Your backyard could be a sanctuary for Australia's tiny pest-fighting heroes

Gardening · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Skinks are the unsung environmental heroes of the Australian bush, acting as natural pest controllers by devouring insects and spiders. However, urban expansion and chemical use are pushing these small reptiles out of our gardens. You can turn your backyard into a thriving sanctuary with a few structural changes.

Australia is home to a massive diversity of lizards, with 520 different species inhabiting environments ranging from rainforests to bustling urban centers. Among these, skinks are particularly notable for their ecological role. Because smaller skink species are primarily insectivorous, they provide a vital service by consuming common garden pests like crickets, beetles, spiders, grasshoppers, moths, and cockroaches. Larger varieties, such as the three-towed skink, may also target worms and centipedes, while larger lizards like the land mullet and blue-tongued lizard consume fruit and vegetables alongside snails.

Creating a 'skinky' garden requires understanding the different thermal needs of these reptiles. Some skinks are 'heliothermic,' meaning they love to bask directly in the sun to regulate their body temperature. Others are 'thigmothermic,' preferring to stay under cover and absorb heat from the surrounding environment. To accommodate both types, a high-quality habitat must offer a variety of structural and thermal opportunities, providing both open basking spots and shaded retreats.

Human intervention can be a double-edged sword. While reducing pesticides and insecticides is a primary way to support skink populations, the presence of domestic pets poses a significant risk. Cats and dogs can lead to direct predation or force lizards to abandon favored basking sites, which can be harmful to their health. Additionally, chemical snail pellets can be fatal to larger lizards like blue-tongues if they consume snails that have ingested the poison. By providing dedicated structures like DIY skink boxes—which should be placed in partial shade and covered with leaf litter—gardeners can create safe havens that mitigate these urban threats.

A DIY skink box can be constructed using 4mm Marine A Grade Plywood. The design features a 'box within a box' structure, providing a secure interior and a protected opening. For the best results, these boxes should be secured into the ground in a partially shaded area, protected from heavy plant coverage but made appealing with a layer of leaf litter around the entrance.

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