Easy Steps: How To Keep Skinks Out Of Your Yard Fast

Looking for simple ways to get rid of skinks in your yard? Keeping these small lizards away is possible by changing what makes your yard attractive to them and using simple barriers or deterrents. This guide shares easy steps for keeping lizards away, focusing on safe and effective skink removal methods and natural skink deterrents. We will cover how to make your yard less appealing to skinks, use things they dislike, and physically block their entry.

Skinks are small reptiles often seen in yards, especially during warm weather. They usually look for food, water, and shelter. They eat insects and other small garden pests, which can be helpful. But too many skinks can become a nuisance for some homeowners. Thankfully, you can take steps to deter skinks and reduce their numbers around your home without causing them harm. This involves simple skink habitat modification and applying certain skink repellent techniques.

How To Keep Skinks Out Of Your Yard
Image Source: www.reptiles.org.nz

What Brings Skinks to Your Yard?

Before we talk about how to get rid of skinks, let’s look at why they show up. Skinks are drawn to yards that offer them what they need to live. Knowing this helps you target the things that attract them.

Food Sources for Skinks

Skinks primarily eat insects, spiders, slugs, and snails. They are like tiny pest controllers.

Lots of Insects: A yard full of bugs is a buffet for skinks. Gardens with thriving plant life often have many insects, attracting skinks to feed.
Other Small Critters: They also eat worms and other small creatures found in soil and under things.

Places to Hide and Shelter

Skinks are shy. They need safe places to hide from predators and the weather.

Ground Cover: Thick bushes, ground-level plants, and mulch provide cover.
Under Objects: Rocks, logs, woodpiles, garden decorations, and even trash cans lifted slightly off the ground offer hiding spots.
Cracks and Crevices: Skinks can squeeze into small spaces in walls, patios, and foundations.

Water Sources

Like all living things, skinks need water.

Puddles: Standing water after rain.
Pet Water Bowls: Easy access to a drink.
Leaky Faucets or Hoses: Constant drips.
Ponds or Water Features: Obvious water sources.
Damp Soil: They can get moisture from the ground, especially under mulch or plants.

Warmth and Sunshine

Reptiles are cold-blooded. They need outside heat to control their body temperature.

Sunny Spots: Skinks will bask in sunny areas to warm up.
Warm Surfaces: Rocks, pavement, and patios absorb heat, making nice basking spots.

By reducing these attractions, you start the process of yard pest prevention for these small reptiles. You make your yard less appealing, which encourages skinks to find a home elsewhere. This is a key part of lizard control yard efforts.

Making Your Yard Less Welcoming

The most effective way to keep skinks out of your yard is to change the environment. If your yard doesn’t offer what they need, they won’t stay. This is the core of skink habitat modification.

Clean Up Clutter

Skinks love places to hide. Removing clutter takes away their safe spots.

Remove Wood Piles: Store firewood away from the house and off the ground.
Clear Debris: Get rid of piles of leaves, grass clippings, and other yard waste. Compost them or put them in bins.
Organize Storage Areas: Tidy up sheds and garages. Remove old boxes or items stored outside that skinks might hide under.
Lift Items Off the Ground: If possible, raise things like garbage cans, storage bins, or garden tools off the ground using racks or stands.

Manage Your Landscaping

How you design and care for your garden affects skinks.

Trim Bushes and Shrubs: Keep plants trimmed so they don’t touch the ground extensively. This reduces hiding places.
Limit Ground Cover: Use less dense ground cover plants, or keep them well-maintained.
Choose Mulch Wisely: Skinks love to hide and find insects in thick, moist mulch. Consider using less mulch or types that drain quickly. Gravel or small stones might be less appealing than wood chips or straw. If you use mulch, keep the layer thin.
Keep Grass Short: Taller grass offers cover. Mowing your lawn regularly makes it a less attractive place for skinks to hide and hunt.
Move Plants: If you have plants right next to your house foundation, skinks might hide there. Consider moving these plants a bit away or choosing smaller varieties.

Control Water Sources

Getting rid of standing water is important for yard pest prevention, including skinks.

