Did you just see a small, quick lizard run across your floor? It can be a surprise to find a skink in your home. These little lizards are fast. They can be hard to catch. If you want to know how to get rid of skinks, this guide will help. Skinks are mostly harmless. They can even be good for your garden. But they do not belong in your house. The good news is you have many easy ways to get them out and keep them out. This guide will give you a quick fix.
Dealing with these little critters is not a big deal. With a few easy steps, your home can be skink-free. This article will show you how to safely remove them. It will also teach you how to stop them from coming back. We will cover how to catch and release them. We will also talk about making your home less nice for them. As a result, you can have peace of mind. Let’s get started on fixing your skink problem fast.
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Why Do I Have Skinks in My House in the First Place?
Before you get rid of skinks, it helps to know why they came inside. Skinks do not come into your home to be a pest. They are usually looking for three simple things: food, water, and a safe place to live. Knowing what they want is the first step to making them leave. This is a crucial part of knowing how to get rid of skinks effectively.
What Are Skinks Looking for When They Enter a Home?
Skinks are like any other animal. They need certain things to live. Your home can often give them these things. This is very true when it is very hot or cold outside.
- Food: Skinks eat mostly bugs. They love to eat spiders, crickets, roaches, and other small insects. If you have bugs in your house, you are giving skinks a reason to come in. They see your home as a big place to eat.
- Water: All animals need water. Skinks can find water from leaky pipes under a sink. They can find it in a wet basement. They can even drink from your pet’s water bowl.
- Shelter: Skinks are shy and like to hide. Outside, they hide under rocks, logs, and leaf piles. Inside your home, they look for dark, quiet places. They might hide under your sofa, in closets, or in your basement.
Are Skinks Dangerous to My Family or My Pets?
This is a common question. The answer is no, not really. Skinks are not poison. They do not carry germs that make people sick. They are very shy animals. When they see a person or a pet, they run and hide. If you try to grab one, it might bite you because it is scared. A skink bite might hurt a little, like a pinch, but it is not dangerous. They are much more afraid of you than you are of them. For cats and dogs, a skink is more like a toy than a danger.
How Can I Humanely Remove a Skink I Find Inside?
When you find a skink in your house, do not panic. The best thing to do is stay calm. You can easily and safely catch the skink and let it go outside. This is the kindest way to handle your little guest.
What Is the Easiest Way for How to Get Rid of Skinks Without Touching Them?
You do not need to be a lizard expert to catch a skink. The “cup and paper” method is easy and works well.
- Get Your Tools: Find a cup or a small bowl. You will also need a stiff piece of paper, like an index card.
- Guide the Skink: Gently herd the skink to a corner of the room. Do not move too fast, or it will get scared and hide.
- Cover the Skink: When it is in a corner, put the cup over the skink. Now it is trapped.
- Slide the Paper Under: Slowly slide the paper under the cup’s opening. Be careful not to hurt the skink.
- Lift It Up: With the paper over the opening, you can lift the cup. The skink is safe inside.
Where Should I Release a Skink After I Catch It?
Once you catch the skink, you should let it go outside. Do not just let it go by your door. It might come right back in. Take it to a far part of your yard. A good place is near a woodpile, bushes, or rocks. These spots give skinks a good place to hide. Put the cup on the ground, move the paper, and let the skink run out.
How to Get Rid of Skinks by Making My Home Less Inviting
The best way to deal with skinks is to stop them from coming inside. You can do this by making your home a place they do not like. This means taking away their food, water, and hiding spots. This is a key part of any plan for how to get rid of skinks.
How Can Sealing Entry Points Help in How to Get Rid of Skinks?
Skinks are small. They can fit through tiny cracks and holes. To keep them out, you need to seal these holes. Walk around your house and look for any openings.
- Check for cracks in your home’s foundation.
- Look for gaps around pipes that go into your house.
- Make sure your windows and doors are sealed well.
- Fix any holes in your window screens.
You can use caulk to fill these small gaps. This will keep out skinks and other pests like bugs.
Will Reducing Moisture Help Keep Skinks Away?
