Expert Tips on How to Keep Green Iguanas Out of Your Yard

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Feb 4, 2025 | Tips & Tricks

In recent years, more than 5,000 green iguana sightings have been reported in Florida. The vast majority are in South Florida.

Wild green iguanas are not native to Florida. The wild first green iguanas were reported in the state in 1966. Experts believe these early invaders stowed away in shipping containers.

Since then, the pet trade has significantly increased their population, as the lizards escape or irresponsible owners intentionally release them.

For Floridians, green iguanas are a nuisance and, more ominously, a threat to endangered native plant species.

It’s important, therefore, for all Florida homeowners to do their part to combat this invasion. Fortunately, you can take several practical steps to keep green iguanas from destroying your property.

Photo of Iguana

Understanding the Iguana Problem

Iguanas have become a significant problem for homeowners in Florida and other subtropical regions. As an invasive species, they reproduce rapidly and have few natural predators in these areas, leading to burgeoning populations that can wreak havoc on residential properties. Homeowners often find themselves battling these reptiles to protect their landscape plants, gardens, and even structural elements of their properties.

One of the primary issues with iguanas is their voracious appetite for various vegetation. They are known to feed on landscape plants, flowers, and fruits, which can lead to extensive damage in gardens and landscaped areas. This not only affects the aesthetic appeal of a property but can also result in financial costs for homeowners who have to replace damaged plants and maintain their gardens.

In addition to their feeding habits, iguanas are notorious for burrowing. They dig extensive tunnels and burrows, which can undermine the integrity of sea walls, sidewalks, and building foundations. This can lead to costly repairs and pose safety hazards. For properties located near water bodies, the damage to sea walls can be particularly concerning, as it can compromise flood defenses and increase the risk of erosion.

Moreover, iguanas can be a nuisance due to their droppings. Iguana feces can accumulate quickly, creating unsanitary conditions and posing health risks. The feces can carry bacteria such as Salmonella, which can be harmful to humans and pets. Cleaning up after these animals can be a constant and unpleasant chore for homeowners.

Another concern is the potential threat to local wildlife. As iguanas compete with native animals for food and habitat, they can disrupt local ecosystems and contribute to the decline of indigenous species. This ecological imbalance further underscores the need to manage and control iguana populations effectively. When they feel threatened, these reptiles can scratch and bite pets.

While iguanas can be fascinating creatures, their status as an invasive species makes them problematic for homeowners. From damaging landscape plants and gardens to compromising infrastructure and creating health hazards, the challenges they pose are significant. By understanding these issues and implementing appropriate deterrent strategies, homeowners can better manage the impact of iguanas and protect their properties from further damage.

How to Keep Iguanas Away

To keep iguanas out of your yard, you need to ensure that your property is not iguana-friendly. This means removing food and waste that attract iguanas and adding elements, like iguana barriers and other landscape design features, to deter them.

Don’t Feed the Green Iguanas!

You’re reading an article about how to get rid of iguanas. So it’s unlikely that you’re intentionally feeding them. You might, though, be leaving a lizard feast without realizing it.

Fruit Trees

Green iguanas love fruit. They especially love fruit that’s easy to access. Low-hanging fruit on mango and avocado trees offers iguanas a tasty snack with little effort. Fruit that’s fallen to the ground is even better for these lazy lizards.

If green iguanas have been feasting on your fruit trees, it’s time to close up shop.

Clear fallen fruit from your yard and discard it in a secure container. Then gather any low-hanging fruit that’s still on the trees so that you and your family—not some pesky lizards—can enjoy these juicy treats.

As a longer-term solution, you might also plant citrus trees, which may deter iguanas.

Other Plants

Fruit isn’t the only treat that lures iguanas. In fact, iguanas enjoy the leaves and flowers of most plants.

Protect your plants from their destructive appetites with wire netting or cages. Also consider installing plants that iguanas do not eat. These include oleanders and crotons. For a full list of iguana-deterring plants, check out our related blog post: “What Plants Do Iguanas Hate?

Leftovers

A key advantage of Florida living is the year-round option for patio dining. Whether it’s a cozy sunrise breakfast for two or a large dinner party, never leave food unattended. And when the party’s over, promptly discard or store the leftovers.

Doing so sends a clear message to the green iguanas: You’re not invited.

