Lizards and Geckos in the House: Are They Harmful and How Do I Keep Them Out?
The small, pale geckos you see on walls and ceilings in UAE homes are harmless. They don't bite people unless handled, they aren't venomous, and they come indoors for one reason: to eat the insects drawn to your lights. So the way to see fewer geckos is to give them less to hunt and fewer ways in. If you're seeing a lot of them, treat it as a sign of an insect problem.
Are geckos dangerous to children or pets?
No. House geckos are shy and run from people. The only real concern is hygiene: their droppings, small dark pellets with a white tip, can carry germs, so clean them up with gloves and disinfectant, especially on kitchen worktops, and wash hands after touching them.
Larger lizards in villa gardens are a different matter. Leave them alone and keep children and pets away.
Why are there so many geckos in my house?
Food and access. Outdoor lights by doors and windows attract moths, flies and mosquitoes, and geckos follow them. Gaps under doors, open windows without screens, AC pipe holes and gaps around pipes let them in. Inside, cockroaches, ants and other insects keep them fed.
Villas with gardens, palms and irrigation see more geckos than towers, but they reach high floors too through balconies and service shafts.
How do I keep geckos out of the house?
• Turn off outdoor lights near doors when you don't need them, or switch to yellow bulbs that attract fewer insects. • Fit door sweeps and fine window and balcony screens. • Seal gaps around AC pipes, cables and plumbing where they pass through walls. • Keep the house dry and clear of clutter behind furniture and in store rooms. • Deal with the insects: fix leaks, keep food sealed and clear standing water outdoors.
To move a gecko outside, gently guide it into a container with a piece of card and release it outdoors. Avoid glue traps and sprays, which are cruel and leave you with a dead gecko behind a cupboard.
When should you call a professional?
• You see geckos in several rooms every night. • You also see cockroaches, ants or lots of flying insects indoors. • Droppings keep appearing in the kitchen or on furniture. • You can't find how they're getting in.
Friends doesn't list gecko removal as a service, but we can inspect your home, find what is feeding them and treat the insect problem behind it, using municipality-approved products. The inspection is free. Call 050 112 7654.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do geckos bite?
Very rarely, and only if they're grabbed. A house gecko bite is a small nip that isn't venomous. Wash it with soap and water.
Do mothballs or eggshells keep lizards away?
There's no good evidence that they work, and mothballs aren't safe around children and pets. Sealing gaps and reducing insects works far better.
Should I want a few geckos around?
Some people like them because they eat insects. But geckos won't control a cockroach or mosquito problem, so treat the insects directly.