Slugs gone, bugs gone, strawberries thriving as invasive lizards boom in B.C.

Tracy Menzies, a resident near the Gorge Waterway in Saanich, B.C., had always struggled with slugs invading her backyard garden. However, this season, her strawberries thrived despite the slugs' presence. The secret to her success, she believes, lies in the rapid growth of the invasive European wall lizard population. These lizards, originally introduced in 1970, are consuming slugs, spiders, insects, and even fruit.

While Menzies is pleased with her garden's success, she expresses concern about the lizards' potential spread into her home. Biologists estimate there are 800,000 to 1 million of these lizards in B.C., primarily on Vancouver Island. Their population expansion is attributed to the region's climate, which offers ideal conditions for their survival.

Experts warn that the lizards could negatively impact native invertebrate populations, including baby garter snakes, insects, and spiders. The best method to deter these lizards, according to experts, is to create a less appealing environment for them, such as a well-maintained lawn. However, eradicating the lizards entirely is deemed impossible, as they have already established themselves in the ecosystem.