Yes, it will. Skinks like wet places. If you keep your home dry, they will not want to be there. Fix any leaky pipes or faucets. Use a machine to dry the air in wet places like basements. Make sure your gutters are clean so water flows away from your house. Do not leave a pet’s water bowl near your door.
Does Eliminating Their Food Source Work for How to Get Rid of Skinks?
This is one of the best things you can do. If there is no food, skinks have no reason to come in. This means you need to get rid of the bugs they eat. Keep your kitchen clean. Do not leave food out. Put food in sealed containers. You can use bug traps or sprays to control insects. For more help on pests, you can check guides from schools. The University of California has a great guide on Integrated Pest Management with many good tips.
What Natural and Chemical-Free Methods Can I Use?
Many people do not like to use strong chemicals in their homes. This is very true if you have pets or kids. The good news is you have many natural ways to deal with skinks.
Are There Natural Repellents That Skinks Dislike?
People say there are some smells that skinks do not like. You can put these things in places where you have seen skinks.
- Citrus: People say skinks do not like the smell of citrus. You can leave lemon peels in spots you want to keep them away from.
- Cayenne Pepper: A little bit of cayenne pepper may also keep them away.
- Essential Oils: Some people say oils like cedarwood work well.
Remember that these natural ways may not always work for every skink. You may need to use them often.
Can Glue Traps Be Used for Skinks?
Glue traps are another choice that has no chemicals. You can put these sticky traps on the floor where skinks walk. But, many people think glue traps are not kind. If a skink gets caught, it will be stuck. It will likely die from fear or from not eating. If you use a glue trap and catch a skink, you can free it. Pour a little bit of cooking oil on the trap. The oil will make the glue let go, and the skink can get free.
How to Get Rid of Skinks for Good by Preventing Their Return
Once you have gotten the skinks out of your house, you want to make sure they stay out. This involves some simple, long-term maintenance of your home and yard. A little work now can stop problems later.
How Should I Manage My Yard to Deter Skinks?
Your yard can be a big reason why you have skinks. A messy yard with lots of places to hide is a welcome sign for them.
- Keep your grass cut.
- Trim bushes so they do not touch your house.
- Get rid of piles of leaves or wood.
- Move big rocks away from your house.
By keeping your yard neat, you give skinks fewer places to hide. This makes it less likely they will come to your house.
When Should I Call a Professional for Help with How to Get Rid of Skinks?
If you have tried these ideas and you still see skinks, it may be time to call a pro. A pest control expert can help you find out how the skinks are getting in. They can also use stronger ways to get rid of them. If you see a lot of skinks, it could mean you have a bigger bug problem that an expert needs to fix.
By following these easy steps, you can fix your skink problem. You can go back to enjoying your home without any surprise lizard guests.
FAQ – How to Get Rid of Skinks
Are natural repellents or non-chemical methods effective against skinks?
Some natural repellents, such as citrus peels, cayenne pepper, or essential oils like cedarwood, are believed to deter skinks, but their effectiveness varies and often requires frequent reapplication. Non-chemical traps like glue traps can be used, but they should be employed humanely, such as by releasing any caught skinks outside.
How can I prevent skinks from coming into my home again?
Prevention involves sealing entry points by checking for and repairing cracks, gaps around pipes, and holes in screens. Keep your home dry by fixing leaks and managing moisture, and reduce indoor insects that attract skinks by keeping your home clean and sealed.
What is the humane way to remove a skink I find inside my home?
To humanely remove a skink, stay calm and gently herd it towards an exit. Use a cup or small bowl and a stiff piece of paper to trap and lift the skink, then release it outside in a suitable area away from your house.
Are skinks dangerous to my family or pets?
Skinks are harmless and not venomous; they do not carry germs that can infect humans. They are shy animals that typically run and hide when scared, and while they might bite if threatened, their bite is not dangerous. They are generally more of a curiosity or a minor nuisance than a threat.
Why are skinks entering my house, and what do they need to stay?
Skinks enter homes primarily in search of food, water, and shelter. They are attracted by bugs that they eat, sources of water like leaky pipes or pet water bowls, and dark, quiet hiding spots such as under furniture or in closets.
