geckos and lanai's
 

I'm posting another "newbie" question. We have a cottage series house and being from the mid-west we have screens on our windows and patio doors up north. I'd LOVE to open up the lanai door but once in a while see geckos out there and really don't want them in the house. Would anyone have an idea on how to keep them outside?? PLUS...would love to know how to find a patio-screen door that would fit. Thoughts and ideas would be appreciated!!!

My dog's past time is to hunt geckos. He can get anything that comes on the lanai but if it comes into the house that is another story. We could have an uninvited guest for a few weeks or more.

A cat might be a better idea for talent at hunting things that get in the house even if you might have to put up with the cat dumping it at your feet for a petting. My hunter of a Burmese/Siamese mix used to do that with birds and stuff she nabbed.

The little beasties sit at my door, waiting for me to open it.... ;) Actually, they much more enjoy sitting on my patio furniture.

If they get into the house, they'll die somewhere and sort of dry out. Have found a deceased anole behind my desk and a live one in the wastebasket. If you want a screen for your sliding doors, call one of the companies that puts up bird cages around here, they can probably help or tell you who can. T&D, White's Aluminum come to mind for cage installers.

I do enjoy the little creatures, they are entertaining to watch, keep bugs on the lanai to a minimum and really seem to enjoy stretching out on my outdoor furniture. I don't mind, but they do leave a little "deposit" behind. I'm going to have to leave a scrub brush and cleaner for them to clean up after themselves.

You might also take a measurement and go to Lowes or home Depot.
They both have standard sized sliding screen doors. I had to replace mine a couple years ago. Make sure you get the better quality screen as the cheaper ones are flimsy and will not hold up.

My understanding is that these anoles (mistakenly referred to as geckos) are poisonous to animals. I would keep them away from them.

If you find an anole in the house, sneak up behind him with a dish towel, toss the dish towel over the anole and wrap it gently around the anole and take him outside and shake him out so he gets back to his normal habitat. Do not pick him up by the tail as it will snap off.

It is easy and works every time.

For those that are gender challenged, replace him with her if you want.

ARE YOU SURE they aren't geckos? Last fall one of them tried to sell me insurance!:evil6:

Try this
 

Invite them in and then use ZCaveman's idea. It's so easy even a ZCaveman can do it.

:a040::a040::a040::clap2:

Geckos in the house are supposed to be good luck.

Not for the gecko! :boxing2:

I love Caveman's compassionate removal technique.

I checked "Wikianswers.com" and they say anoles are not poisonous to animals. However I don't let my dogs catch them just in case. And also because geckos are adorable and eat bugs.

:1rotfl:

Info on the Anole
 

Something to read. They ain't geckos.


http://floridagardener.com/critters/anoles.htm

Maybe not poisonous to some of you but they can carry salmonella and can harm/kill your pets.

But don't trust my info. Wait until it happens. Or ask your vet.

Anoles
 

FWIW -- I'm told that Anoles keep the spider population under control -- we have a few anoles that survived last years freeze, but no spiders -- Anoles like to come in where the screened porch meets the house, you have to seal up under the first piece of siding to keep them out of the lanai -- I prefer anoles (outside) to spiders !!!

True. They eat the spiders and other small bugs. And the ibises and snakes take care of the anoles. One year a flock of ibis (the birds with the long beaks) landed in my yard and did a job on the anoles. I went to the door to look at them and saw them doing their thing. I told the wife to stay away but she had to look and she got to see the harvesting. Not a pretty sight.

If the anoles do get into the lanai and stay awhile you will see the anole poop all over the lanai. Just a fact of life.

my husband sealed up around the base of the screen door on the lanai and we have not had a problem with anoles since. he used a tube of caulking.... watch tomorrow I will find one, we keep our doors open when the weather is nice.

Just do not let this happen!
 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c29F9HKw2QU[/ame] :jester:

That was great, Tal.....;)

I really enjoyed this. I could relate to the situation as well.
While in India, I experiences the same thing (except for it falling from the ceiling).

I didn't sleep the whole night in fear that the little guy would want to visit.

This is just a given in places like India & tropical areas.

Has anyone had a snake get in their lanai? That would be the WORST for me.

SO FUNNY TAL! Especially in that Scots accent!

2nd time this hour you made me LOL. Spouse in other room is starting to wonder...

An Indian Scot. That is a strange combination. Sort of like that Scot Japanese/Chinese man you see on a commercial. Have no idea what the commercial is for but I sure remember the man from it.

Back to the small lizards. My dog ate the first couple he caught but must no have liked the taste. Now, he just chews them until there is no sign of life and then spits them out. The ants and birds and other stuff then get the rest. He must have nabbed a few hundred by now.

Was this on your lanai or outside your home?

Mmmmmm I will take two of the suggestions...the visit to Lowe's perhaps for the screen and the caulking. The rest of the posts were just entertainment! LOL

At the risk of offending PETA types, a very simple method of zapping them once they get in the lanai is to grab a can of wasp & hornet killer and send out a short spurt at them. Works every time...and in just minutes. If you find this troublesome, then welcome them into your house...with whatever nasty stuff that accompanies them.

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/...wood/dream.jpg
Anole aka Gecko Dreams

Z-CZveman is right about the Salmonella
 

but to be fair most lizard, amphibian types have the same bacteria, That is why I had to always wash my hands after holding my pet turtle as a kid....now that was a dumb pet to have...but I liked him.

Some people are allergic to chemicals. If you don't like spraying insecticides, you could use the easy method described by Caveman:

"If you find an anole in the house, sneak up behind him with a dish towel, toss the dish towel over the anole and wrap it gently around the anole and take him outside and shake him out so he gets back to his normal habitat. Do not pick him up by the tail as it will snap off. It is easy and works every time."

Signed by a PETA type :duck:

Ah yes, I had a series of little pet turtles with painted flowers on their backs that you could buy at the dime store. (Our grandkids don't even know what a dime store is.)

Now that I have a little more information, I know those little guys are laden with salmonella.

I didn't always wash my hands when I was told to do, but I'm still here.:shrug:

AND BARE, you have the kindest heart, yes you do.

Don't harm these little guys. Use the dishtowel method. Or use the method that works in our house for all kinds of bugs and creepy crawlies:

Get a large mouth cup/glass/jar. Entrap the little beast inside by placing the cup on top of it whether on the floor or wall. Slide a paper plate under the cup slowly so that the little guy walks on top of the plate. Then hold the plate & cup firmly together, walk outside to a place safe for that particular creature, then let them go.

Our version of catch & release.

Don't the consume Other critters?

That is hilarious! Can't wait to meet you Gracie! We will be moving into our home 11/8. And be at Crispers for TOTV meeting.

thanks for allll the comments and suggestions! we ended up calling TV building supplier and got a screen for the door post/haste. It's been wonderful having the door open during this gorgeous weather. oh...and we got a can of spray/foam stuff and will close up the area by the outside door. had the house power-washed a few days ago and haven't seen a critter inside since. Wonder if there's something in the water he didn't like??!!!

So I wasn't the only one..
 

I am so glad I saw this post, I too wondered why there wasn't a screen door off the lanai especially after seeing geckos on the patio chair I sit on all the time and close to the living room entrance. Whew, thank goodness I am not the only one.....JenAjd could you post the name of or PM me with the supplier? I definitely will have screen doors installed on my lanai, as well as caulk as recommended here. Those little creepy crawly guys are so tiny, I see them running under the metal saddle on the door that leads to the outside.

Taltarzac: Thanks for the hilarious video, so entertaining! Great interpretation of what those little guys look like frozen on the lanai screen....LOL

Great info guys, thank you!

signed...creepy crawly stuff scares the crap out of me....

Oh, Lord. These are lizards. Period. They live in Florida. They eat gnats and such. Get used to them. PS: We have screens in Florida too. Zcaveman is correct. Picking one up by the tail may result in the tail snapping off. If it does you must get rid of the tail OUTSIDE. The tail will regenerate a new lizard within 48 hours.