Lizards, Geckos and Skinks

Home Pest Problems

Lizards, geckos and skinks are generally beneficial; catching and eating many insect pests. But to some people their presence in the home can be unwanted. There are also invaders such as the plague skink that are a threat to New Zealand's native skinks.

Identify the problem
Geckos and skinks are often found in and around houses in warmer parts of New Zealand. They may be attracted to feed on the insects that have been attracted to the house by night lighting. The plague skink has been found in many parts of the North Island and recently in Marlborough. Plague skinks have one large scale on the top of their head, whereas New Zealand native skinks have two smaller scales.
How to solve the problem
1. Get rid of the lizard food source - Spray the interior and exterior with NO Bugs Super to reduce flies, moths, ants and other insects. Pay attention to surfaces around exterior lights. Fumigate with NO Bugs Bug Bombs or NO Bugs Super Fumigator.
2. Seal or remove hiding places - Lizards are small and can hide during the day in cracks and crevices around the building. Seal up or remove these potential hiding places and make the building less hospitable to the lizards.
3. Don't leave the lights on - At night turn off lights that attract insects and consequently lizards.
- Contact your local DoC office if you believe you have found plague skinks.
Did you know?
- New Zealand has about 60 species of lizards, the largest lizard species diversity in a temperate region. Now nearly all are threatened because of the reduction in habitat and the presence of predators such as cats, ferrets, stoats and weasels.