Can lizards be killed by cockroach spray?

Lizards are not as dangerous as pop culture may have made you think. Though often portrayed as sneaky, dangerous, and extremely scary creatures in movies like Spider-man, these pests are quite the opposite. 

They are considered quite helpful when it comes to pest control in that they consume a fair share of unwanted pests like cockroaches, beetles, ants, flies, slugs, and even crickets. 

But most people are afraid of these non-poisonous pests. And the first thing that comes to mind when you spot a lizard crawling on your walls is 'can cockroach spray kill lizards?'  After all, you probably have a good number of cockroach sprays under the kitchen sink. 

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So, Can Cockroach Spray Kill Lizards?

Cockroach spray can kill lizards and repel them from your home, but not as fast as you may wish. That's because the chemical composition in a cockroach spray is not designed for lizards and may not be potent enough to kill it instantly.

To kill a lizard using a cockroach spray, the lizard would have to consume/inhale large quantities of the spray or absorb it via its skin, which means that you must spray the pesticide generously and directly on the lizard. 

Lizards have a low metabolic rate, making it impossible to detoxify the pesticide poison fast enough to save their lives. Cockroach spray sends this insect-eater to its deathbed slowly by first paralyzing its system, causing breathing problems and eventually killing it.

House lizards rely on speed for survival. They have specialized their skills, and you'll need to do this quickly for you to kill one. But don't go chasing after a lizard while spraying- that's seriously ridiculous and dangerous!

Can Cockroach Spray Kill Garden Lizards?

Garden lizards have special feet that allow them to run super fast while creating air bubbles that keep them afloat. So if you need to be fast to kill house lizards using cockroach spray, you need to be twice as fast here. 

Additionally, garden lizards are quite fearful and cautious, which means they will crawl into hiding immediately they sense your presence. They hide in dark corners, making it pretty difficult to spot and spray them. 

If you're lucky to spray a garden lizard, the poison is effective enough to repel it. And if you spray a generous amount directly on the pesky pest, the poison makes it dizzy, giving you an opportunity to get rid of it. 

But keep in mind that spraying one or two lizards will not stop others from coming into your garden. The best thing to do is get the most effective lizard control equipment or seek help from a reptile control specialist. 

Cockroach Spray May Be Harmful To Lizard Pets

Although it may not kill your cute little pet, cockroach spray may harm lizards. The chemicals in cockroach spray are designed to kill or harm pests. They are especially toxic for your lizard pets when inhaled,  posing them to life-threatening risks. 

A big lizard may only experience minor discomforts that will soon disappear. But a smaller lizard will show immediate negative effects, and continuous spraying will make it sick, and eventually, it'll die. 

So what if you have a cockroach infestation in the same house your lizard pet lives in? There's a way around it. All you need to do is ensure you're not spraying the insecticide in front of the lizard. 

Can Lizards Bite While You Are Spraying Them? Do They Even Have Teeth?

Like most other pests, Lizards have developed a defense mechanism, and biting is one of them.

If they feel endangered or cornered, they will bite the predator, even if it's you trying to spray it. 

But naturally, these passive pests would rather avoid any confrontation with you and crawl away into hiding until the potential danger is gone. 

But be warned that some aggressive lizards like monitor lizards will show their teeth when provoked. If you try to spray them, they will attack in defense. They secrete venom, but it is not fatal to humans. 

Additionally, cockroach sprays can barely make a dent in the health of monitor lizards. So the most effective thing to do is buy a highly effective lizard spray. Cockroach spray is only effective when used to get rid of small lizards, but it will barely repel bigger ones. 

How Long Does It Take For Cockroach Spray To Kill Lizards?

The timeline depends on many factors, but generally, it takes anywhere between 6-12 hours for cockroach spray to kill lizards. 

Note that some brands make strong and highly effective cockroach sprays that may kill lizards fast. Cockroach sprays also emit a strong smell that can repel lizards as it does roaches.

Additionally, the efficacy of the spray depends on how close you are when spraying the lizard. If you spray very close and directly, the lizard will inhale a huge amount of the toxic chemical and die sooner. 

It can take as little as 10 minutes for a powerful cockroach spray to kill young lizards. That's because young lizards have a weak immune and breathing system and cannot survive for long with the chemical in/on their bodies. 

Can Lizards Die If They Eat Sprayed Cockroaches?

It's hard for a lizard to die by simply eating a sprayed cockroach. But if it continuously eats sprayed cockroaches, the toxic chemicals in the cockroach system will get into its body, make it sick and finally kill it. 

Therefore, you're strongly advised against feeding your pet lizards with sprayed cockroaches. If they repeatedly feed on the sprayed roaches, they will get sick and can die. 

How To Effectively Kill Lizards Using Cockroach Spray

If you spot a lizard in your house and are determined to kill it with the cockroach spray underneath your kitchen sink, then you must learn how to do it correctly and safely. 

First things first, you must watch your timing as lizards are pretty fast, and they won't sit around waiting for you to spray them. In fact, they will scamper for safety as soon as they sense your presence, so you must be smart. 

The best thing to do is take your time to study where the lizards spend most of their time (near lights and in the kitchen), target them and spray the pesticide directly on the pest for the best results. You must be fast throughout the process as lizards move fast.