Fix Leaks: Repair leaky outdoor faucets, hoses, and irrigation systems.
Empty Containers: Don’t leave out buckets, pet bowls (unless needed), or other containers that collect water.
Address Drainage Issues: Ensure your yard drains well after rain. Fill low spots where puddles form.
Cover Water Features: If you have a pond, consider adding features that might deter small animals, or ensure the edges don’t provide easy hiding spots.

Manage the Food Supply

Reducing the insect population in your yard can help deter skinks. Remember, they are there for the bugs.

Natural Pest Control: Use natural methods to control insect pests. This reduces the skinks’ food source. Think about using beneficial insects or simple, safe sprays like diluted soap solutions on plants.
Avoid Chemical Pesticides: While pesticides kill insects (skink food), they can also harm skinks directly or indirectly. They are not a recommended skink removal method and can hurt the overall health of your yard ecosystem. Focus on changing the environment rather than using poisons.

By implementing these changes, you are performing significant skink habitat modification. This is a humane and effective way to encourage skinks to move somewhere else.

Using Natural Skink Deterrents

Skinks, like many animals, dislike certain smells or textures. Using natural skink deterrents can help keep them away from specific areas. These methods are generally safe for pets and children when used correctly.

Smells Skinks Don’t Like

Some natural items give off smells that skinks find unpleasant. Placing these around areas where you see skinks can help.

Garlic: Skinks are said to dislike the strong smell of garlic. You can make a garlic spray by mixing crushed garlic with water and spraying it around the edges of your yard or near entry points.
- How to make: Crush a few cloves of garlic. Mix with water in a spray bottle. Let it sit for a while, then strain out the garlic pieces before spraying.
- Where to use: Spray along foundations, fences, and garden borders. Reapply after rain.
Onion: Similar to garlic, onions have a strong smell.
- How to use: Cut onions in half or quarters and place them in areas where skinks are seen. Replace them as they dry out.
Mothballs: While often listed as a deterrent for many pests, mothballs contain chemicals (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) that are toxic and harmful to pets and children. It is generally NOT recommended to use mothballs as a skink repellent in an open yard due to these risks and potential environmental harm.
Eggshells: Some people believe the sulfur smell from eggshells deters skinks. Crushing eggshells and scattering them around plants or garden beds might have some effect. The sharp edges might also be slightly off-putting, but this is less proven.
- How to use: Save eggshells, rinse them, let them dry, and crush them into small pieces. Sprinkle them around the base of plants or near areas you want to protect.

Other Natural Methods

Using Citrus Peels: Some sources suggest citrus smells can deter lizards. Placing orange, lemon, or grapefruit peels around your garden might help.
Introducing Predators (Carefully): Having natural predators in your yard can help with small reptile control. Birds, snakes (non-venomous ones), and some mammals prey on skinks. However, attracting predators can have other effects you might not want. This isn’t a direct control method but part of a balanced ecosystem.
Coffee Grounds: Scattering used coffee grounds is sometimes suggested as a deterrent for various pests, possibly including skinks. The texture and smell might be unpleasant.
- How to use: Sprinkle used coffee grounds around garden beds, pathways, or entry points.

These natural skink deterrents are not guaranteed solutions but can be part of a larger strategy alongside habitat modification. They work best in targeted areas rather than trying to cover your entire yard.

Building Physical Barriers

Sometimes, modifying the habitat isn’t enough. You may need to create physical barriers to keep skinks out of specific areas, like porches, patios, or even your house. This is a form of lizard control yard.

Sealing Entry Points

Skinks can get into incredibly small spaces. Sealing cracks and holes is crucial for keeping them out of structures.

Check Your Foundation: Inspect the foundation of your house, garage, and shed. Seal any cracks or openings with caulk or mortar.
Inspect Doors and Windows: Ensure screens are intact. Check seals around doors and windows. Use weather stripping to close gaps. Skinks can slip under doors with large gaps.
Seal Gaps in Patios and Decks: Look for cracks between patio stones or gaps under decks and steps. Fill these spaces.
Screen Vents and Openings: Cover vents, pipes entering walls, and other small openings with fine mesh screening.

Creating Low Fences or Borders

A simple, low barrier can prevent skinks from entering certain areas.

