You step outside in the evening for some fresh air, maybe to water your plants or grab a drink. Then you notice them, tiny geckos clinging to the porch walls, darting across the lights, or hiding behind your flower pots.
They’re harmless, sure, but not exactly the guests you were hoping for. So, how do you actually keep geckos off your porch?
You can keep geckos off your porch by cutting off their food sources, dimming outdoor lights, sealing cracks, and using gentle natural repellents like coffee grounds or essential oils. Geckos aren’t sneaky little villains; they’re just following the bugs. If you make your porch less appealing to insects, the geckos will leave too.
Why Geckos Love Hanging Around Porches
Porches give geckos everything they want: warmth, hiding spots, and a steady supply of bugs.
Think about it. At night, porch lights attract moths, mosquitoes, and flies. To a gecko, that’s basically a free buffet.
Add in shaded corners, cracks in the walls, and a little water nearby, and you’ve basically built a gecko paradise without even noticing.
Porches also feel safe to them. Fewer predators, steady warmth, and hiding spots under chairs or planters make it a cozy little hideout.
Your porch basically becomes a bug-filled hotel for them.
How Geckos Sneak Onto the Porch
Geckos don’t need an open door to get in. They can climb, squeeze, and stick their way in almost anywhere.
They often come through:
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Gaps under railings or steps
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Open vents or drains
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Torn or loose screens
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Cracks between the porch floor and walls
Their toes can grip smooth surfaces like glass or paint, so they can climb straight up walls and into corners you thought were unreachable.
That’s why sealing even the tiniest openings makes a big difference.
How to Make Your Porch Less Inviting
If you want geckos gone, start simple. Make your porch less appealing to bugs and geckos.
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Replace bright lights. White or blue bulbs attract tons of insects. Switch to yellow “bug lights” or warm LEDs that bring in far fewer bugs.
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Sweep often. Food crumbs, dead bugs, or even dry leaves can attract pests. Geckos follow those trails like a dinner bell.
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Clear clutter. Stacked items, shoes, or garden tools give geckos shade and hiding spots. Keep open space whenever you can.
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Check for water. Pet bowls, dripping faucets, or plant trays make tiny water spots that attract bugs and then geckos.
Keeping your porch clean and bright during the day but dim at night helps a lot.
What Natural Gecko Repellents Actually Work?
Chemical sprays can be harsh, especially on surfaces where you walk barefoot or let pets roam.
But some simple, natural tricks can help keep geckos away safely.
Garlic and Onion Spray
Crush garlic or onion, mix with water, and lightly spray along walls or railings. Humans barely notice the smell, but geckos don’t like it.
Coffee Grounds or Tobacco
Used coffee grounds work surprisingly well. Sprinkle them near corners, under chairs, or behind planters. Geckos usually steer clear.
Eggshells
Dry eggshell halves in corners look like bigger predators. Many people notice geckos stop coming back to those spots.
Peppermint or Citronella Oil
A few drops mixed with water in a spray bottle can keep both mosquitoes and geckos away.
Try one or two at a time. Too many smells at once can get overwhelming, even for you.
Should You Be Worried About Geckos on the Porch?
Not really. They might look sneaky, but geckos are clean, shy, and actually helpful. They don’t bite or chew furniture.
They eat pests like cockroaches and flies that you definitely don’t want around.
The only downside is droppings, and some people just don’t like seeing them crawl on the walls. It’s less about danger and more about comfort and cleanliness.
How to Keep Geckos Away at Night
Geckos are mostly out at night. That’s when you want your porch to feel calm and quiet.
To keep them away at night:
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Turn off or dim unnecessary lights
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Keep doors and windows closed after dark
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Move potted plants or wall decorations away from bright lights
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Use motion-sensor lights if you need visibility
Even dimming the lights a little can cut down on insects fast and when the bugs leave, the geckos follow.
What About Ultrasonic Devices?
You might see devices that claim to keep geckos away using sound waves. Some people say they work, others notice nothing.
If you try one, make sure it’s:
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Made for outdoor use
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Safe for pets and kids
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Plugged in near the spots geckos usually appear
It can help if you use it with other steps, but it usually isn’t enough on its own.
How to Safely Remove Geckos Already Living on Your Porch
If geckos are already there, don’t panic or try to grab them. Their tails can fall off if they get scared, and even though they grow back, it stresses the gecko.
Try this gentle approach:
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Open a side or door so they have a clear way out
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Guide them with soft movements, like nudging with a broom or cloth, don’t hit them
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Clean the area after with vinegar or peppermint oil spray
They’ll leave if your porch feels unsafe or uncomfortable.
How to Seal Gaps and Entry Points
Porches often have tiny gaps you barely notice, but geckos can find them.
Check for:
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Cracks near floorboards or steps
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Loose or torn screens
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Open vents or drains
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Unsealed spots around lights or sockets
Seal them with silicone caulk or fine mesh. Fewer paths means geckos give up faster.
Can You Keep Geckos Away Without Harming Them?
Yes. Geckos actually help keep insect numbers down, so the goal isn’t to hurt them, just to keep them off your porch.
Cleaning, adjusting lights, and natural repellents work best. They don’t poison or trap geckos, they just make your porch less interesting.
Once it’s uninviting, geckos move somewhere else.
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
It depends on how many geckos you have and how appealing your porch is.
Usually, once you reduce lights and food, you’ll see fewer geckos within a week. In two or three weeks, most won’t show up at all.
It’s not instant, but it lasts longer than temporary “scare” tricks.
How to Keep Your Porch Gecko-Free
Once your porch is clear, keeping it that way is simple.
Weekly:
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Sweep porch and corners
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Wipe surfaces with mild vinegar spray
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Check lights and trim plants
Monthly:
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Reapply your natural repellent
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Check for new cracks or gaps
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Replace worn-out screens
The cleaner and drier your porch stays, the less reason geckos have to return.
What If You Like Seeing Geckos, Just Not on the Porch?
Some people enjoy watching geckos but want them in the garden, not where they sit.
You can guide them by:
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Keeping a part of the yard lit at night, away from your porch
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Putting flat stones or plant pots near that light, they’ll hunt there
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Spraying repellents only around your porch, not the whole yard
That way, they still eat insects, just not near your seating area.
When Geckos Keep Coming Back
Sometimes, a few stubborn geckos keep showing up. That’s normal.
It takes time for them to “unlearn” that your porch used to have food. Keep cleaning, controlling lights, and using repellents.
Eventually, they’ll give up. Remember, they’re not trying to invade, they’re just following bugs.
Conclusion
Geckos might look like little troublemakers, but really, they’re just going where food, warmth, and shelter exist.
By removing what attracts them (bugs, lights, clutter, and water) you can gently encourage them to move on.
You don’t need harsh chemicals or traps. A few small, consistent changes make your porch a place for you again, not for darting tails and clicking sounds at night.
Keep your porch bright by day, calm at night, and clean all around, and soon the geckos will quietly leave.
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.