Citronella is a common natural and effective essential oil that works against mosquitoes. Now, theres a long line of essential oils that can be used for pest control. 9 Repellent Essential Oils To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes, Uses Of Lavender Essential Oil In Pest Control, Tea Tree Oil For Mosquitoes - Pros, Cons, Repellent Recipe &, 3 Yellow Fly Repellent Options For Humans, citronella oil is also an excellent remedy for mosquitoes. This may be a task too big for the average homeowner as well, and calling a professional will provide a complete solution to lizard-proofing your home. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 2. But you don't have to distill it to reap the bug repellent benefits. Homemade Snake Repellent. Like most essential oils, this is a non-toxic natural product that can be used for lizard control. Eucalyptus is another effective essential oil that is incredibly effective at keeping most species of reptiles at bay. While it provides a repellent effect on lizards and other pests, it also doubles as a useful aromatherapy solution. Plus, you get to enjoy its many health benefits. In fact, Citronella is often used to repel many other pests as well. 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. 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. Peppermint and anything else minty is caused by the chemical menthol- a powerful scent most pests cannot stand. 4. Nawi, M., Ishak, M., Rosli, M., Ayub, M., Khor, C., Ahmad Termizi, S., & Ishak, N. (2020). Practicing good hygiene and cleaning is the best prevention method in case a lizard does make it inside! Birds are the natural predators of most lizards. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. of water. Flypaper - Sticky flypapers are as good as trapping lizards as they are at trapping flies. 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. Essential oils may just be what you need to take back your home. It is certainly very difficult to get rid of geckos from high ceilings. Essential oils have been successfully used for a variety of lizard control issues. Cuteness may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. If these little lizards disgust you and simply must go . Citronella is a well-known mosquito repellent. essential oils can serve your lizard repellent needs. However, research has shown that this mosquito repellent plant is actually ineffective. However, it is also found to be useful in deterring insects like: Flies Ticks Ants Gnats Where to find lizards around the home? Both plants give off a smell that snakes not only dislike, but it also confuses them. It is found in many familiar insect repellent products: candles, lotions, gels, sprays and towelette wipes. Taking advantage of its repellent properties, all you have to do is get some peppermint essential oil and dilute it with water in a spray bottle. Now, spray onto walls or other areas where lizards often visit. For longer lasting protection or when in areas at risk from serious mosquito borne diseases, chemicals such as DEET offer better protection. Luckily for me, Vito isnt the biggest pest in my life. It is however not suitable for large open areas with free-flowing air as the scent gets dispersed quite quickly and might not be strong enough to repel the insects. The Verdict. Fitzwater, W. (1974). We do not condone any individuals putting themselves or their homes at risk by taking any extreme measures towards keeping lizards away. It helps to remove clutter around the exterior of your home, like fallen brush and debris, since this eliminates their hiding places. While eucalyptus may be a scent that lizards hate, this is a great essential oil to keep around to serve multiple purposes with relaxing and medicinal properties for people and is used worldwide. This method may not be available to everyone, but if you have the option to cool your house into the low 60s even for a few days, this may work to drive out the lizards making your home their own. That's my buddy, Vito. This one is also easy to know when to reapply the scent- when the oil diffuser stops, you can refill it easily. Thankfully, there are many ways to deter lizards from certain areas simply by using certain smells that they hate. Experts are going to have many more tools and techniques at their disposal than the average person, and calling pest control to take care of a lizard problem might be your best bet. These oils can be used in a diffuser or added to a spray bottle of water and sprayed around the perimeter of your home. A bug zapper or set of sticky traps can also be useful for warding off insects near your porch or patio. A few of these include aphids, fleas, caterpillars, beetles, flies, moths, lice, mice, etc. This question often arises because most lizard species are harmless. Cutting down on food sources for lizards is one of the best ways to keep them out of a certain area. Some of the most commonly used oils include peppermint, citrus, and eucalyptus. References. Put two lemon slices and two lime slices on to of the rosemary. Herpetophobia is the fear of reptiles and is one of the most common phobias in the world, and for good reason. So, how do you go about using it? Simply spray your eucalyptus oil solution onto areas youve noticed their presence. Society garlic is an ideal example. Of course, there is only so much that the average person can do without investing significant time and energy, so calling a professional may be needed in extreme cases. Other Anti-Snake Plants Yes, it does, and dealing with rubbing oil on your skin can be much easier than crushing leaves and hoping that that works for you. Please consult a pest control professional before applying any tactics from pestpointers.com. They are used in a variety of ways, including for fragrance, cosmetics, and as natural remedies. Slice the lemon and lime into inch slices. The Citronella solution should be 20 drops citronella oil diluted into 200ml of water or about one fourth citronella oil to water. If the idea of letting a cat catch and kill geckos doesnt sit well with you, you may be better off going with a non-lethal option. Keep your doors and windows shut. Citronella will also repel mosquitos, which are an insect that most people would not miss. Ask a veterinarian what cleaners are safe to use around geckos--many recommend chlorhexidine. Citronella plants themselves won't repel insects; it's only once the oils are extracted that they will be effective. When contemplating how to care for citronella plants in pots, start them out in 4- to 6-inch containersor whatever diameter. Chlorhexidine is an all-purpose cleaner that will not harm geckos, other animals or you. You can contact pest control services in your area (or wildlife) to choose the ones best suited for the job. They are hardy perennials in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 10. Over time, showerheads can become clogged with deposits of calcium, magnesium, lime, silica, and other minerals. Simply placing a few drops of lavender essential oil as per the manufacturers instructions will create an aroma thatll spread in a designated area and discourage critters. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Your lemongrass oil treatment will need to be reapplied over affected areas once the smell wanes. Learn more Citronella oil is an essential oil which is made from a variety of Lemon Grass named Cymbopogon. The terpene expression in these plants is perfect for creating scents that are relaxing to humans and perfect for keeping reptiles and other creepy crawlies out. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. Some essential oils are thought to have snake-repelling properties, and they may be effective at keeping geckos away as well. This method will work for any of the essential oils mentioned previously in this article so you can shake it up if you tire of one scent in particular. If you have geckos ( Hemidactylus spp.) Generally, the negative potential of diseases they carry outweighs the positive. If you typically rely on. Can I put citronella oil in water when I wash the floor? If the bugs are really bad, throw a few sprigs of rosemary on the grill and the aromatic smoke will help drive the mosquitoes away. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. To keep dogs from digging up or otherwise disturbing certain plants, cover the ground around them with chunks of mulch or pebbles, as dogs . To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Community Q&A Search Add New Question Question How to repel geckos naturally from high ceilings? One of its most distinguishing characteristics is that, in addition to being successful, it is also an affordable, effective, and risk-free [] Keep an eye out for signs that there may be geckos living and reproducing around your home, like shed skins and small, leathery egg casings. [2] Hot sauce and cayenne pepper have a lot of capsaicin, which is the compound that makes them spicy. So, you only need to target lizard-infested areas of your home for application. By using any of these, youre able to keep your home safe while also benefitting from the many health benefits of essential oils. Geckos can die from ingesting these cleaning products or shavings. Try posting a housecat as a guard to chase off invaders that manage to slip by. These include antifungal properties, antibacterial properties, serving as an antioxidant, prevention gastric ulcers, relief for nausea, eases diarrhea among several others. Setting up a sprinkler system in your lawn may also deter them from coming near your home. Citronella Essential Oil Apart from repelling lizards, citronella oil is also an excellent remedy for mosquitoes, fleas, cockroaches, ticks and so many other pests. You can rub the oil on the plant skin and deter the flies from the surroundings. However, they can cause side effects, such as rashes, skin irritation, and headaches. On the plus side, they are natural and can be used to treat a wide variety of issues. Research has confirmed the effectiveness of citronella in repelling mosquitoes for short periods. REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS MANAGEMENT DILEMMA. Mothballs may discourage geckos from finding their way into tighter spaces like closets and cupboards. Some plants that are used for their scents in essential oils and other solutions also are great to plant in and around the house to further repel lizards. This helps in wound disinfection, clearing your chest, controlling blood sugar, soothes cold sores, and freshens your breath. 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. Geckos dont bite or claw, but they do sometimes carry infectious bacteria and diseases like salmonella. Rabbits. Citronella is toxic to pets. But while the oil of citronella does repel mosquitoes to some degree, "in the amount and concentration that is put out via candles, it's not very effective," says Joseph Conlon, a technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals and the ambient temperature has a massive effect on them, as it is how they generate energy. negative potential of diseases they carry outweighs the positive, Mighty Mints Peppermint Oil Insect & Pest Control Spray, this one about using houseplants to prevent flies. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Lizards are often attracted to electronics because of the warmth they generate and may end up touching just the wrong spot. Azaleas are fatal. Don't forget to keep your doors and windows shut so they can't get inside! You can use citronella incense sticks or coils meant for camping and outdoor use. This can include black pepper, chili powder, cayenne, and even plain ol hot sauce. The first option is to mix the oils in a little bit of salt first, and then dissolve the salt in 2oz. Following the tips below, you will be able to effectively repel lizards from anywhere they dont belong. Be sure to check with local laws if you plan to use anything more intense than the recommendations on this list. Essential oils to consider for your lizard control needs include citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemongrass essential oils. Otherwise, theyll soon begin to smell and may become a health hazard. Citronella oil is a natural insect repellent obtained from lemon grass; it is an ingredient in repellent sprays, both homemade and commercial. 2. Are there any natural alternatives to using essential oils? If you live in a warm climate, you may keep pet geckos--or they may just invite themselves into your home. Most people cannot stand reptiles and having them in your home can be a big no-no. This strong lemon scented oil can be extracted, brought home, and used to make your dog very unhappy. 7. These include cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, and peppermint oil. This article has been viewed 26,786 times. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Citronella, an essential oil extracted from grasses in the Cymbopogon family, helps repel bugs largely thanks to the way it masks the scent of people. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science And Engineering, 743(1), 012010. Onions can be sliced and dispersed similarly, and both can be mixed into a spray to leave only the scent and not little bits of food scattered throughout your home. This process should be repeated whenever the scent wanes. Lizards detest the smell of eucalyptus and will keep as far away as possible. Citronella has long been considered a natural mosquito repellant, but just because it's natural doesn't mean it is safe. Required fields are marked *. TheUniversity of California IPMprogram recommends sealing up any gaps larger than inch might be a necessary step to cut down on the number of lizards in your home. Using coffee grounds as bug repellents is a very unknown hack, but it works like a charm every time. How to Make the Citronella Solution. Wearable mosquito control is no exception. Step 5 Set traps to reduce insect pest populations. While these methods are usually effective, they are most effective in combination with other methods of deterring lizards, such as eliminating their food source or closing gaps. For tips on using diluted pepper spray, read on! Vinegar has a wide variety of uses, from cleaning to cooking to pest control. 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