White Paper: Innovation in Lizard Control — Development of a Human-Friendly, Pet-Safe, and Eco-Friendly Organic Repellent

Article Sidebar

White Paper: Innovation in Lizard Control — Development of a Human-Friendly, Pet-Safe, and Eco-Friendly Organic Repellent
Published: 24-07-2026

Main Article Content

Dr. HC. Stelson F. Quadros
Ms. Aneshwa Hazra
Mr. Sohan Kundu
Mr. Amol Muni
Ms. Sheetal S. Shetty

Abstract

This white paper introduces a novel triangular, corner-fit adhesive trap developed specifically for the management of House Geckos (Hemidactylus frenatus, H. brookii and related species) in residential, hospitality and commercial environments. Unlike traditional flat glue boards, which align poorly with gecko locomotion patterns, this design exploits the natural movement of geckos along wall-floor junctions and corners [21].


The product addresses three long-standing gaps in lizard control:


1.     Efficacy: By aligning with gecko behaviour, the trap demonstrates higher encounter and capture rates compared with conventional rectangular adhesive boards [7].


2.     Safety: Non-toxic adhesives and VOC-free composition make the trap suitable for sensitive environments such as kitchens, food storage areas and healthcare facilities [15].


3.     Ethical considerations: The design minimizes indiscriminate use and is intended strictly for synanthropic species; non-target release protocols are included [4].


Market analysis indicates strong growth for non-chemical pest control solutions in India, with the pest control sector valued at USD 1.7 billion in 2023 and projected to surpass USD 3.0 billion by 2032 [9]. The triangular corner-fit trap offers a differentiated solution in this expanding sector.


This paper presents background on gecko biology and behaviour, limitations of existing products, design and performance details of the triangular trap, placement guidelines, competitor analysis and ethical considerations. Collectively, these elements establish the triangular corner-fit adhesive trap as a professional, scientifically informed and commercially viable advancement in lizard control technology.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): Volume 1, Issue 1

Section

White Papers
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

White Paper: Innovation in Lizard Control — Development of a Human-Friendly, Pet-Safe, and Eco-Friendly Organic Repellent. (2026). PestBytes Journal, 1(1). https://pestbytes.com/index.php/pestbytesjournal/article/view/5

References

1. Arnold, E. N. (1984). Evolutionary aspects of tail shedding in lizards and their relatives. Journal of Natural History, 18 (1), 127-169. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222938400770131

2. Autumn, K., & Peattie, A. M. (2002). Mechanisms of adhesion in geckos. Integrative and comparative biology, 42 (6), 1081-1090. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/42.6.1081

3. Autumn, K., Liang, Y. A., Hsieh, S. T., Zesch, W., Chan, W. P., Kenny, T. W., Fearing, R., & Full, R. J. (2000). Adhesive force of a single gecko foot-hair. Nature, 405 (6787), 681-685. https://doi.org/10.1038/35015073

4. Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) (2011). Advisory on the use of glue traps for rodents. Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India.

5. Daniel, J.C. (2002). The Book of Indian Reptiles and Amphibians.

6. Das I. & Das A. (2021). Reptiles of India.

7. Gamble T., Greenbaum E., Jackman T. R., Bauer A. M. (2015). Into the light: diurnality has evolved multiple times in geckos. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 115 (4), 896-910. https://doi.org/10.1111/bij.12536

8. Huey R. B., Niewiarowski P. H., Kaufmann J. & Herron J. C. (1989). Thermal biology of nocturnal ectotherms: Is Sprint Performance of Geckos Maximal at Low Body Temperatures? Physiological Zoology; 62 (2). https://doi.org/10.1086/physzool.62.2.30156181

9. IMARC Group (2024). India pest control market report. IMARC Group.

10. Marcellini, D. L. (1971). Activity Patterns of the Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus. Copeia, 1971(4), 631–635. https://doi.org/10.2307/1442631

11. Marcellini, D. L. (1976). Some Aspects of the Thermal Ecology of the Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus. Herpetologica, 32 (3), 341-345. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3891466

12. Marcellini D. L. (1977). The function of a vocal display of the lizard Hemidactylus frenatus (Sauria: Gekkonidae). Animal Behaviour, 25 (2), 414-417. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-3472(77)90016-1.

13. Perry G., Buchanan B. W., Fisher R. N., Salmon M. & Wise S. E. (2008). Effects of artificial night lighting on amphibians and reptiles in urban environments. Herpetological Conservation and Biology; 3 (2): 113-131.

14. Pianka E. R. & Vitt L. J. (2003). Lizards: Windows to the evolution of diversity. University of California Press.

15. Roth, L. S., & Kelber, A. (2004). Nocturnal colour vision in geckos. Proceedings. Biological sciences, 271 Suppl 6 (Suppl 6), S485-S487. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2004.0227

16. Russell A. P. (2002). Integrative functional morphology of the gekkotan adhesive system (reptilia: gekkota). Integrative and comparative biology, 42 (6), 1154-1163. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/42.6.1154

17. Tikader B. K. & Sharma R. C. (1992). Handbook of Indian lizards. Zoological Survey of India.

18. Tkaczenko G., Fischer A. & Weterings R. (2014). Prey preference of the Common House Geckos Hemidactylus frenatus and Hemidactylus platyurus. Herpetology Notes, 7, 482-488.

19. Werner Y. L. (1990). Habitat-dependent thermal regimes of two Hawaiian geckos (Reptilia: Gekkonidae). Journal of Thermal Biology, 15 (3-4), 281-290. https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4565(90)90014-9.

20. Whiting M. J., Stuart-Fox D. M., O'Connor D., Firth D., Bennett N. C., Blomberg S. P. (2006). Ultraviolet signals ultra-aggression in a lizard. Animal Behaviour, 72 (2), 353-363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2005.10.018.

21. Zoological Survey of India. (2021). Checklist of reptiles of India. ZSI, Kolkata.