How to Get Rid of Spotted Salamanders

Spotted salamanders are a common sight both inside and outside homes throughout North America. Because they prefer cool, damp places, the most common area of the house to find spotted salamanders is the basement. Though these critter do secrete a toxin, they are mostly harmless to humans and larger pets, and actually help keep down the bug population inside a home. However, if these house guests are unwelcome, eliminating their food sources and entryways are the most effective ways to evict them for good.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bug spray
• Window sealant
• Caulk
• Soil

Caring for the Home's Interior

1. Determine the salamander species you are dealing with, as spotted salamanders are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. White spotted salamanders are considered near threatened on this list, while yellow spotted salamanders are listed as 'vulnerable.' Call your local Department of Animal Care for further assistance with identifying and preserving threatened salamanders.

2. Provided that you are not dealing with a threatened salamander, call an exterminator. In most areas where spotted salamanders are common, exterminators are able to spray homes with a toxin that kills their eggs. Salamanders generally lay their eggs in pools of water, so if that environment does not exist in and around the home, this step may not be necessary. (Likewise if there are only a few salamanders in the home.) However, if the house is infested, it's best to start with a clean slate.

3. Spray all over the house with a bug spray, focusing on areas around the windows, doors and baseboards. Killing the bugs eliminates the salamanders' food supply, giving them little reason to stay in or return to your home.

4. Inspect the windows, floors and doors around the home, paying special attention to the room the salamanders seem to be entering and exiting through. Apply window sealant and caulk to any gaps in windows or cracks in floors or door frames. Salamanders can squeeze through tight spaces, so it's important to give all openings this treatment.

Caring for the Home's Exterior

5. Take a walk around the outside of the home. If there are any holes in the ground or pools filled with water near the walls of the house, drain them if necessary and pack them with soil. Spotted salamanders are drawn to moisture, so any wet areas need to be eliminated.

6. Remove all rocks, piles of leaves and logs from the yard, as these items can harbor moist conditions and give the salamanders a place to lay their eggs.

7. Clear the gutters of all debris to prevent pooling. Recheck the gutters every 2 to 4 weeks, particularly in the autumn.

8. Inspect the foundation and siding for holes or cracks. Spotted salamanders could be getting into the home through an outdoor entryway. If any major imperfections are found, call a home-repair professional to take a closer look.

Tips & Warnings

• Cats are very good at keeping salamanders at bay. Consider getting a pet to patrol the home if these steps don't produce the desired results.. Reapply the bug spray at regular intervals. Spraying the house every month or so with bug repellent will ensure that the salamanders' food source doesn't return.
• Spotted Salamanders are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

References

• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species