When the monsoon rains hit, the drop in temperature and rise in humidity drive all sorts of bugs out of the ground. For common wall lizards, this translates to an absolute all-you-can-eat buffet of flies, mosquitoes, and winged insects. As a result, you might find a sudden surge of these uninvited reptiles lurking around your window sills and ceilings. If the sight of them scurrying across your walls makes you uncomfortable, you don’t need to resort to harsh chemical sprays. You can easily fortify your house using basic kitchen ingredients. Here are five simple and highly effective home tips to keep lizards away this monsoon season.

How To Keep Lizards Away During Monsoon: 5 Simple And Effective Home Tips

Lizards are naturally attracted to warm spaces with a steady food supply. By targeting their senses, specifically their acute sense of smell, you can make your living space highly inhospitable for them.

1. The Pungent Garlic And Onion Shield

Lizards really hate strong volatile smells. Onions and garlic have sulfur-based components which release a strong smell, and they immediately make lizards dizzy, and they flee from such an environment. Chop some fresh onions or place garlic cloves near points of entrance, window screens, and exhaust vents. As an alternative, make a mixture of onions and garlic with water and put it in a spray can.

2. Homemade Spicy Pepper Spray

Chemical spray solutions sold commercially can harm your children and pets; however, a homemade spicy mixture can be equally effective. The spices will irritate the skin of the lizards and make them run away from that place. You need to take some black pepper powder, chilli flakes or red chilli powder and put it in a bottle of warm water. Then shake it well and use this solution to spray in the corners of walls, under the sofa and on doors.

3. Strategically Placed Eggshells

This is an old trick that has worked quite well over time. Lizards consider empty eggshells a psychological menace to their safety. This is because of the lingering scent left behind by the egg, which makes them believe that there is a bigger bird or predator around, thus making them flee. Wipe the empty eggshells clean and place them on conspicuous areas such as countertops, windows, and near lights. Do this every week.

4. The Ice-Cold Water Shock

Lizards are reptiles which depend on their surroundings for warmth and energy. Any drop in the temperature around them disorients them instantly. In case you spot a lizard on the wall and need to catch and remove it without injuring it, cold water is your perfect weapon. Always keep a spray bottle full of icy water at hand. On seeing a lizard, simply spray it. The chilly temperature will momentarily paralyse the lizard, making it easy for you to sweep it out of the way using a dustpan.

5. Harness The Power Of Lemongrass And Essential Oils

For lizard repellent which will leave your house smelling wonderful, use essential oils. Lemongrass, peppermint, and citronella oils have natural elements which will not only keep lizards away but also deter the insects they prey on. Mix 10-15 drops of lemongrass or peppermint essential oil in a cup of water and spray all over your house. Essential oils can also be used on cotton balls and placed behind electronics and in cupboards.

Image credits: Freepik

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