Most of these methods are based on natural smells and use non-poisonous ingredients that are environmentally friendly. The first option is to mix the oils in a little bit of salt first, and then dissolve the salt in 2oz. It will also prevent them from reproducing and only making the problem worse. The Citronella solution should be 20 drops citronella oil diluted into 200ml of water or about one fourth citronella oil to water. However, vinegar does come with a drawback- most people do not find this smell as relaxing as other scents on this list. Burn citronella oil, incense, or sandalwood to repel swarms of insects in the summertime. But while they are pretty and pleasantly scented, studies have shown them ineffective in repelling mosquitos. Both plants give off a smell that snakes not only dislike, but it also confuses them. Pine-Sol is a fantastic cleaning product that doubles as a great way to keep lizards away. The National Pesticide Information Center describes oil of citronella as an effective repellent of insects. Ask a veterinarian what cleaners are safe to use around geckos--many recommend chlorhexidine. Citronella oil has different uses, but the best way to utilize this material is to use it on your skin to repel mosquitoes and other flies. Tammy Slater is the founder of arew.org, a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike. With kitchens being a warm and humid area in the house, it is not unlikely that lizards find their way into food and cooking supplies. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. 8 This one is also easy to know when to reapply the scent- when the oil diffuser stops, you can refill it easily. Remedy any standing water or really moist areas. This oil has a characteristic citrus smell that lizards detest. This should be shaken to ensure it mixes properly. Spray it on and around where you don't want birds to nest, and it will keep them at bay. Just hearing the word can elicit a range of, Read More 9 Insects That Eat Roaches (Common Predators)Continue, Woodchucks, surprisingly, are the largest animal within the squirrel family and can be found throughout different areas of North America. 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. Go dark. This article has been viewed 41,432 times. Citronella is probably most famously known as a mosquito repellant, and both are equally effective at keeping lizards away. The citronella geranium has lacy green leaves and purple, pink or white colored blooms. Lemongrass and citronella are two plants that typically grow well in climates where lizards thrive and can serve as an attractive and natural option. However, there is only so much this fragrant oil can do to keep mosquitos at bay. However, there are some anecdotal reports of people using essential oils to repell snakes and geckos successfully. Mosquito Plant. A solution is made by adding a few drops of lemongrass essential oil to water. The occasional lizard sighting doesnt constitute an infestation, and is usually nothing to worry about. Below we will answer why and how to keep lizards away to find the best solution for you lets get to it! Now, lizards are known to frequent walls and other surfaces. One of its most distinguishing characteristics is that, in addition to being successful, it is also an affordable, effective, and risk-free [] Garlic and onion scents are overwhelming for a lizards powerful sense of smell and naturally, they will choose to avoid them. Instead of planting citronella to repel mosquitoes, try dog-friendly mosquito repellent plants that won't harm dogs, like basil, lemon balm, rosemary, and catnip. Cleaning with bleach and other strong chemicals, including Lysol, Pine-Sol and Spic-n-Span, can be hazardous to these cute little lizards. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Basil ( Ocimum basilicum) is a culinary herb that does double duty by repelling flies and mosquitoes, too. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. There are three main ways that essential oils can be used: -Aromatherapy: This is when the oil is diffused into the air so that you can breathe it in. Some gardeners swear that it works, but studies have found that it doesn't. Even if you plant a whole garden full of citronella plants, it still won't be enough to have a repellant effect on mosquitoes. Plus, you get to enjoy its many health benefits. 