How to Catch a Lizard Every Time

Anyone who lives an a slightly arid region knows what's like to have a lizard loose in the house. Removing them has always involved a big chase, and a few bites on the fingers. But there's an easy way to catch a lizard without chasing it, and without much risk of being bitten.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A 3 foot stick or longer
• Dental floss or string

1. Cut off a piece of dental floss as long as the stick you are using.

2. Secure one end of the floss to the stick, and tie a slip knot on the other end. If you are unfamiliar with knots, check out the eHow article, "How to tie a slip knot." You're tool should now look like a crude fishing pole.

3. Move close enough to the lizard that you can touch it with the slip knot. You'll find that the lizard will not move even if you hit it with the string. It will be more worried about your proximity than it will be about the stick.

4. Move the stick around until the slip knot slides around the neck of the lizard. This may take a little work but as long as you keep your distance from the lizard, it will let you do what you want.

5. Pull gently on the stick once it's hooked. The lizard will likely thrash around and try to get loose.

6. Grab the lizard as quickly as possible, turn it onto its back and rub its stomach gently with one finger. Surprisingly enough, this will incapacitate the lizard.

7. Once it's calm, remove the knot from its neck while still rubbing the stomach, and take the lizard outside to set it free.

Tips & Warnings

• If the lizard continues to run away when the string gets close to it, you may either have too short a stick, or not enough string. The further your body is from the lizard, the more calm it will be.
• If you know a lizard is in your house, but can't find it, check behind the refrigerator. Reptiles love tight, warm spots.
• Never allow the lizard to stay in the noose for more than a few seconds, it will trash around trying to get loose and can easily strangle itself.
• Always remove the string from around the lizards neck. Never let it go by cutting the line because the lizard will likely suffocate trying to get loose.
• Don't try this with large lizards, like iguanas.