Daffy D Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 We have a washing machine, one of those twin tub top loading types, outside at the back of the house. We also have a family of lizards living in all the junk around the back of the house. They are a friendly bunch you can go right up and almost touch them and we quite like having them around. A few days ago we found a baby lizard in the bottom of the washing machine, we tend to keep the top open to stop it getting musty, and I had a devil of a job chasing it round and round trying to pick it up, not by the tail, without hurting it. Eventually it got so exhausted that I did manage get it out but it's tail fell of anyway. No problem I guess it will grow a new one, but now there is another one in the bottom of the machine and I don't really want to stress it out like the last one. Any ideas how to get it out with tail intact? I have put a length of wood into the machine long enough for the lizard to crawl up and get out I just hope it has the sense to do that. If the piece of wood strategy fails any suggestions apart from turning the whole machine upside down and letting it fall out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdnvic Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Maybe put something down there he can crawl onto that could be lifted out? I'd recommend getting a screen made that would fit over top so you could keep it aired out without letting any visitors in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daoyai Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 This is what I do, add some water until the guy is swimming, then it is easy to scoop out, much easier than trying to pick them up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geriatrickid Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 A tree branch or long twig from a shrub that can can be climbed might be easier. And good on you for being kind to your resident mosquito and cockroach eating machines. They eat their weight in bugs so its worth your time on this.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristopherWilliamsBKK Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 (edited) turn it on, it'll all come out in the wash Daffy. Edited August 3, 2011 by ChristopherWilliamsBKK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetlejuice Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Easy peesey. Buy one of those fishnets that are used for scooping fish out of aquariums and fishponds. They are great for this sort of thing with the minimum of stress for the animal and very cheap from most supermarkets and pet supply stores. Over time I have used these nets to rescue birds (feathered kind) that have accidentally flown into the house, lizards trapped in a hole in our garden and even a chicken when my dog caught one once. Only need to cover the lizard with the net, when the lizard runs inside it, just turn the net over with a slight twist and lift it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
housepainter Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Should the picture of a fishing net be allowed on this site? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
321Rich Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Another easy way is to simply drop a piece of cloth like a t-shirt over it. Then gently push the cloth into a loose ball and lift it out. As long as you do not squeeze the "ball" tightly, the lizard should come out with the cloth. Be prepared to do the same thing on a frequent schedule unless you rig up some screen or other cover that allows air to circulate but not insects or lizards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagwan Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I have a single tub top loader washing machine. A few months ago I was removing the clothing to hang up to dry and lifting the last article, a polo shirt, out of the tub uncovered a snake. I have no idea how it got in there but it was certainly very clean. I shudder to think that it was in the laundry basket that we keep in the bedroom and it was tipped into the tub with all the clothes. Thankfully the reptile was quite docile so I used two lengths of wood to fashion a makeshift pair of tongs, lifted it out into a handy cardboard box and released it in a mini forest about a mile away. I have no idea whether it was venomous or not, but I wasn't going to take any chances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Should the picture of a fishing net be allowed on this site? as long as they are thai fishing nets then its ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonrakers Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Should the picture of a fishing net be allowed on this site? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nocturn Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Should the picture of a fishing net be allowed on this site? as long as they are thai fishing nets then its ok that is a skink i believe lovely animals. combination water fishnet sounds a winner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffy D Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 Good news the piece of wood leaning into the machine seems to have worked as the little fella was gone this morning. Thanks for all the suggestions, lots of variations to keep in mind for similar situations in the future. Always good to get other ideas. The snake in the laundry sounds a bit scary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tw25rw Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Good news the piece of wood leaning into the machine seems to have worked as the little fella was gone this morning. Thanks for all the suggestions, lots of variations to keep in mind for similar situations in the future. Always good to get other ideas. The snake in the laundry sounds a bit scary He's probably gone into the mechanism. You'll need to dismantle your washing machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffy D Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 He's probably gone into the mechanism. You'll need to dismantle your washing machine. Oh! I hope not The Misses has done a load of washing so if he didn't climb out he is a very clean little lizard starting a new life inside the mechanics of the machine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gumbo Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I find laser pointers invaluable for getting lizards to do what you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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