Unknown lizard, Gieco,??? - Ask Extension
I have posted a number of question concerning my plants and how to save them. Shoot I even have one pending for help now. I am hoping that someone wil...
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Unknown lizard, Gieco,??? #149229
Asked August 26, 2013, 2:02 AM EDT
I have posted a number of question concerning my plants and how to save them. Shoot I even have one pending for help now. I am hoping that someone will be able to help with identifying this lizard. I live in a mobile home with a freestanding roof built above it. I have noticed these lizards crawling all over the rafters of this roof and even some on the ground around the base of my home. Thank God I have not seen any inside my home. yet?
The picture I have attached is of one of these lizards, however it shed its tail when it felt threatened. I wasn't surprised that the tail continued to twitch for a while after he shed it because I do know of some lizards that will do so to draw attention away from itself as it escapes.
I would first like to know what the name of this animal is and second, if I should be actively trying to rid myself of them? I would also like to know if these animals will eventually show up inside my home and if they do, should I call an exterminator?
Thank you so much for all of the help you have given to me with my plants and now animal problems. I do not know what I would have done with you.
The picture I have attached is of one of these lizards, however it shed its tail when it felt threatened. I wasn't surprised that the tail continued to twitch for a while after he shed it because I do know of some lizards that will do so to draw attention away from itself as it escapes.
I would first like to know what the name of this animal is and second, if I should be actively trying to rid myself of them? I would also like to know if these animals will eventually show up inside my home and if they do, should I call an exterminator?
Thank you so much for all of the help you have given to me with my plants and now animal problems. I do not know what I would have done with you.
Madison County Texas
Expert Response
Hello,
These animals are geckos and are commonly seen in our part of the state during the warmer months. They are not considered pests due to their beneficial aspects of helping control insects; however, they can become a nuisance when numbers increase and/or they begin to find a way inside your house. Geckos will most often be found outside in areas which are lighted at night (hunting for insects). If they find openings into structures, such as cracks or other openings, they will come into the buildings. Movement into houses seems to be a little more common as the temperature begins to decrease in the fall, although areas with a large population of them will see increased movement as well. Chemical control is not recommended which may have only a slight impact upon their food source. Overall you are better off letting them do their work outside with no interference. They can be physically caught and removed from houses or trapped with common sticky board traps available at nursery/feed centers or from pest control companies. These animals are truly beneficial and do help control insects; therefore, the sticky boards which are lethal should only be used as a last resort. Here are a couple of links to Extension web pages describing the Gecko in more detail:
http://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/household/misc-house/ent-2006/
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-17_lizard_gecko.htm
These animals are geckos and are commonly seen in our part of the state during the warmer months. They are not considered pests due to their beneficial aspects of helping control insects; however, they can become a nuisance when numbers increase and/or they begin to find a way inside your house. Geckos will most often be found outside in areas which are lighted at night (hunting for insects). If they find openings into structures, such as cracks or other openings, they will come into the buildings. Movement into houses seems to be a little more common as the temperature begins to decrease in the fall, although areas with a large population of them will see increased movement as well. Chemical control is not recommended which may have only a slight impact upon their food source. Overall you are better off letting them do their work outside with no interference. They can be physically caught and removed from houses or trapped with common sticky board traps available at nursery/feed centers or from pest control companies. These animals are truly beneficial and do help control insects; therefore, the sticky boards which are lethal should only be used as a last resort. Here are a couple of links to Extension web pages describing the Gecko in more detail:
http://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/household/misc-house/ent-2006/
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-17_lizard_gecko.htm
I will take your advice and let the geckos alone. I do have a really large famioly of them but they are all the same color and as of yet I have only seen them outside around our lights under the built on roof. I had no idea that they were insect feeders but I am more than happy to let them do their what they like doing best, eating insects.
I can not thank you enough for the help and the information on the Geckos. I would have tried everything in the world to exterminate them and only added to my bigger problem of mosquitoes and other flying insects. Thank you so much for being available to answer questions for those of us that are not quit as knowledgeable about some things.
I can not thank you enough for the help and the information on the Geckos. I would have tried everything in the world to exterminate them and only added to my bigger problem of mosquitoes and other flying insects. Thank you so much for being available to answer questions for those of us that are not quit as knowledgeable about some things.
