View Full Version : I need some help!
jackiomy
08-28-2009, 6:59 PM
The BF just called me and said he caught an alligator lizard by mistake in a glue trap. I told him in the beginning I hated those things and now he is upset and I am upset and the lizard is really NOT happy. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the glue off his little feet? The lizard, not the BF.
justahannah
08-28-2009, 7:37 PM
Just read this on a website (http://www.buginfo.com/article.cfm?id=59)....starts out by recommending paint thinner but goes on...
"For animals though, particularly kittens, puppies, birds, or other possibly sensitive animals where paint thinner might have a irritating effect on the animal, there are other choices. Since it may not really be known what kinds of sensitivities certain animals have to chemicals of any kind, it would be nice to have an alternative. In speaking with many professional pest management technicians, here is a short list of other solvents that they have used, successfully, in removing the glue:
Dishwashing liquid detergent
Hand creams
Rubbing alcohol
Cooking oil
Peanut butter or regular butter
It appears that many kinds of oily materials will dissolve the glue, so removing it from sensitive skin, hair, or feathers with cooking oil seems to be a fairly benign method that does not run the risk of irritating the skin of an animal. You probably really would not want to dip your parakeet in paint thinner, but a material less likely to cause irritation would be a better choice. Once the glue is removed the area can then be washed with soap and water to remove any unwanted oiliness, and everything should be normal again."
Not sure if they considered reptiles there though...hold fast until I can get Vicious Fish over here and see what he thinks.
Squawkbert
08-28-2009, 8:47 PM
Roll up a paper, shove it over his snout (the lizard, not the BF), then massage some peanut butter into the feet areas & pry off one by one.
jackiomy
08-28-2009, 9:17 PM
I got home and the poor thing was stuck to the bottom of a critter keeper. I sprayed Pam on my fingers and rubbed his tummy and feet until I could lift him up. I held him behind his head with two fingers and rested his body in my hand and gave him the best massage of his little lizard life. By the time I was done he had his eyes closed and wasn't trying to bite anymore. Then I rinsed him off and put him in another critter keeper with some water and covered him so he feels safe. I think he is going to be okay. I will check him in the morning and if he is still sticky give him another massage and let him rest til the evening and let him go. I feel so much better and so does he.
mel_20_20
08-29-2009, 8:25 PM
I'm so glad he's OK, but I can't help it... I've been laughing my head off reading about his adventure.
At least he had a relaxing massage to soothe the poor little stressed thing.
huffmagx
08-29-2009, 8:28 PM
I have used cooking oil for this reason... yes there is a story behind it and no I won't tell it!! The cooking oil worked and is non toxic though I'd rinse it off not sure the lizard will like it.
Good Luck!
Vicious_Fish
08-30-2009, 2:43 PM
Wow, I just came across this thread, lol! Sounds like you handled that well. But before you release that lizard I would let it soak in a tub of warm water for about a 1/2 hour. You only need to put in around an inch of water. Just enough to cover most of the lizard except for the head. That should help get rid of any of the leftover oil/glue that might still be present.