Geckos Again

[stevebags]

Hello all, I am following up on two postings and the associated replies:
Mon May 12, 2008 12:42 am Post subject: Lizards in the home? and
Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:22 am Post subject: Pests! Ugh!

Some of the replies made me LOL, so feel free to poke fun at me too. Thru all of your replies, I still could not find out whether they are harmless as far as their poo is concerned. Will it hurt my kids? Yes I know there are micro-organisms on my skin that poo on me, but small poo is different.

Also when I was in Mexico, they used to eat my fruit at night. I always had bites out of my apples and bananas. I had to hide them in the microwave.

Does it matter whether I keep my windows shut or not as far as keeping them out? I would hate to have to do that. If they are harmless, I will just ignore them.

Thank you.

[durain]

have a read this then...

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/forum/ftopic52963.html

[stevebags]

Thanks durain.

When I used the search field, I just put in "Geckos" so the hex topic did not show up.

[durain]

give the egg shell a try and report back if you can.

[stevebags]

I am thinking about that, my only worry is that they will attract other pests. I assume you crack the egg, make the omlet, perhaps rinse the shell, but leave that clear skin in there, let it dry and then crunch it up?
I will give it a whirl.

Does that mean the geckos inside will not leave because the window is the only egress and now has egg shells on it?

[Matney]

Your windows and doors, as well as vents and A/C would all need to be airtight and then you may be able to keep your place gecko free. Doubtful though.

[sundaymorningstaple]

To completely rid you house of geckos you would probably have to totally fumigate the place with a fogging bomb which means you would have to leave the house for several hours. Even then, you would only kill those currently running around. Unless you removed every place where they could hid and lay their eggs, you would probably have more in a month's time. The best thing is to accept the little critters as part of the "tropics" and the Expat experience. As far as kids are concerned, this island has 4 million people and I've never read of anybody dying of overconsumption of chitchat crap. Eventually they just become part of the scenery and you don't notice them until you take your pictures down and the lower edge is got a crust of doo all along the edge where it meets the wall!

Learn to co-habitate. Be one with nature.

[micknlea]

They get through spaces that look like nothing would get through, so keep your windows open and enjoy the air. A few little geckos will do you no harm, nor your children, but they will eat the mozzies and I know which I would rather have around.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Does that mean the geckos inside will not leave because the window is the only egress and now has egg shells on it?

Steve,

I don't know if that is the reason why the eggshells were in the window in the first place. I do know that they are used in this way as we recommend this to callers rather than going out to do a job that will be ineffective in the long term. If you put them in places where the little guys hang out, it removes their hangouts. If you don't want 'em in the kitchen then put them around certain areas where you often see them. I don't know the effective range of the eggshells but trial and error should suffice. Regarding the eggshells, if you want to rinse them out fine, but dont' 'wash' them or boil them as that cooks the shells and eliminates the chemical repellant. You will have to replace them occasionally.

However, you best option is to remember you are not at home, but in the tropics. Learn to live with them. They are funny little buggers and they eat bunches of mozzies. Remember, mosquitoes carry dengue and chikungunya virus which can be fatal. The mosquitoes don't have to breed in you home but they can if you are not careful. Which would you rather have?

sms

[stevebags]

Thank you all for your replies. I am just trying to educate myself on the little guys. I can live with them, I just wanted to make sure the poo was not harmful. SMS's logic makes complete sense. I am used to mouse poo carrying hantavirus, so I figured I would do some research..........