How To Attract Lizards To Your Yard

Are you starting a garden, but struggling to keep invasive plants and pests at bay?

Have you recently discovered how many lizards will do this job for you?

If you are an avid gardener or simply a fan of these tiny reptiles, you may be wondering what the best methods are for attracting these critters to your yard.

You want to know how to attract lizards to your yard.

Creating the perfect environment is the key to attracting lizards, such as tall grasses, dense plants for shelter, and flat open surfaces to lay in the sun. Water is essential for the reptile to drink and sometimes reproduce while setting down mulch and leaves will attract the lizard’s favorite prey.

Read on to learn why lizards are beneficial for your yard.

The Benefits Of Lizards In Your Yard

If you notice a lizard in your yard, don’t be alarmed. 

While many people are either scared or confused by this reptile, they are the perfect addition for the following reasons:

They Will Protect Your Garden

An excellent addition to your garden, lizards will ensure tiny insects don’t ruin your homegrown fruits and veggies. 

These reptiles will help keep the insect population down, feasting on slugs, flies, and even spiders. 

By continually keeping your yard free of insects, they will allow your plants to bloom fully.

They Indicate A Healthy Yard

Lizards are very sensitive to pesticides and other pollutants, which is why you may not be finding any in your yad. 

However, if you happen to find a lizard in your yard, or you’re able to attract some successfully, this is an indicator your yard is free of most harmful chemicals. 

This should also put your mind at ease if you ever doubt whether your garden’s food is safe to eat.

They May Prevent Lyme Disease

Recent studies have shown the common western fence lizard, found mainly in the Western portion of the United States, has the potential to prevent Lyme disease. 

Scientists have discovered a protein in the lizard’s blood, eliminating Lyme disease in a tick. 

So the more of these guys you have in your yard, the less likely you or someone in your family will contract Lyme disease.

Read on to learn more about attracting lizards to your yard.

The Best Way On How To Attract Lizards To Your Yard

If you want to attract lizards to your yard, you’ll need to understand the ideal conditions a lizard needs to thrive. 

Here are some things you should start doing in your yard to attract these ideal reptiles:

Create Hiding Spots

Since lizards are creatures low to the ground and vulnerable to predators, such as birds, they need plenty of protection. 

While tall grasses and dense plants should suffice, including some makeshift nooks and crannies with pieces of old wood or stone would entice these critters even more.

Include A Flat Surface For Sun-Bathing

Lizards are notorious “sun-worshippers,” so it is vital to have one or more flat surfaces available for the lizards to lay themselves out on. 

Since lizards are cold-blooded creatures, they need copious amounts of vitamin D to survive and keep warm. 

Laying in the sun allows the lizards to do this, and while they still need to worry about predators from above, you will most likely catch them lounging on any flat surface you provide.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals And Pesticides

As noted above, lizards are very sensitive creatures, and the mere presence of one or more is an indicator of a healthy yard. 

However, if your yard is full of pesticides, don’t expect any of these critters to visit you. 

Instead, make sure to spot-treat weeds instead of spraying, and make use of natural insect repellants. 

These simple changes will not only entice lizards into your yard but will make your home healthier as well.

Provide Food Sources

While lizards like to feast on plants and insects, which are natural food sources in your yard, adding some extra mulch and foliage is a good idea. 

This will not only contribute to the overall health of your yard, but it will also entice more insects, thereby providing more food to the lizards.

Ensure Plenty Of Water

Water is vital for a lizard’s survival, as it is for all living creatures. 

While some lizards absorb water through the skin and others, don’t need much at all, having some standing water areas would help attract these reptiles.  

Either a small pond or even a bowl of water would be enough to entice these critters. 

However, it’s essential to make sure there is a ramp provided to get out if they fall in, such as this platform ramp from Amazon.

Mow In The Morning

Reptiles are most active at night, and this is especially true for lizards. 

As a result, it is vital to save any yard work for the morning. 

By doing so, you will be ensuring any lizards wandering over to your yard at night will not be harmed.

Check out this article we found on how early you can mow your lawn.

Keep Your Cats (And Other Pets) Indoors

If your goal is to attract lizards to your yard, it’s essential to keep your existing animal companions indoors, especially cats. 

Your feline friend will not hesitate to track down and pounce on a lizard if it spots it in the yard, as they have an instinct to hunt. 

Keeping your pets stay indoors as much as possible, especially at night when the reptiles are most active, will ensure the lizards’ survival.

Conclusion

Are you convinced yet about the benefits of lizards in your yard? 

If you are ready for the ideal yard or garden, free of insects and other pests, it’s time to start creating the perfect environment for them with your new knowledge on how to attract lizards to your yard.

If you are diligent about following the above recommendations, then you should have some lizards in your yard in no time.