As a homeowner and gardener, you want to protect your property from pests and critters that can cause damage. Skinks, in particular, can be a nuisance with their ability to squeeze into tight spaces and munch on garden plants. While skinks play an important role in local ecosystems, having an infestation around your home is no fun.

In this guide, we'll explore different methods for safely and humanely repelling skinks.

Understanding Skink Behavior

To keep skinks away, it helps to understand what attracts them in the first place. There are over 1,500 species of skinks worldwide occupying diverse habitats from deserts to tropical rainforests. The species most likely to turn up uninvited around your home include:

• Five-lined skinks
• Blue-tongued skinks
• Ground skinks
• Garden skinks

Skinks are diurnal, meaning they hunt for food during the day. At night, they seek shelter in nooks, crannies, debris piles, and dense vegetation.

A skink's diet depends on the species, but many favor small invertebrates like snails, crickets, and grasshoppers. They also feed on vegetable matter, especially fruits and berries. Where food and shelter are abundant, skinks will thrive.

By identifying potential food sources and hiding spots, you can start modifying the habitat around your home to be less enticing. Now let's look at some ways to deter skinks once they move in.

Natural Skink Repellents

For an eco-friendly first line of defense, turn to naturally occurring skink repellents:

Unpleasant fragrances - Strong scents from herbs like lavender, rosemary, mint, garlic, and marigolds can deter skinks. Grow these plants around vulnerable areas or use the essential oils to make your own skink-repelling sprays.

Diatomaceous earth - The powdery remains of ancient sea creatures have microscopic jagged edges that irritate soft skink bellies when crossed. Apply a thin layer along possible entry points. Reapply after rain or watering.

Coffee grounds - Used coffee grounds scattered in garden beds create an unpleasant texture for skinks slithering through. The caffeine may also have some repellent effects.

Predator urine - The smell of natural skink predators like foxes, coyotes, bobcats will make them think twice about hanging around. Look for predator urine products at garden centers.

Onion and garlic - Chopped onions and garlic blended with water make a stinky natural spray. Reapply frequently.

Chili pepper - Cayenne and other hot peppers can irritate skink skin and eyes. Use gloves when preparing homemade chili repellent!

Physical Barriers

Prevent skinks from getting cozy by modifying their access points:

• Install door sweeps on exterior doors
• Seal gaps around windows and foundations
• Cover vents and drain pipes with fine mesh
• Use sheet metal flashing around the base of sheds and other structures
• Clear ivy, brush piles, and debris from foundation walls

Hardware cloth fencing sunk several inches into the ground can keep skinks from burrowing their way in.

Commercial Repellents

When natural options have failed, commercial skink repellents offer proven results:

Peppermint oil - Products containing peppermint oil deter skinks with the strong scent while also being safe for families and pets when applied properly.

Garlic juice - Concentrated garlic juice repels skinks and also works against aphids in the garden.

Cinnamon oil - Cinnamon oil provides a one-two punch driving away skinks with odor while also disguising the scent of their prey.

Silica gel - This desiccant dries out skink skin on contact forcing them to flee. The sharp granules also deter burrowing.

Predator scents - Repellents mimicking coyote, fox, and bobcat territorial markings signal danger to skinks.

Follow label instructions carefully when using commercial products. Avoid spraying directly into garden beds and rinse any overspray off edible plants.

For severe infestations, seek advice from a professional pest control service that uses humane skink removal practices.

Maintaining a Skink-Resistant Perimeter

Ongoing maintenance is key to keeping skinks from regaining a foothold on your property:

• Keep compost enclosed and garden waste cleared quickly
• Remove piles of wood, bricks, and debris
• Store garbage securely and rinse cans and bottles before recycling
• Pick ripe fruits and vegetables promptly
• Fill in holes around structures and fencing
• Trim ground cover and brush back from the foundation
• Mow and rake frequently

A skink-resistant perimeter extends up trees and structures where they like to climb. Trim branches back from roofs and install sheet metal bands around tree trunks to block upward slithering.

When Skinks Move In Anyway

Even highly skink-resistant properties may still end up with a casual visitor now and then. Before grabbing a broom, remember that skinks are harmless and won't try to hurt you.

Gently encourage unwanted houseguests to leave:

• Use a broom or brush to gently herd a skink towards an open door or window.
• Create an exit path by placing boards leading outside. Skinks will follow the cover to escape.
• Provide a ramp or vertical board on the outside of windows for trapped skinks to climb down and away.

For skinks ending up in window wells without an escape route, safely catch the critter with gloves or a towel and release into nearby foliage.

Coexisting with Nature's Pest Controllers

While keeping your home skink-free is important, remember these reptiles play a vital role controlling insect populations. They deserve humane treatment even when labeled as pests.

When possible, appreciate skinks from a distance for their colorful scales, comical scurrying, and skillful hunting abilities. Protect your property without causing harm and you can peacefully coexist.

With persistence and an integrated pest management approach, you can maintain skink-free living spaces while still enjoying nature's remarkable biodiversity beyond your own backyard.