and gently. They tend to hide when they're scared, giving you the trouble to find them. Once you've done that, manipulate it into a box, which won't be so difficult if it's a pet, as it will already be used to being in the cage. However, if it's wild, you'll need to get it out there. Of course, if it's a hell of a lizard or there are many around, call a professional to do the job.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Animal
Step 1. Close the room where you last saw him
The animal cannot escape if the doors and windows are closed; depending on its size, it may be necessary to cover the space under the doors with towels.
Step 2. Look for him in dark, closed places
Lizards like to stay indoors and small: make sure it's not under the sofa, tables, chairs, desks, shelves, cabinets, pipes, baseboards, pillows and potted plants.
- To see in such places, you may need a flashlight.
- The animal may also be hiding behind items hanging on the walls (such as portraits).
Step 3. Keep other animals in other rooms
In the presence of other animals, the reptile will hide. So keep the cats and dogs somewhere else until you get the naughty one.
Another option is to let the cat hunt you, but in that case, know that the feline will kill you, and this is only a good option if the reptile is not a pet
Step 4. Turn off all lights
The lizard can come out of hiding if it thinks it's dark. Close any blinds or curtains to block out the sun and have a flashlight handy. In half an hour, you should find him.
Step 5. Wait until he leaves
The reptile will only come out when it thinks it is safe; if you don't see it, wait with the materials you'll use to capture it by hand.
If you can't find it, it might be easier to repel it with eggshells, mothballs, and other household products
Part 2 of 3: Capturing the Animal
Step 1. Find a catch container
Most domestic geckos are between 5 cm and 8 cm. Any old food packaging (such as margarine or yogurt jars) will suffice.
Step 2. Approach slowly
If you scare him, he'll go back to hiding. So walk calmly towards it. If the animal starts to move, stop moving for a few seconds until it calms down.
Step 3. Attach it to the box
If the lizard is on the wall, use a magazine or piece of paper to push it into the container; if it's on the floor, use a carpenter's broom or ruler. Naturally, he must run and enter the container, thinking it is safe.
- Try not to touch it with the object; just threaten to make the animal run in the desired direction, but without crashing.
- Do not threaten or catch it with your bare hands, as this may cause the tail to fall off or bite you.
Step 4. If he tries to run away, splash ice water
If the reptile does not enter the container for anything in this world, pour ice water over its body. This will slow it down or even stand still for a minute or two, giving you time to put it in the box.
Step 5. Place a piece of cardboard or paper over the container
With the lizard inside, just cover the opening with paper or cardboard and release it, either outside or inside the cage.
Part 3 of 3: Releasing the lizard in the wild
Step 1. Take him outside
It's important to actually release it into the wild, and not on the side of the house or the front door (or it will come in again). Therefore, step away from the property a few meters.
Step 2. Remove the cover
Place the box close to the floor and remove the cardboard or paper cover. Naturally, the animal must leave; otherwise, step back and leave things as they are for a few minutes. It's also possible that he only feels comfortable going out when you're not there.
You can also trick it out with your fingers, as long as it's close to the ground
Step 3. Don't try to tame a wild animal
He won't do well in the cage or in the aquarium; it is a wild animal, and must be released into the wild in a human way.
Step 4. If you are dealing with an infestation, call a pest control company
Someone from the company will eliminate them as possible. First of all, call the insecticide and ask if they handle these reptiles.
This option is also relevant if the attacker is very large
Tips
- Lizards are usually friendly, and if you decide to let them indoors, they will eat certain parasites and insects.
- You can also buy a glue trap, but they are not considered human as they kill the animal slowly.
- Usually, geckos enter through small holes near doors, windows and gutters. Make sure these places are tightly closed to prevent lizards from entering your home.
Notices
- If they feel cornered or threatened, even pet lizards can bite. No, there is no poison, but it will hurt. So don't try to touch it directly.
- Do not pull on its tail as the limb may fall out.