Have you ever noticed geckos hanging around your yard or home and wondered why they’re always in certain spots? They’re not just wandering around randomly. Geckos go where they can find what they need to survive. So what are geckos attracted to?
Geckos are attracted to places with abundant food (insects), good shelter, proper warmth, and water sources. They especially love areas near lights where insects gather, warm spots for keeping their body temperature up, and hiding places where they feel safe from predators.
Understanding what attracts geckos helps explain where you’ll find them and why they choose certain areas over others.
Geckos Go Where the Food Is
The biggest thing that attracts geckos to any area is food. Geckos eat insects, so anywhere with lots of bugs will draw geckos.
Think gardens, compost piles, trash areas, or water features. Those spots usually have lots of insects. Geckos quickly figure out where the bugs are and stick around.
Some geckos can eat dozens of insects in a single night. They need food regularly to survive, so they go to the spots where insects are easy to find.
1. Lights Bring Them In… Through Insects
Geckos are attracted to lights, but not because they like light itself. Lights pull in moths, mosquitoes, beetles, and other flying insects.
Those bugs create a concentrated food source geckos can’t resist. Even one bright porch light can feed several geckos for the whole night.
Geckos learn which lights attract the most insects and come back night after night. It’s smart hunting that saves them energy.
2. Warm Spots Keep Geckos Moving
Geckos are cold-blooded, which means they can’t make their own heat. They need warmth from their surroundings to stay active.
Warm walls, sun-heated rocks, areas near heaters, or anything that stays warm attracts them. These spots help them stay at the right temperature to hunt and digest food.
On cool nights or during cold months, you’ll see geckos clustering in the warmest spots they can find. Warmth is very important for them.
3. Safe Hiding Spots Attract Geckos
Geckos need places to hide during the day and escape predators. They love spots with lots of cover.
Cracks in walls, gaps under roof tiles, spaces in wood, thick plants, or piles of rocks give them hiding places. The more spots like that, the more likely geckos will hang around.
Hiding spots also protect them from harsh weather. They need a way to escape hot sun, rain, or wind.
4. Water Attracts Geckos
Geckos don’t drink a lot of water, but they still need moisture. They’re drawn to places with reliable water.
Leaky faucets, pet bowls, puddles, ponds, or humid areas all attract geckos. Some drink droplets, while others even soak in small puddles.
Geckos in dry areas need to find water regularly to avoid getting dehydrated. Any water source is very appealing to them.
5. Rough Surfaces for Climbing Attract Geckos
Even though many geckos can climb smooth surfaces with their special toe pads, they like rough surfaces better.
Rough walls, tree bark, stones, and textured building materials are easier for them to grip and make them feel safer.
Smooth glass or metal isn’t as attractive unless there’s really good food nearby. Geckos will use it if they have to, but they usually stick to better climbing spots.
6. Areas With Other Geckos Attract Geckos
During breeding season, geckos go to places where they can find mates. Males go where they hear females.
Females go where males are calling and defending good spots. A male with lots of food, hiding places, and warmth is very attractive to females.
Young geckos also learn by watching older ones. If they see adults doing well in an area, they’re more likely to stay there too.
7. Gardens Are Geckos’ Favorite
Well-kept gardens are like magnets for geckos. Gardens give them everything they need: insects, hiding spots, moisture, and safety.
Dense plants give places to hide. Flowers attract insects. Garden lights bring even more bugs at night.
Organic gardens without pesticides are extra attractive because they have more insects. Geckos really thrive in these spots.
8. Buildings Too Attract Geckos
Houses, sheds, garages, and other buildings attract geckos for lots of reasons. They offer shelter from weather and predators.
Small gaps in walls make perfect hiding spots. Warm walls attract them on cool nights.
Buildings usually have lights that attract insects too, so they’re great hunting grounds. That’s why house geckos are so common around people.
9. Compost and Trash Areas Attract Geckos
This might not seem nice to humans, but geckos love compost and trash. These spots are full of insects like flies, beetles, and roaches.
The decomposing matter also gives off warmth, attracting bugs and geckos. It’s the perfect combo of food and heat.
You’ll often see several geckos hanging around compost bins in the early evening when insects are most active.
10. Temperature Matters
Different gecko species like different temperatures, but most stick to spots between 75-90°F (24-32°C).
Places that stay in this range at night are very attractive. Geckos avoid spots that are too cold or too hot.
Geckos move around at night to stay in their preferred temperature zones.
11. Quiet, Safe Areas Attract Geckos
Geckos can handle noise, but they prefer quiet spots where they won’t be constantly disturbed.
Areas with less foot traffic, fewer predators, and less activity are more attractive. They feel safer and can focus on hunting.
Even near humans, geckos get used to normal household noise. They’ll tolerate some activity if the area has food and shelter.
12. Moisture and Humidity Attract Geckos
Some geckos need more humidity than others, but most like areas with at least some moisture.
Humid spots help them avoid drying out and make shedding easier. Bathrooms, kitchens, and areas near water usually attract geckos.
Very dry spots are less appealing unless there’s really good food. Most geckos avoid dry areas if they have better options.
13. Wood Piles and Stacks Attract Geckos
Stacks of firewood, building materials, or stored items make great spots for geckos. The gaps give hiding places and shelter.
These areas also attract insects, giving geckos food. Stacked materials hold warmth from the day, keeping geckos comfortable at night.
Old, quiet wood piles are extra attractive because insects and other small creatures have built stable ecosystems there.
What Do Geckos Avoid?
Understanding what repels geckos is just as important as knowing what attracts them.
Geckos stay away from areas with strong chemical smells, pesticides, and harsh cleaning products.
They avoid open spots with no shelter. Bright lights that don’t attract insects are skipped too.
Areas with lots of predators (cats, big birds, snakes) are less attractive even if there’s food. The risk is too high.
How Gecko Preferences Change with the Seasons
What geckos like changes with the seasons. During warm months, geckos spread out more and explore different areas as food becomes more common.
In cooler months, geckos gather in the warmest spots. They might all go near heat sources or inside buildings.
Breeding season makes males especially drawn to good territories they can defend. Females are attracted to areas where they hear males calling.
What About Pet Geckos?
Pet geckos in tanks are drawn to the same things (food, warmth, shelter, and water) but their choices are limited to what the enclosure gives them.
Pet geckos often develop favorites for certain hiding spots in their tank. They also learn feeding schedules and go to the places where food usually appears.
Conclusion
Geckos go where they can find what they need to survive : plenty of insects to eat, warmth to stay active, safe hiding spots, and water.
Knowing what attracts them explains why you see them in certain areas. They’re not just wandering, they’re looking for spots that help them survive.
Whether you want to attract geckos to help control pests or understand why they’re around, knowing what draws them gives you the tools to manage your space.
Hi, my name is Ezra Mushala, i have been interested animals all my life. I am the main author and editor here at snakeinformer.com.