Whether it's a house friend of yours or an unwanted guest, you may have a free-roaming lizard in your home and need to find a safe and humane way to catch it. Lizards tend to hide when they are frightened; in that case, you'll need to find it first. Once you find it, put it in a box. If she is domestic, she will have to go back to her cage; if it's wild, take it out and free it. If it is very large or you are facing a real infestation, you can always call a pest control company to fix the problem.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Lizard
Step 1. Close the room you last saw it in
Close all doors and windows so he can't escape. You could also block the opening under the door with a towel, to make sure it doesn't slip out of your way.
Step 2. Check for dark and confined spaces
Lizards often like to hide in small or covered places. Look under sofas, chairs, desks, bookcases or tables. Other places it might hide are closets, air vents, baseboards, pillows, and plant pots.
- You may need a flashlight to check the darkest spots well.
- They often hide behind objects hanging on the wall, such as paintings.
Step 3. Keep other animals away
If you have pets, the lizard will likely hide from them. Keep your dog or cat in another room until you have captured it.
Alternatively, if you have a cat, you could leave it to him to track down the lizard. Keep in mind, though, that it would most likely end up killing her; you should therefore only consider this option if the lizard is wild
Step 4. Turn off all lights
He might come out of hiding if he thinks it's night outside. Close all curtains and blinds to block out sunlight; you can use the flashlight to see. The lizard should come out within half an hour.
Step 5. Wait until it comes out
He will only do this if he feels safe. If you can't figure out where she's hiding, prepare what you need to capture her and keep her handy to be ready when she appears.
If you can't find it and it is wild, it may be easier to chase it away using some homemade method, such as egg shells or mothballs
Part 2 of 3: Capturing the Lizard
Step 1. Find a container to trap it in
Common lizards are 15 cm long on average, including the tail. A small box, large jar or bowl can be ideal for catching them.
Step 2. Approach slowly
If you frighten her, she will run back to her hiding place, so make your way towards her very slowly. If it starts to move, stop and stay still for a few seconds until it calms down.
Step 3. Make it fit into the box
If she has climbed a wall, use a magazine or a sheet of paper to direct her towards the container; if it's on the floor, use a broom or ruler. In most cases, he will slip into the vessel of his own free will, as he will think it is a safe place.
- Try not to touch it with the object you use to make it move. Move it near the lizard to make it escape to the box, but don't hit it.
- Do not try to catch it with your hands, as it may lose its tail; it might even bite you.
Step 4. Sprinkle cold water on her if she keeps running away
If it just doesn't want to go into the box, try spraying it with cold water - it can slow it down or even immobilize it for a minute or two, and you can trap it by covering it with the container.
Step 5. Slide a piece of cardboard or paper under the box
Once the lizard is inside, you can trap it inside by completely closing the opening of the container with cardboard or a sheet of paper. Keep it locked inside until you release it outside or take it back to the cage.
Part 3 of 3: Freeing a Wild Lizard
Step 1. Take her out
You should free it in a green area. Do not leave it near the house, or it may re-enter immediately; move away at least a few meters.
Step 2. Open the container
Bring the box close to the ground and remove the piece of paper or cardboard you used to close it. The lizard should run outside; if he doesn't, leave the box and walk away for a few minutes - he may only make up his mind to go out once you're gone.
You can also turn the container upside down to get it out, but make sure you keep it very close to the ground and take it slow
Step 3. Don't keep a wild lizard as a pet
It wouldn't live well in a cage or terrarium. It belongs to the wild and the most humane way to treat it is to allow it to return to its habitat.
Step 4. Contact a pest control service if there is an invasion of lizards
Someone will come to check the house to identify the points from which they entered and eliminate them. Look for a company that deals with reptile pest control.
Calling pest control is a good idea even if there is a very large free lizard in the house
Advice
- Lizards are usually very friendly animals. If you leave one in the house, it will rid you of insects and other pests.
- You can also use sticky traps to catch her, but they would kill her slowly. It is considered a cruel method.
- Lizards often manage to enter the home through small crevices near doors, windows and gutters. Make sure you seal them so the lizards can't get in anymore.
Warnings
- If it feels threatened or trapped, even a pet lizard can bite. Most lizards are not poisonous, but a bite of them can still hurt. Avoid touching or grabbing it.
- Do not grab it by the tail, as it may come off.
