What Do Geckos in Florida Eat? (Their Favorite Foods

If you’ve ever turned on your porch light on a warm Florida night, you’ve probably noticed a little pale lizard stuck to the wall. Its eyes catch the light, and it stays perfectly still until, snap!, it grabs an insect in the blink of an eye.

You might be wondering, what exactly do these geckos eat to stay so active on Florida’s humid evenings?

Geckos in Florida eat all sorts of insects and small bugs, basically whatever they can catch. From moths to mosquitoes, they take advantage of the warm nights and all the bugs flying around. The light, heat, and humid air give them a never-ending buffet.

The Geckos Of Florida: Who Are We Talking About?

Before we get into their diet, it helps to know who these geckos are. Florida has a few different kinds, but most aren’t originally from here.

The one you’ll see most often is the Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia).

This small grayish-brown lizard came from Africa, spread through the Caribbean, and eventually got to Florida.

You’ll also find Mediterranean House Geckos, Tokay Geckos, and Indo-Pacific Geckos in some spots.

All of them have one thing in common, they’re great climbers. You’ll see them on walls, windows, and ceilings, usually near lights where insects gather.

That’s their favorite hunting spot.

Why Geckos Love Florida’s Nights

Florida’s warm, humid nights are heaven for insects, and that means heaven for geckos too.

The air buzzes with moths, mosquitoes, beetles, and other little bugs. Geckos don’t have to go far to find food.

Porch lights, street lamps, and window screens turn into perfect feeding spots. The glow draws in the bugs, and geckos wait quietly nearby.

That’s why you’ll often see them frozen near a bulb, they’re not resting, they’re waiting for their next meal.

What Do Geckos In Florida Actually Eat?

Here’s what they usually go after:

1. Moths and Butterflies (Nocturnal Ones Especially): Geckos love fluttering insects. Moths hang around lights, and their slow flight and soft bodies make them easy to catch.

2. Mosquitoes: Florida has plenty of mosquitoes, and geckos help keep them under control. They catch them in the air or while they’re resting on walls.

3. Small Flies and Gnats: These tiny bugs are everywhere near food waste or damp spots. Geckos grab them with quick flicks of their sticky tongues.

4. Beetles and Roaches: Not all geckos eat hard-shelled bugs, but bigger ones like Tokay Geckos will crunch through beetles and small cockroaches.

5. Spiders and Other Arachnids: If it moves and fits in their mouth, geckos eat it. Spiders are easy meals, especially house spiders wandering at night.

6. Ants and Termites: These are less common, but smaller geckos that live near the ground will eat them if they find them.

Basically, if it buzzes, crawls, or flutters in Florida’s night air, a gecko will probably go after it.

How Geckos Hunt: Quiet, Still, And Fast

Watching a gecko hunt is really interesting. They move slowly, sometimes freezing completely when they spot movement. Then, when the moment’s right, they strike.

Their sticky toe pads are the secret. They let geckos cling to almost any surface, walls, glass, even ceilings. These pads have tiny hairs that create a strong grip.

That means a gecko can hang upside down over a lamp and snatch a moth without falling. It’s quick, quiet, and exact.

Do Florida Geckos Eat Anything Other Than Bugs?

Sometimes, but not a lot. Some geckos are omnivores, which means they might eat fruit or nectar now and then.

Florida’s common geckos mostly stick to insects. In captivity, owners might feed them fruit puree or special gecko food with plant sugars.

In the wild, they might lick some nectar if it’s on the same surface as bugs, but that’s more curiosity than actual preference.

How Florida’s Seasons Change What Geckos Eat

Florida doesn’t get truly cold, but the seasons still affect bugs, and geckos.

• Summer: Bugs are everywhere. Geckos are active all night, feeding on moths, flies, and roaches.

• Winter: Nights are cooler, insect numbers drop, and geckos slow down. You might still see them near warm walls or indoor lights where bugs hang out.

Basically, they eat what’s around. If there are fewer bugs, they move less, but Florida rarely runs out completely.

Do Baby Geckos Eat The Same Bugs As Adults?