Material: You can use wire mesh (like hardware cloth), sheet metal, or plastic garden edging. The material should be solid or have very small holes (less than 1/4 inch).
Height: A barrier just 6-12 inches tall can be effective. Skinks can climb, but a smooth, short fence is harder for them to get over quickly, especially if you make the top edge outward-facing or slippery.
Installation: Bury the bottom edge of the barrier a few inches into the ground. Skinks can burrow a little, so burying the base stops them from simply going under. Ensure there are no gaps where the barrier meets the ground or other structures.
Placement: Place these barriers around gardens you want to protect, around the base of your house, or around a patio area.

Using Mesh or Netting

For protecting specific plants or small areas, netting can work.

Drape over Plants: Use fine mesh netting to cover plants or garden beds. Ensure the edges are secured to the ground so skinks cannot crawl underneath.
Fence Off Small Areas: You can use mesh to create a small enclosure around a particular spot.

Physical barriers are effective because they directly block access. Combined with making the area less appealing, they significantly reduce the chances of skinks settling in. This is a direct method in keeping lizards away from targeted spots.

Humane Skink Removal Methods

Sometimes, you might find a skink indoors or in an area where you absolutely need it gone right away. While most methods focus on preventing them from being there in the first place, there are ways for skink removal methods that are humane.

Catch and Release

The simplest and kindest method is to catch the skink and move it.

Using a Container: Find a container like a cup, box, or plastic bin. Gently guide or scoop the skink into the container. You can use a piece of cardboard or a lid to slide under the container once the skink is inside, trapping it temporarily.
Gloves: Wear gloves if you are worried about touching the skink (though they are generally harmless).
Moving Location: Take the skink a safe distance away from your home – at least a few hundred feet, preferably in a wooded area, field, or park that seems suitable for its survival, away from roads. This ensures it doesn’t just come right back.

Using Simple Traps

You can make or buy simple traps that catch the skink without harming it.

Glue Traps (Use with Caution): While they catch skinks, glue traps can seriously injure or even kill the animal. If you use one, check it very often. If a skink is caught, you can sometimes free it by pouring a small amount of vegetable oil gently onto the glued area around the skink’s body and limbs. This dissolves the glue. Be prepared for a potentially stressed or injured animal. Humane catch-and-release methods are much preferred over glue traps.
DIY Pitfall Trap: Dig a small hole in the ground where skinks are often seen. Place a smooth-sided container (like a large yogurt cup or tin can) into the hole so the rim is level with the ground. Skinks moving along may fall in. Check the trap frequently (multiple times a day) so trapped animals do not get too stressed, overheat, or become prey. Provide a small piece of damp sponge or leaf in the container for moisture and cover part of the top to offer shade. Release any captured skinks away from your yard.

Making a Water Trap (Less Recommended)

Some people suggest burying a container of water. Skinks might fall in and have trouble getting out. However, this method can lead to drowning and is not as humane as catch-and-release.

Important: If you choose any trapping method, always check the traps very often to ensure the animal is not harmed or stressed unnecessarily. Release them promptly.

These skink removal methods should be used as a last resort for individual skinks that have entered your space, rather than a primary strategy for lizard control yard. Focusing on prevention is always better.

Comprehending Skink Behavior

To effectively deter skinks and manage them in your yard, it helps to know a little about how they behave.

Activity Time: Skinks are most active during the day, especially when it’s warm. You’ll see them basking in the sun or hunting for food.
Speed: They can move very quickly when startled, darting into cover.
Diet: As mentioned, they eat insects and other small invertebrates. They are carnivores.
Reproduction: Skinks lay eggs, usually in moist, hidden places like under logs or in rotten wood. Reducing these egg-laying spots can also help control the population over time.
Tail Dropping: If caught by a predator (or handled roughly), many skinks can drop their tail. The tail wriggles on its own, distracting the predator while the skink escapes. They can regrow their tail, but it takes time and energy. This is why gentle catch-and-release is important.

Knowing these basic facts about skinks helps you understand why certain yard pest prevention strategies work. You’re working with their natural instincts (seeking food, shelter, warmth) to make your yard less appealing.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Skinks

Dealing with skinks is part of broader yard pest prevention. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach is best. This means using a combination of methods rather than relying on just one.