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. Onion & Garlic. Then, take steps to prevent them from coming back. Using it as a smell that repels birds is best used when it is mixed with a little water or vinegar. When used properly, essential oils can provide a wide range of benefits. While most humans don't mind the light citrus scent, mosquitoes reportedly hate it, so citronella is used in a variety of products like candles and wristbands and sprays. Its important that the water be room temperature or colderany warmer and it might not be unpleasant enough to be an effective repellent. Citronella oil gets added to bug repellants, candles, and sprays as a means to keep bugs away. It is found in many familiar insect repellent products: candles, lotions, gels, sprays and towelette wipes. Lizards are small and able to sneak into places they do not belong. This can include black pepper, chili powder, cayenne, and even plain ol hot sauce. Citronella is a common natural and effective essential oil that works against mosquitoes. As a predator that feeds almost exclusively on insects, lizards have no interest in being somewhere without easy access to food. These include cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, and peppermint oil. Lizards and other reptiles are very effective at pest control, including insects and small animals that may be a problem, but they may become a pest when they infest homes and properties. Information shared from an EPA senior biologist notes that lizards themselves are rarely dangerous and have positive potential. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. A few of these include aphids, fleas, caterpillars, beetles, flies, moths, lice, mice, etc. Use caution when using citronella products around your pet, and make sure they don't have access to any citronella plants in your garden. Where to find lizards around the home? Pour the water with the essential oils into the mason jars. The Verdict. There are several! A qualified pest control specialist will be able to help you identify possible access points that you might have otherwise missed. So, while dealing with your lizard problems, all sorts of pests are also driven off. In one study, candles made with citronella essential oil were able to reduce the number of 1 mosquitoes by about 35% and sand flies by 15%. Candles, which have a very weak concentration of citronella, are actually of very little use. Citronella does a good job of repelling ticks, gnats, ants, wasps, bees, roaches, fleas, moths, flies, and other biting insects on dogs and humans. Trap them and release them outside, as far from the home as possible; Lizards will keep away while your surroundings smell pleasant. Strong scents are said to be plants that repel snakes. This is necessary until lizards are eliminated. Slice the lemon and lime into inch slices. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. The dog may not be a fan of this delicious smell; this is the reason it's used as dog repellent, so if you start thinking citronella is safe for dogs, then the answer is yes. First of all, my safe and all natural Gecko repellant consists of a combination of a few of the most effective Spices, Herbs and other common household items Geckos hate to be around, such as; powdered Garlic, Fine Ground Black Pepper, Coffee Grounds, Onion powder, Used Tea leaves, Peppermint Oil and LemonGrass Oil, even Cayenne powder, to name . Are there any natural alternatives to using essential oils? For this repellent effect to linger, youll need to reapply peppermint essential oil for about a week or more. ; Menu Toggle. Citronella plants themselves won't repel insects; it's only once the oils are extracted that they will be effective. 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. Chili. Rabbits. X If you have small children or pets, be careful not to let them get near the traps you've set. Not only with the smell of tansy repel most flies, it will give you clusters of pretty yellow flowers to brighten up your home. Unlike most of these aromatic plants, it's the flowers that produce the scent rather than the leaves. Fresh lemongrass or lemongrass essential oil is generally more effective in repelling lizards, but a cheaper and more accessible alternative would be to use lemongrass tea leaves. Essential oils to consider for your lizard control needs include citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemongrass essential oils. You can also use lemongrass oil as a repellent for mosquitoes, flies, and thrips just to mention a few. However, harmless or not, most people do not want lizards surprising them in the morning when getting dressed and making coffee, or finding them crawling on food or hiding under the fridge. Or, a prepared mixture specially formulated for pest control such asMighty Mints Peppermint Oil Insect & Pest Control Spraycan be used and eliminate the hassle of preparing it yourself. If youre in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. Citronella is a by-product of lemongrass, which repels mosquitoes as well. Veg. So, you only need to target lizard-infested areas of your home for application. Pests that Lemongrass Repels Citronella is the most effective in repelling mosquitoes. How to get rid of geckos in the house? o Use Sites: Oil of Citronella is used on humans to repel insects. Apart from essential oil treatments, there are other ways to rid your home of lizard presence. But does citronella actually work? Peppermint and anything else minty is caused by the chemical menthol- a powerful scent most pests cannot stand. What are the precautions to take while using essential oils? To get rid of geckos in your home, set out sticky traps around the front and back doors, basement windows, ceiling light fixtures, and garage. 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