Iguanas are an invasive species thriving in Florida’s warm, subtropical climate, causing significant disruption to residential areas and natural ecosystems. These large, plant-eating reptiles are a major nuisance to property owners, primarily through burrowing that damages infrastructure like seawalls and sidewalks. The lizards also consume ornamental plants and can pose a health risk, as their droppings may carry Salmonella bacteria. Managing this growing population requires a multi-faceted approach, combining legal compliance with practical deterrence and removal techniques.
Legal Status and FWC Guidelines for Removal
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) classifies iguanas as an invasive, non-native species, meaning they are not protected by state law except by anti-cruelty regulations. The FWC actively encourages property owners to remove iguanas from private land without needing a special permit. This allowance helps residents control the population and mitigate property damage caused by the reptiles.
Any removal method must be carried out humanely to comply with state anti-cruelty laws. While property owners can humanely euthanize iguanas on their own land, the FWC strongly advises seeking assistance from licensed nuisance wildlife trappers or professionals. A strict rule dictates that captured iguanas cannot be relocated and released elsewhere in Florida. They must be euthanized or transferred to a permitted facility, ensuring the invasive population is not simply moved to a new area.
Deterrence and Habitat Modification Strategies
Long-term iguana management begins with making a property undesirable by eliminating their primary needs: food, shelter, and basking spots. Iguanas are herbivores attracted to many common Florida landscape plants, including hibiscus, orchids, and various fruits and vegetables. Replacing these preferred plants with less appealing varieties, such as desert rose or plumeria, can significantly reduce the attractiveness of a yard. Ensuring that no fallen fruit or pet food is left outside removes accessible food sources.
Iguanas dig burrows for shelter, which can undermine foundations, seawalls, and sidewalks. Property owners should proactively fill in existing burrows with materials like concrete or sand during the day when the lizards are typically active outside. Furthermore, dense ground cover, rock piles, and low-hanging tree branches provide hiding and basking spots. These should be trimmed or removed to increase open exposure, which discourages iguanas from settling.
Physical barriers offer a direct method of exclusion to prevent iguanas from accessing certain areas.
Exclusion Barriers
Installing metal flashing or wire mesh around the base of trees, docks, and seawalls prevents them from climbing or gaining a foothold. For protecting gardens and ornamental plants, screening or cage enclosures can be used as a physical barrier against feeding. Property owners also use electric fences on seawalls to deter climbing. Hanging reflective surfaces like old CDs or wind chimes can act as visual and auditory harassment.
Active Removal Methods
When deterrence fails, active removal is necessary to capture existing iguanas on the property. Live traps are one of the most common and FWC-approved methods for capture, often baited with attractive items like fresh fruit or vegetables. Traps should be set in sunny areas or along known travel paths, such as near seawalls or under dense vegetation. To increase effectiveness, the wire bottom of the trap can be covered with leaf litter or soil so the lizard does not feel the wire under its feet.
For large-scale infestations or when the iguanas are difficult to reach, hiring professional removal services is often the most efficient option. Licensed wildlife trappers have the specialized knowledge and equipment to safely and legally capture iguanas from challenging locations, such as high in trees or deep within burrows. These professionals are also familiar with the complex regulations surrounding the disposal of captured animals.
If a property owner chooses to perform lethal removal, it must be done humanely, as defined by the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. While the FWC encourages the removal of iguanas, they advise that euthanasia is best left to veterinarians or professionals who can use approved methods like captive bolt guns or carbon dioxide chambers. After removal, the iguana carcass must be disposed of properly, often requiring secure burial or biohazard disposal services, as dumping the remains is unhygienic and non-compliant with regulations.