The steps of IPM for skinks would look like this:

Identify the Pest: Confirm you have skinks. (Easy, you see them!)
Understand Why They Are There: What is attracting them? (Food, water, shelter, warmth). This is where comprehending their needs comes in.
Set Action Thresholds: Decide how many skinks are “too many” for you. A few skinks eating bugs might be okay; dozens might not be.
Prevent: Use skink habitat modification and physical barriers first. Make your yard undesirable.
Monitor: Keep an eye on whether the number of skinks goes down after you make changes. See where they still appear.
Control: If prevention isn’t enough, use safe natural skink deterrents or, as a last resort, humane skink removal methods for individuals. Avoid harsh chemicals or harmful traps.
Evaluate: See if your methods worked. Adjust your strategy if needed.

This structured approach ensures you’re addressing the root cause of the issue and using the safest, most effective methods first. It’s about long-term lizard control yard, not just a quick fix.

Are Skinks Harmful? (Hint: Usually No)

Many people want to get rid of skinks because they are simply uncomfortable with reptiles, not because skinks cause harm.

Are they venomous? No. Skinks found in most yards are not venomous.
Do they bite? They can bite if they feel threatened or are handled, but their bite is not harmful to humans and usually doesn’t even break the skin.
Do they carry diseases? It’s highly unlikely that a skink would transmit a disease to humans in a yard setting. Basic hygiene (washing hands after gardening, etc.) is always good practice.
Do they damage property? Generally, no. They don’t chew wood, damage plants (unless they eat an insect on a plant), or cause structural harm. Their main activity is hunting insects and hiding.

In fact, having skinks can be beneficial! They eat many common garden pests. For many yards, they are a sign of a healthy environment. Small reptile control efforts are often about managing their presence for human comfort rather than dealing with an actual threat.

Long-Term Strategies for Keeping Lizards Away

Once you’ve taken immediate steps to deter skinks and modified their habitat, maintaining your yard is key for long-term keeping lizards away.

Regular Yard Maintenance

Consistent Mowing: Keep your grass relatively short.
Pruning: Regularly trim bushes and ground cover.
Cleanliness: Keep clutter, leaf piles, and debris cleared away.
Water Management: Continue to fix leaks and eliminate standing water.

Monitoring for Re-Infestation

Keep an eye out for new signs of skink activity.
Check areas you’ve sealed or protected with barriers to ensure they are still effective.

Education and Awareness

Learn to identify the specific type of skinks in your area. Different species have slightly different habits.
Understand their role in the ecosystem. This might make their presence less bothersome.

This ongoing effort in yard pest prevention will help keep your skink population low over time.

Choosing Safe Skink Repellent Options

When considering skink repellent, remember that harsh chemicals are generally not needed or recommended. They can harm other wildlife, pets, and the environment.

Natural Sprays: The garlic or onion spray mentioned earlier is a natural option.
Commercial Repellents: Some products are marketed as lizard or reptile repellents.
- Check Ingredients: Look for products that use natural oils or substances known to be unpleasant to lizards, rather than poisons.
- Read Reviews: See if other users have found them effective.
- Follow Instructions: Use them only as directed.
- Consider Effectiveness: Many commercial repellents have limited, temporary effects. Habitat modification is usually more impactful.

Focusing on natural skink deterrents and physical barriers is usually more sustainable and safer than relying solely on sprays or granules.

Table: Skink Control Methods Quick View

Method	Type	Effectiveness	Safety (Pets/Kids)	Effort Level	Notes
Clean Up Clutter	Habitat Modification	High	High	Medium	Removes hiding spots
Reduce Water Sources	Habitat Modification	High	High	Medium	Eliminates drinking sources
Manage Landscaping	Habitat Modification	High	High	Medium	Reduces cover and food
Natural Pest Control	Food Source Control	Medium to High	High	Medium	Reduces insect food
Sealing Gaps & Cracks	Physical Barrier	High (for entry)	High	High	Prevents entry into structures
Low Fences/Borders	Physical Barrier	Medium to High	High	Medium	Deters entry to specific areas
Garlic/Onion Spray	Natural Deterrent	Low to Medium	High	Low	Might repel, needs reapplication
Catch & Release	Humane Removal	High (individual)	High	Low	For single skinks inside or caught
Pitfall Trap (Check Often)	Humane Removal	Medium	Medium	Medium	Requires frequent monitoring, humane if done right
Glue Traps	Harmful Removal	High (catches)	Low	High Risk	NOT Recommended – Harmful!
Chemical Repellents	Chemical Repellent	Varies	Low to Medium	Low	May be harmful, less effective long-term

This table helps compare different lizard control yard options. Prioritize the methods with High Effectiveness and High Safety.

