Geckos are small lizards that are found in warm climates around the world. While they typically live outdoors, geckos will sometimes find their way into homes, especially in the summertime. There are a few main reasons why geckos may enter houses and build up large populations if not controlled.
Geckos are attracted to food sources, warmth, moisture, and hiding places that they can find inside homes. Cracks, crevices, attics, and garages provide perfect harborage sites for geckos. Since geckos are such successful predators that can thrive on small insects, they have adapted well to living in proximity to humans.
Understanding what attracts geckos into homes can help homeowners prevent and control infestations. Simple exclusion and sanitation measures can make a home much less appealing to geckos looking for food and shelter.
What Attracts Geckos Inside?
There are four main things that will attract geckos into homes:
– Food sources like insects and spiders
– Warm temperatures
– Moisture
– Hiding spots and harborage
Geckos are drawn into homes by the promise of abundant food, water, and shelter. Homes tend to have higher temperatures than the ambient outdoor environment, attracting geckos seeking warmth. Leaky faucets, moist basements, and damp crawlspaces provide moisture that geckos need. And homes offer endless cracks, crevices, and clutter that geckos use for nesting and hiding.
When geckos find their ideal environment inside a home, they will thrive and reproduce quickly. A single pregnant female gecko can lead to an infestation over the course of one summer. Population numbers can rapidly get out of hand.
Food Attractants
Geckos are insectivores, meaning they eat insects and other arthropods like spiders. They have exceptional eyesight adapted for hunting small prey at night. Common gecko food sources include:
– Flies
– Mosquitos
– Moths
– Crickets
– Silverfish
– Spiders
– Scorpions
– Cockroaches
– Mealworms
– Other small insects and invertebrates
Geckos are naturally skilled predators of household pests like flies, spiders, and cockroaches. This means homes with existing insect infestations are at even greater risk for attracting geckos from the surrounding environment.
Outdoor geckos can detect the scent of prey within homes. Once inside, they will continuously feed on whatever insects they find. Access to plentiful food allows populations to grow rapidly.
Removing insect and spider infestations is key to preventing geckos from entering and surviving within the home. Cracks and crevices where bugs are harboring must be sealed. Any entry points for insects from outdoors should be blocked. Screens should be installed over vents, chimneys, and exhaust fans.
Implementing thorough sanitation measures will eliminate gecko food sources inside the home:
– Store food in sealed containers
– Clean up crumbs and spills
– Keep trash bins covered
– Remove pet food dishes after feeding
– Fix leaky pipes and drains
Starving out geckos is an effective control method. With no food available, geckos will leave premises in search of better options.
Heat Attractants
Geckos are cold-blooded reptiles. This means they rely on external temperatures to regulate their body heat. Geckos need access to warm environments in order to raise their body temperature high enough to be active and digest food.
Homes provide pockets of higher temperatures that geckos find extremely attractive, especially in comparison to cooler outdoor temperatures at night. Geckos want to be active at night when hunting for insect prey under darkness. So they seek out the warmest niches they can find inside homes.
Specific areas that tend to be warmer than ambient temperatures include:
– Attics
– Wall voids
– Around appliances like refrigerators and televisions
– Near HVAC vents
– Behind ovens and other kitchen appliances
– Inside garages
Geckos identify these warm zones and congregate there after entering homes. Higher temperatures allow geckos to thrive and breed faster. Cooler temperatures can slow down activity and reproduction.
To make the home less attractive, identify areas of excessive warmth attractive to geckos. Turning down thermostats, adding insulation, and eliminating hot spots can help make conditions less ideal. Cooling temperatures 5-10 °F inside garages and crawlspaces goes a long way.
Moisture Attractants
Geckos need access to fresh water in order to survive. While they get some moisture from food, geckos still seek out damp areas. Homes often provide pockets of higher humidity that attract geckos.
Specific areas geckos key in on for moisture:
– Bathrooms
– Basements
– Crawlspaces
– Attics with roof or pipe leaks
– Around plumbing fixtures
– Sinks, showers, and tubs
– Inside meter boxes
– Around condenser units and HVAC systems
– Areas with poor drainage or leaks
Fixing leaks and improving ventilation and airflow can lower humidity levels. Sealing cracks and holes helps prevent moist outdoor air from entering. Dehumidifiers can be installed in basements or crawlspaces if excessive moisture is an issue.
Removing sources of water eliminates an important attractant. Geckos search less in drier areas. Keeping things clean and dry goes a long way to preventing infestations.
Harborage Attractants
Geckos love tight, confined spaces that provide safety and shelter. They actively search for harborage sites with cracks, holes, and voids to enter and hide within. Specific places geckos seek refuge:
– Attics
– Wall voids
– Crawlspaces
– Garages and sheds
– Under appliances
– Behind furniture and stored items
– Inside boxes and containers
– Within piles of clutter
– Inside rolled up linens or towels
– Between books and papers
– Under beds and cushions
– Within potted plants
Geckos only need tiny cracks and crevices to squeeze into and nest. They prefer tight spaces that keep them hidden and provide insulation.
Sealing up access points is key for exclusion. Cracks and holes both on interior and exterior walls must be sealed. Weatherstripping helps close up entryways like gaps under doors. Screens can be added to vents, chimneys, soffits, and exhaust fans.
Clutter removal also goes a long way. Geckos search less often in open, decluttered spaces. Eliminate piles of stuff for geckos to hide under. Clean garages and attics regularly. Store items in sealed bins and containers. Changing their environment this way encourages geckos to look elsewhere for harborage.