Baby geckos, called hatchlings, eat the same kinds of food but in smaller sizes. Tiny flies, fruit gnats, and baby crickets are perfect for them.

They grow fast, so they eat often, sometimes several times each night. They need protein to grow, shed their skin, and build strong tails.

Adults still need protein but go for bigger bugs less often. One big moth can fill an adult for hours.

How Geckos Help Florida Homes And Gardens

Geckos might seem like unexpected house guests, but they’re actually helpful. They eat mosquitoes, flies, and small roaches; bugs humans find annoying.

A few geckos around a porch can really cut down on bugs. They rarely cause problems. They don’t chew wires, spread disease, or damage furniture.

At most, they might leave tiny droppings near windows, a small price for free pest control.

Why Some People Think Geckos Are Lucky

In many cultures, geckos are seen as lucky. In parts of Asia and the Pacific, having one around the house is thought to bring protection and good luck.

In Florida, even though they aren’t native, people are used to them.

Watching one climb a wall or hunt under a light is like seeing a little piece of the wild in the city.

What Happens If A Gecko Can’t Find Enough Food?

It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes bug numbers drop, like during storms or cold fronts. Geckos slow down to save energy.

They can survive low-energy times. Some can go days without eating, especially if it’s cool.

They rely on fat stored in their tails, which is why a healthy gecko’s tail looks thick.

When things get better, they start hunting again and restore what they lost.

How Geckos Compete And Share Space

You might see several geckos on one wall, under a porch light, or in a garden. They’re not social, but they tolerate each other if food is plenty.

When food or space is tight, they get territorial. A dominant gecko might chase others away with fast movements or tail gestures.

It’s not about hurting each other, it’s about keeping enough hunting room.

Can You Feed Wild Geckos In Florida?

Some people like to watch geckos and want to help by giving them food. That’s okay, but it’s not really needed.

If you want to help them naturally, you can:

• Keep an outdoor light on near a wall (bugs will come).

• Avoid pesticides, which kill their food.

• Keep garden plants, which attract bugs naturally.

This helps geckos without changing the way they hunt.

Do Geckos Eat Each Other?

Not usually, but sometimes, bigger geckos might eat smaller ones. This mostly happens with Tokay Geckos, which are big and more aggressive.

Tropical House Geckos and Mediterranean House Geckos mostly avoid each other.

Eating other geckos isn’t normal, but if food is really scarce, it can happen.

What About Indoor Geckos?

Some geckos wander inside when chasing insects. Inside, they’ll eat:

• Houseflies

• Small spiders

• Gnats

• Ants

If you see one, it’s chasing bugs, not you. Once the bugs are gone, it usually leaves on its own. They don’t harm furniture or people, they quietly do your pest control for free.

How Geckos Digest Their Food

After catching a bug, a gecko swallows it whole. Stomach acid breaks it down, shell and all.

Digestion is faster in warm weather, slower in cool. If you watch a gecko under a warm porch light after eating, that heat helps it digest.

After a few hours, it’s ready to hunt again.

How Geckos Affect Florida’s Ecosystem

Even though most geckos in Florida aren’t native, they’re part of the food web now.

They eat bugs that might spread disease or damage crops. In turn, snakes, birds, and bigger lizards sometimes eat geckos.

They haven’t caused major harm to native species. Instead, they’ve found their place in cities, living where few native lizards remain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Florida geckos eat? Florida geckos eat a mix of small insects and other bugs they find around homes and gardens. Their meals include mosquitoes, ants, flies, moths, and small spiders. Sometimes they even eat roaches or tiny beetles.

They hunt mostly at night, using quick movements and sharp eyesight to spot prey near lights or walls.

Conclusion

Geckos in Florida are small but interesting survivors. They live on walls, under porch lights, and in gardens, sharing the same spaces we do.

They eat moths, mosquitoes, beetles, and spiders, quietly helping control pests without asking for anything. Florida’s warmth and constant insect life keep them busy all year.

Next time you see a gecko frozen near your porch light, take a closer look. You’re watching a hunter at work, patient, quiet, and perfectly built for Florida’s endless summer nights.