gecko identification

Question
A tiny 1 1/2 inch gecko was brought to me from the new orleans area.  It is gray and black striped with a typical wedge shaped head.  I was told they roam free in the homes in the area and help control insects inside.  I have gotten it to eat baby meal worms and it lives in a 10x8 plastic inclosure with top ventilation and accessable water.  There is also a small plant living in the cage that is planted on a very light potting soil that also doubles as a floor cover for the cage.  I am curious as to the scientific name and common name and if I have set up the correct environment in which it will thrive. I've had it 3-4 m. and it seems fine so far.  

Answer
Hi,
thank you for your question.
It's very hard to identify an animal without a picture. I checked this list of herps in Louisiana
http://www.lgchs.org/laherpschecklist.htm
and the only gecko is Hemidactylus turcicus, the Mediterranean gecko which was introduced to the US from Europe and lives in many states. Those geckos often are found close to houses or even inside. H. turcicus has a striped tail and spots on its body, so it does not fit your description 100%. Here are some pictures:
http://images.google.de/images?svnum=10&hl=de&q=%22hemidactylus+turcicus%22&spel...

You'll find lots of info on them with Google. They are nocturnal, so they don't need UV lighting, but a basking spot for the right temperature and in case they want to sunbathe. During the day they need a temperature of around 77-82°F, at night it can drop to 68-70°F. Apart from the mealworms, which are too fatty for a steady diet, you can feed it crickets, locusts and small roaches. Some eat earthworms, too, which are very high in calcium. A vitamin-calcium supplement is important, the food should be dusted at every other feeding.

I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer