Why You Should Never Chase Away This Creature If You Find One Inside Your House
Why We Should Never Chase Away House Geckos and Lizards
Some animals have superpowers — and geckos are example! Starting with their sticky toe pads and their ability to cling to walls and ceilings, ending with their exceptional nocturnal color vision. When people see geckos in their garden, many want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Here are 5 reasons you should stop doing this.
Geckos can feed on dangerous insects.
All reptiles are believed by some people to be dangerous. There are many reptiles that are not dangerous to humans, and some species can even be beneficial — just like common house geckos. They feed on insects that can often be harmful — cockroaches, moths, flies, spiders, termites, and wasps.
If geckos live in your garden, it probably means it’s an ecologically clean area.
Many chemicals can be toxic for geckos, so if these reptiles come to your place — it’s a good sign. It means that your garden is ecologically-friendly. And insects can evolve to resist insecticides, so they might either never leave your garden at all or come back to it as soon as the insecticides evaporate. Therefore, a more natural way to get rid of these pests in the garden is to let the geckos do their job.
Geckos won’t eat anything from your garden, unlike birds
These nimble tailed creatures won’t eat any berries, fruits or vegetables in your garden. That’s where they differ from birds which also feed on pests, but who also like the berries or edible fruits you might be growing. Birds may seem sweeter and more harmless, but in reality, they can simply peck up your entire crop, while lizards, on the contrary, can protect it.
They aren’t dangerous to humans.
It might seem like geckos have superpowers because they can crawl up the ceilings and make weird noises during the night, but they’re actually not that scary at all. Common house geckos are not venomous and pose no threat to humans (though they can bite when distressed), and they actually provide a service by feeding on pests around and outside your house.
Geckos can carry salmonella, which is easy to avoid.
Geckos can transmit salmonella, just like many other reptiles. And it’s not through biting, but through their feces. So if you find gecko excrement on something, you should wash it off well and, of course, you shouldn’t kiss them (or cats, dogs, and other animals).
Geckos, small nocturnal lizards with remarkable abilities, are an incredibly beneficial presence both for natural ecosystems and for people living close to nature. Although many see them as unwanted or even creepy creatures, they actually provide valuable services to their surrounding environment. First and foremost, geckos are natural predators of many common household pests, such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, moths, flies, and spiders. Their diet makes them ideal “guardians” of homes and gardens, reducing harmful insect populations without the need for toxic chemical insecticides. In addition, their presence is often an indicator of a healthy, ecologically balanced environment, as they tend to inhabit areas with low pollution and limited chemical exposure. Their bodies are adapted for survival on vertical surfaces and ceilings, thanks to specialized toe pads covered in microscopic hair-like structures that create strong adhesion. Although their distinctive chirping sounds might startle someone at night, geckos are not aggressive animals and pose no threat to humans. On the contrary, they live peacefully alongside us, without harming plants, fruits, or buildings — unlike birds or rodents, which may cause damage despite also preying on insects. It’s worth noting that, like all reptiles, geckos can carry salmonella, but transmission only occurs through contact with their droppings, which can easily be managed with basic hygiene. The misconception that geckos are harmful often leads to their unnecessary removal or extermination, which disrupts the natural balance of the local ecosystem. Understanding their importance and choosing to protect them can yield significant benefits for human health and biodiversity alike. Instead of chasing them away or killing them, perhaps it’s time we start welcoming geckos as valuable, silent partners in our fight against insects and the diseases they can spread. Geckos serve as a reminder that nature often provides its own solutions to problems that humans attempt to solve with artificial means. Through respect and observation, we can learn to coexist peacefully with creatures we once feared or ignored. It’s time to see geckos not as a threat, but as helpful allies working quietly for the greater good.