How to Catch a Lizard Inside Your Home

Whether your pet lizard has escaped outside or an uninvited guest has made its way into your home, it's important to catch it safely and humanely. Lizards tend to hide when frightened, so the first step is to locate it. Once the lizard reveals itself, gently encourage it to crawl into a box. Your pet lizard can return to its designated place, while a wild lizard should be released back into nature. If the lizard is large or your home is overrun with them, remember you can contact a pest control service for assistance.

Close the door to the room where you last saw the lizard. Ensure both the door and windows are shut so the creature can't escape. You may also want to place a towel under the door to prevent it from slipping out.

Check dark and hidden spaces to see if the lizard is hiding there. Lizards often prefer narrow, enclosed spaces. Be sure to check beneath the sofa, armchairs, desks, or bookshelves. Wall cabinets, vent openings, baseboards, cushions, and plant pots are also common hiding spots for lizards.

Put your pets in another room. If you have pets, the lizard may hide more effectively. Keep your dog or cat in a separate room until the lizard is caught.

Turn off all the lights in the room. The lizard may come out from hiding if it senses the room has become dark. Close the curtains to block outside sunlight. You can use a flashlight to track its movements. Typically, it will come out within half an hour.

Wait for the lizard to appear. The lizard will only come out when it feels safe. If you can't locate it, prepare your tools to catch it and keep them ready until the lizard emerges.

Find a container to catch the lizard. Most house lizards are about 5 to 8 cm long. Old food containers like large butter or yogurt tubs work well for this purpose.

Approach the lizard slowly. If you startle it, the lizard will run back to its hiding spot. Instead, move toward it slowly. If you notice the lizard starting to move, stop and wait for a moment until it calms down.

Guide the lizard into the container. If the lizard is clinging to the wall, use a magazine or piece of paper to gently coax it toward the container. If it's on the floor, you can use a broom or ruler to nudge it in. Typically, the lizard will run into the container, thinking it's a safe place.

Spray cold water on the lizard if it keeps running away. If the lizard refuses to enter the container, try spraying it with cold water. This can slow it down or even make it temporarily immobile for a minute or two, giving you the chance to place the container over it.

Slip a piece of cardboard or paper under the container. Once the lizard is inside the container, you can trap it by placing a piece of paper or cardboard underneath. Keep the lizard confined until you're ready to release it back into nature or return it to its cage.

Take the lizard outside. You should release the lizard outside to return it to the wild. Avoid letting it go right next to the house or at the doorstep, as it might run right back inside. Take it a few meters away from the house before letting it go.

Lift the cardboard from the top of the box. Hold the box low to the ground and remove the cardboard cover. The lizard will likely dart out of the box. If not, step back and leave the box there for a few minutes. The lizard may only come out once you’ve left the area.

Don’t keep the wild lizard as a pet. Most wild lizards don’t thrive in captivity, whether in a cage or an enclosure. These creatures belong in the wild, and they should be released humanely.

Call a pest control company if you believe your home is infested with lizards. They can inspect your house for entry points where lizards might be getting in and help remove a large number of them. Call pest control to see if they offer this service.