The past few years I've seen more lizards (Sceloporus) running across my yard starting in the spring and lasting through the fall since lizards hibernate during the winter.  The most common lizards in our area are fence lizards, also known as the blue belly lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis).  Lizards measure six to nine inches long and are fairly harmless and generally bite only if handled roughly.  Fence lizards feed on insects like beetles, spiders, ants, and aphids so I generally don't mind them running around my yard and plants.  But since I heard this is a bad year for rattlesnakes, and snakes feed on lizards among other things, I'm not too crazy about having lizards in my yard.  So if they suddenly disappear I'll be in fear they may have fallen prey to a slithering predator!

Fence lizards reproduce by laying 3 to 20 soft-shelled eggs in large holes in damp soil from May to August.  Those eggs will generally hatch from July to September. 

Lizards can enter garages and other structures through openings a quarter of an inch or larger.  So you should seal any cracks over a quarter of an inch to keep them out.   And remember, that lizards are good at climbing buildings and other structures.

Currently, there are no lizard repellents registered in California.   For more information on lizards, see the University of California Integrated Pest Management Note at www.ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74120.html.