Wrapping Up Your Skink Control Efforts

Successfully keeping lizards away from your yard involves a multi-step approach. It’s not about totally eliminating every skink, which would be impossible and not good for the ecosystem, but about making your yard less attractive to them so they find somewhere else to live.

Start with the easiest and most effective steps: modify their habitat. Clean up, manage water, and tidy your landscaping. These actions address the core reasons skinks are in your yard. Then, if needed, add physical barriers to protect specific areas. Finally, use natural skink deterrents in targeted spots and use humane skink removal methods only for individual skinks that have become trapped or entered your home.

Remember that skinks play a role in your yard by eating pests. A healthy yard often has a balance of many creatures. Yard pest prevention should aim for balance, not eradication. By taking these easy, well-researched steps, you can significantly reduce the number of skinks around your home quickly and safely. These steps contribute to overall effective small reptile control in your outdoor space.

Frequently Asked Questions About Keeping Skinks Away

h4: Are skinks dangerous to pets?

Generally, no. Skinks are not venomous and are not aggressive. A pet might try to play with or eat a skink, but the skink is unlikely to harm the pet. Some skink species might carry certain parasites, but transmission to pets is rare in a typical yard setting. The bigger concern is often pets harming the skink.

h4: Will mothballs keep skinks away?

Mothballs contain toxic chemicals. While they might repel skinks with their strong odor, they are harmful to pets, children, and the environment. Using mothballs in your yard is strongly discouraged as a skink repellent. Safer, natural alternatives exist.

h4: How far away should I release a skink?

To prevent a skink from returning, release it at least a few hundred feet away from your home. Choose a location that provides suitable habitat, like a wooded area or tall grass, and is away from roads or immediate dangers.

h4: Do skinks eat plants?

No, skinks are carnivores. They eat insects, spiders, worms, and other small invertebrates. They will not eat your garden plants. In fact, they help protect your plants by eating pests.

h4: How quickly can I expect results from these methods?

Habitat modification (cleaning up, managing water) can start showing results within a few days to a week as skinks find less favorable conditions. Natural deterrents might have temporary effects. Physical barriers work immediately where they are installed. For significant, long-term reduction, consistent effort over time is needed.

h4: Are there any smells that attract skinks?

Skinks are attracted by the smell of their food (insects) and possibly by damp earth or water sources. They aren’t attracted by specific scents like a bait would be, but rather by the overall environment that provides food and shelter.

h4: Is it okay to kill skinks?

Killing skinks is generally unnecessary, often ineffective for long-term control, and can disrupt the local ecosystem. Skinks are beneficial for eating garden pests. Humane methods focusing on prevention and removal are recommended over lethal options. Many places have laws protecting native reptiles, so check your local regulations.

h4: Can professional pest control help with skinks?

Some pest control services offer reptile control. However, many reputable services will focus on the underlying causes (like insect infestations or habitat issues) rather than just trying to kill skinks. Discuss their methods to ensure they align with safe and humane practices, focusing on exclusion and habitat changes.

h4: Does getting rid of insects in my yard help with skinks?

Yes, reducing the insect population in your yard directly impacts the skinks’ food source. Using natural pest control methods to reduce insects can make your yard less attractive to skinks, serving as an indirect skink repellent strategy.

h4: Are these methods safe for other wildlife?

The methods focused on habitat modification (cleaning up, water control, landscaping) are generally safe and beneficial for a wide range of beneficial wildlife. Natural deterrents like garlic spray are also low risk. Humane catch-and-release methods are safe for the skinks themselves. Avoiding chemicals is key to protecting pets and non-target wildlife.