Wild Lizards?
Posted by Cathy Morris on August 16, 2006
Q: I found wild lizards in my backyard and also baby lizards with bright blue tail...Now I found one in my basement. My questions is how do you get rid of them, how do they get into my basement, and are they dangerous?
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: Missouri
Habitat: suburban/yard
A: The lizards with blue tails are young Five-lined Skinks. Northern Fence Lizards are fairly common in Missouri — they are quite scaly, while skinks appear smooth and shiny. The only way you can keep them out of your basement is by completely sealing around the foundation, but skinks are capable of getting in through the smallest of holes — it would be a difficult if not impossible task. The good news is that they are completely harmless, and perhaps even beneficial in that they eat insects and spiders.
Solon Morse ( August 18, 2006)