Preventing Gecko Entry
While geckos are master intruders, there are ways homeowners can deter entry and re-entry:
– Install door sweeps and weatherstripping to seal gaps under doors and around windows
– Screen off vents, chimneys, soffits, attic vents, and exhaust fan openings using fine steel mesh
– Seal cracks wider than 1/8″ with caulk or expanding foam sealant
– Trim back vegetation touching the home’s exterior
– Use yellow bug lights at entrances rather than bright white lights that attract bugs (and geckos!)
– Keep pet food put away and promptly clean up any spills or crumbs
– Install tight-fitting lids on trash bins and keep them free of debris
– Fix leaky pipes, clean up standing water, and repair other moisture problems
– Remove stacks of firewood and construction materials stored near the foundation
– Declutter attics, basements, garages, and sheds to eliminate hiding spots
– Set up sticky traps or insect monitors to alert you to any pest buildups
Being proactive helps deny geckos easy entry points into your living spaces. Ongoing pest management and exclusion repairs should be part of regular home maintenance.
Catching and Removing Geckos
If geckos have already gained access, the best approach is trapping and removing them. Low-impact removal is preferable to poisoning or killing geckos. Some options include:
Sticky Traps: Non-toxic glue traps placed along walls or in gecko high-traffic areas
Humane Traps: Small cages with no-escape openings and bait inside
Hand Catching: Wearing thick gloves to manually capture geckos
Vacuuming: Carefully sucking up geckos hiding in cracks using a handheld vacuum
Once caught, geckos should be released at least 50 yards away from the home on the opposite side any roads or impermeable barriers. This prevents immediate re-entry. Ongoing trapping is needed until all signs of gecko activity within the home cease.
For safety, only trap geckos during the day when they are slow and sluggish. Never grab or touch geckos with bare hands. Their skin can detach easily. The writhing motion when restrained may also cause tails to break off.
After thoroughly clearing all geckos from the premises, take action to prevent re-infestation by sealing, screening, and making the home less attractive. Monitor for signs like fecal droppings to ensure removal was successful. Act quickly if new geckos are spotted.
Why Control Geckos?
While generally harmless, there are some downsides to allowing geckos to freely populate inside homes including:
– Gecko droppings and shedding can create a mess
– Geckos may emit a mild musky odor
– They can make scratching noises within walls and ceilings
– Geckos may contribute to insect infestations by transporting eggs
– Large populations support allergens and spread bacteria
– Geckos can short out electrical devices and wiring
– Some species like tokays may bite if threatened
– Homeowners insurance may not cover damages related to geckos
For these reasons, it is usually better to exclude and control geckos rather than allow populations to breed freely within the home. Their secretive nature means populations often grow much larger than homeowners realize.
Being proactive when spotting the first new gecko inside will help prevent major headaches down the road. Addressing what attracts them, improving the home environment, and consistent trapping is the best approach for successful control.
Common House Gecko Species
There are a few types of gecko species most often encountered within homes:
Mediterranean House Gecko
- Most widespread house gecko
- Native to the Mediterranean region
- Light brown with dark spots and bands
- Grows up to 5 inches long
- Feeds on insects and spiders
- Makes chirping “gecko gecko” call
Common House Gecko
- Also called Asian house gecko
- Native to South and Southeast Asia
- Pale tan or grey color
- Grows up to 5 inches long
- Feeds on small insects
- Vocalizes with chirps and croaks
Indo-Pacific Gecko
- Native to Southeast Asia and India
- Yellowish-brown with dark bands and spots
- Grows up to 8 inches long
- Nocturnal hunter of insects, lizards, and rodents
- Aggressive disposition with readiness to bite
There are over 1,500 species of geckos worldwide. Only a few have adapted well to living in close proximity to humans. These synanthropic species make up the geckos most often encountered within homes seeking refuge and food.
Risk Factors for Gecko Infestation
Certain conditions make a home more prone to infestation if geckos enter:
– Nearby established outdoor gecko populations
– Abundant insect or spider activity within home
– Access to moisture from leaks, floods, or high humidity
– Availability of warm harborage spots and temperatures over 75°F
– Plentiful cracks, holes, or other entry points for geckos
– Lack of door sweeps, screens, and other exclusion measures
– Clutter and debris that creates hiding spots
– Pet food, trash, and other food spills left out
– Nighttime lighting that attracts insects
– Previous live plant or building material deliveries containing gecko eggs
– Nearby commercial activity and bright night lighting
– Lack of home maintenance and sealing of entry points
Risk is highest in subtropical climates where geckos live abundantly outdoors. But modern energy-efficient homes can be prone even in cooler climates.
Awareness and proactive prevention helps avoid infestations in high-risk situations. Careful inspection and monitoring can turn up geckos before they become established.
Conclusion
Geckos are highly adaptable lizards that can thrive living in close contact with human homes. They exploit the abundant food, warmth, moisture, and harborage that homes unintentionally provide.
Blocking access, removing attractants, and proactive trapping are key to preventing infestations. While harmless, large gecko populations can become a nuisance with their droppings, sounds, and damage.
Their secretive nature means homeowners must be alert to the signs of gecko presence. Swift action when the first gecko is observed can help avoid major headaches down the road. Ongoing vigilance and maintenance helps deny geckos entry and habitat within homes.
| Gecko Species | Native Region | Color | Size | Food Sources | Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean House Gecko | Mediterranean region | Light brown with spots | Up to 5 inches | Insects, spiders | Makes “gecko gecko” call |
| Common House Gecko | South/Southeast Asia | Pale tan or grey | Up to 5 inches | Small insects | Chirps and croaks |
| Indo-Pacific Gecko | Southeast Asia, India | Yellowish-brown bands | Up to 8 inches | Insects, lizards, rodents | Aggressive, may bite |
