How to Catch a Lizard in the House

Lizards are our friends—valuable contributors to the environment. They help keep nature in balance, acting as “nature’s pest control” by munching on pesky insects, and they are a tasty food source for larger prey. But if you've ever had a lizard in your house, you know the little rascals are not easy to catch. But catch and release you must, because if you don’t, you'll discover its tiny, shriveled corpse the next time you move the sofa. Or your cat will eat (and ultimately puke up) the errant Anole. Here's how to catch a lizard without using your hands.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A long object, such as a yardstick or wooden spoon.
• A plastic storage container, sandwich size or larger than the lizard.
• A piece of sturdy paper or card stock, larger than the container.

1. Using the stick, encourage the lizard onto a flat surface. Gently tap the stick behind the lizard until it moves. Don't poke the lizard!

2. Carefully place the plastic storage container over the lizard. Do this carefully because you don't want to slam the container down on the lizard as it's running, accidentally smashing the poor thing.

3. Slide the paper or card stock under the container. You may have to jiggle the paper as you're sliding it in to encourage the lizard to hop on to it. Make sure the paper "seals" the lizard inside.

4. Lift the paper and container simultaneously, carrying the lizard outdoors where you release it onto the ground, away from your doorway (and definitely away from your pets). Mission accomplished!

Tips & Warnings

• Although you may use your hands to catch a lizard, only do this if you are not squeamish and are careful not to squish the lizard. Then be sure to wash your hands because they sometimes carry the Salmonella virus.
• If you try to catch a lizard by its tail, you may be surprised to have the tail break off in your hand! Their long tails are meant to fall off at the slightest pull, making them the perfect getaway aid. The tail will grow back in several weeks, but meanwhile, you still have a tailless lizard to catch.
• Attempting to keep a wild lizard as a pet is not recommended as it can harbor internal parasites.

[vallain]

on 2/2/2009 I think the little lizards in Florida are cute. I kept catching them and putting them out of the screen room, thinking they were trapped in there. Now I've figured it out... if they can get in, they can get out... so I just leave them alone.

[gpcs]

on 12/31/2007 Thanks for not having the prevailing "If it's an animal that somehow inconveniences people,it should be killed" mentality. Readers of this article may also enjoy my How tos on See a Wild Parrot in the US of A, See and Photograph a Wild Moose, Photograph Wild Seals and Be a Wildlife Photographer (By George Sommers).
-George