Geckos

Lydia C. Egunnike <l.egunnike [at] snark__slq__qld__gov__au> writes

>One of our collection areas has become home to a colony of geckos.
>As these little chaps can excrete a white alkaline substance, we are
>obviously concerned. They appear to have set up camp in the false
>ceiling.  Does anyone know how we can get rid of them ? I would
>prefer a humane technique if possible.

The white substance is the metabolic byproduct from the kidneys in
the form of uric acid.  I don't know what the pH of it is, but it is
fairly acidic.

There are several kinds of geckos that adapt well to life with
humans. They are present because they have a food source nearby. The
only efficient way to get rid of the geckos is to get rid of their
food supply.  Geckos are insectivores, so whatever they are eating
may also be a potential collection pest.

In addition to using an integrated pest management approach to
getting rid of the geckos food supply, you might also consider
removing the false ceiling, thereby limiting their hiding places,
and try to caulk up all openings in the walls and roof where they
might get in.  Geckos are harmless creatures, so you could also try
catching them and removing them from the building entirely, although
you will likely be "reinfested" unless you remove their food supply.

As with control of spiders, it is really a pest management issue.
Once you limit food supply and hiding places, the geckos will go
away.

John Simmons
Division of Herpetology
Natural History Museum
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas 66045

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 12:45
               Distributed: Wednesday, November 18, 1998
                       Message Id: cdl-12-45-002
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