House lizards can eat spiders and cockroaches. However, having spiders and cockroaches can be a nuisance to your home.
Since lizards can range from herbivores, omnivores to insectivores, it’s not uncommon to see them eating a spider or cockroach. For example, the Madagascar Hissing Roach is a popular treat amongst lizards because of its sweet taste.
On average, lizards can eat around 8-15 cockroaches a day. Large cockroaches will satisfy their appetite more than smaller ones.
However, herbivore lizards like iguanas don’t like eating cockroaches because they cannot digest their proteins. These lizards eat plants to survive but will only eat spiders and cockroaches if there is no alternative.
Video of lizard eating cockroach
Do Lizards Eat Spider Eggs?
Lizards do eat spider eggs on occasion. For example, monitor lizards can eat small reptiles, insects, small mammals, and eggs. Since you have a house lizard, you’re better off feeding them flies and vegetables to aid in balancing their diet.
Additionally, some spiders are poisonous. Giving your house lizard spider eggs could potentially run the risk of them getting injured. Contact a veterinarian if you notice any problems arising from your lizard after eating spider eggs.
Why Are Cockroaches Entering My Home?
Here are multiple reasons why your home is infested with cockroaches and spiders:
- Water
Like mammals, spiders and cockroaches need water to survive. Most likely, you’ll see them entering your home from faucets and leaky pipes.
- Shelter
Cockroaches view homes as a form of shelter. Depending on the cockroach species, they may live in damp areas, behind picture frames, or in areas behind your electronics. As the outside temperature decreases, cockroaches will make their way indoors. Cockroaches love to lie in quiet areas and live under large appliances, attics, and basements.
- Food
Cockroaches have an omnivore diet, meaning that they’ll eat practically anything. They tend to eat greasy food, starches, and meat. Food such as crumbs on the counter, pet food, and dirty dishes will easily draw them in.
- Location
Some locations will attract spiders and cockroaches more than others. Certain cockroaches like the American cockroach will enter through an open door or window sill before they start living in your house.
Why Are Spiders Entering My Home?
Like cockroaches, spiders are entering your home because of the shelter it provides. Spiders use your home shelter to provide and create offspring. Also, the spiders can feed on other pests that are currently living in your home. Basically, if you have a spider problem in your home, chances are there are other pest problems as well. There may be pests residing in your house that you cannot see.
Another way spiders can enter your home is by hiding behind objects. Some examples of objects spiders use are: plants, firewood, storage boxes, etc.
Because of this, check any item you bring inside for spiders. If the item has been outside for extended periods, try to sanitize it before bringing it to your home.
Spiders tend to find their way in dirty and dusty areas in your home. To prevent this, make sure that you keep your house clean to avoid a group of spiders.
Some spiders like to live in dry environments such as vents, attics, and upper corners of rooms. Areas that have a lot of clutter or are not fully visible make it easier for spiders to sneak in and hide.
How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches and Spiders
- White Vinegar
If you are worried about cockroaches and spiders, have a stash of white vinegar lying around your house. White vinegar is a natural form of pest control for spiders while still remaining harmless to humans.
White vinegar produces acetic acid, which spiders are sensitive towards. To create your own DIY vinegar spray, start by mixing an equal amount of water and vinegar into a spray bottle.
To use it properly, spray it around your home and concentrate on entrances where spiders can sneak in. Using white vinegar as a cleaning agent in your bathroom or kitchen is a great way to keep both cockroaches and spiders from your home.
- House Organization
If your house is cluttered and dirty, chances are you’ll have more cockroaches and spiders infesting it. Try organizing, stacking, and cleaning your storage areas. Also, make sure that you’re removing your recycle bin regularly and remove empty boxes you’ve saved up. Spiders love to live in areas that contain firewood, plywood, boxes, and cardboard.
- Check Your Landscaping
Even the quality of your backyard can attract spiders and cockroaches. A dirty backyard filled with plants can lead to more pests in your home.
To avoid this, make sure your home is free of grass clippings, leaves, or any other form of insect hideout. Keep the weeds trimmed and your bushes pruned back. Spiders and cockroaches are less likely to enter your home if you prevent them from entering in the first place.
- Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of algae (diatoms) with a silica outer shell. The diatom skeletons are located on the bottom of rivers, oceans, lakes, and streams. The white powder it provides is non-toxic and inexpensive, making it a great choice to repel insects if you have children and pets in your home.
The silica in diatomaceous earth will absorb the moisture out of the insects, forcing them to dehydrate. In fact, you can sprinkle diatomaceous earth in any corner where insects are present.
Additionally, you can make a spray out of DE. Mix 1 tbsp of DE with a body of water. Shake up the solution and spray any area where spiders are present. Either place a circle of DE powder around the plants or spray the plants with the new solution.
If you’re planning on using DE, make sure you avoid inhaling the dust. Mixing the DE with water will help with avoiding dust inhalation. Make sure that the DE you’re buying is food grade to get the best results.
- Citrus
Spiders can be a scary sight for most people. While most spiders can’t cause too much harm to humans, it would be easier for us to prevent them from entering our homes. With citrus, you can finally rid your home of these creepy crawlers.
Grab a spray bottle and fill it with lemon juice or lime. Spray it on surfaces where you’ll see spiders. Most of the time, the spiders will lurk on the corners in cluttered areas in your home.
- Cooking Oil
Did you know you can use cooking oil as a cockroach deterrent? Using cooking oil is a great solution if you have kids or pets in your home. Sprays can leave residue behind and is highly toxic if ingested.
Creating a cooking oil trap is easy. Grab an empty bottle of wine and fill the bottom of it with maple syrup. Then, use cooking oil and rub the top of the bottle with it. This trap will quickly repel bugs from your kitchen area and is a great way to protect your lizard from spiders and cockroaches.
Also Read
Do Lizards Eat Caterpillars? (How to Keep Lizards from Eating Caterpillars)
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