Ah—common house gecko 🦎 (the little wall ninja).
Here’s the quick, useful rundown:
Common House Gecko (Asian House Gecko)
Scientific name: Hemidactylus frenatus
What it looks like
- Small (3–5 inches long)
- Pale gray, tan, or pinkish
- Big eyes, no eyelids
- Sticky toe pads → walks on walls & ceilings
Where you’ll find them
- Warm climates (tropics & subtropics)
- Inside homes, especially:
- Near lights
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Active mostly at night
Are they dangerous?
Nope.
- Not venomous
- Rarely bite (and harmless if they do)
- Don’t damage houses
They’re actually beneficial because they eat:
- Mosquitoes 🦟
- Flies
- Moths
- Roaches
Downsides
- Little poop pellets on walls or floors
- Occasional chirping/clicking sounds
- Can be startling if they drop from the ceiling 😅
How to keep them out (humane)
- Turn off outdoor lights at night (less bugs = fewer geckos)
- Seal gaps around windows/doors
- Keep food covered
- Use egg shells, garlic, or pepper spray deterrents (mild but effective)
❌ Avoid glue traps—cruel and messy.
Fun fact
They can drop their tail to escape predators—and grow it back!
If you want:
- How to remove one safely
- Whether it’s a good or bad omen (folklore 👀)
- Or how to keep them on purpose for pest control
Just say the word.