Pet Food

Pet food can be another unintentional food source for iguanas on your property. Fortunately, the solution is simple: Avoid feeding your pets outside.

If you’re caring for a neighborhood stray, bringing the pet food bowls inside might not be an option. In that case, be sure to monitor the bowl while the animal is feeding. Then promptly remove the dish until the next meal.

Garbage

Iguanas are largely herbivores. However, they don’t have the most discerning palate. That means they’ll try anything that smells edible and is easy to access. Besides pet food, household trash offers another tantalizing food source for green iguanas.

It’s important, therefore, to put trash in a secure container. Trash bags are no deterrent to a hungry lizard. Even loose lids on trash cans offer little protection.

To iguana-proof your trash, invest in an animal-proof can with a secure lid. Or use a cinder block to keep the lid on and the lizards out.

Maintain Your Yard

In addition to food, shelter is another of the green iguana’s basic needs. Basic yard maintenance and landscaping features can keep your property from becoming an iguana oasis.

Use Tree Wrap

Faced with a natural tree trunk, green iguanas are skillful climbers. This makes trees a prime nesting spot for iguanas. Iguanas also enjoy basking in the sun on a tree’s upper branches.

As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to cut off access to these lizard motels. You can do this by installing tree wrap to prevent iguanas from climbing.

Working with an expert like Iguana Control ensures effective installation and high-quality tree wrap.

Trim Trees and Shrubs

Trees near your house can also serve as bridges for iguanas to reach your roof and, ultimately, enter your home. Once inside, iguanas can cause leaks and leave unsanitary droppings.

An iguana pest control company, like Iguana Control, will identify and trim problematic branches. If necessary, they’ll also thin out overgrown shrubs and other areas where iguanas can hide.

Fill—and Prevent—Iguana Holes

Iguanas are not just expert climbers but also expert diggers. They dig long tunnels to access your property, and they dig burrows for nesting.

Filling these holes—and installing additional barriers to prevent their return—is one of the best ways to send iguanas packing.

It’s best to fill iguana holes during the day when the lizards are foraging for food or basking in the sun.

It’s also best—and, in fact, necessary—to fill iguana holes with more than dirt. If you fill a hole with dirt, the iguana can easily dig through it to return to its burrow.

Dropping large rocks into the hole before filling it with dirt can add another layer of protection. However, the best solution is Iguana Control’s anti-hole barrier. Hidden beneath a layer of dirt, this barrier prevents the iguana from reentering its burrow.

When you work with Iguana Control, you can also opt for our monitoring and topography protection services. These services provide exceptional vigilance against the appearance of new iguanas and burrows.

Install Iguana Barriers Along Your Property Line

Besides filling iguana holes, you’ll also need to guard the perimeter of your property from new invaders. This might mean installing an iguana-proof fence around your yard.

If you live near water, though, you’ll also need to consider solutions to prevent iguanas from entering via waterways and docks.

Iguana Control’s sea wall barrier is 100% effective at preventing iguanas from crawling from a canal or other waterway onto your property. Meanwhile, dock piling wrap, like our tree wrap, prevents iguanas from using cement or wood pilings to enter your yard.

Humane Deterrent Methods: Safe Traps and Proper Removal Practices

As iguana populations continue to rise, homeowners and property managers are increasingly seeking humane methods to deter these invasive reptiles. One effective approach involves the use of safe traps. Here’s a guide to setting up humane traps and ensuring the safe relocation of captured iguanas.

Green iguana, portrait of orange and green big lizard near its nest hole.

Setting Up Safe Traps

  • Choose the Right Trap: Opt for a live trap specifically designed for small to medium-sized animals. These traps are typically made of wire mesh and have a spring-loaded door that closes when the animal steps on a trigger plate.
  • Placement: Position the trap in areas where iguanas are frequently seen, such as near gardens, under trees, or along pathways. Ensure the trap is stable and placed on a flat surface to avoid tipping.
  • Baiting: Use fresh fruits and vegetables as bait to lure iguanas into the trap. Commonly used baits include mango, watermelon, and leafy greens. Place the bait at the far end of the trap to ensure the iguana fully enters before triggering the door.
  • Monitoring: Regularly check the trap to ensure any captured iguana does not remain confined for too long. This minimizes stress to the animal.

Proper Removal Practices

In Florida, it’s illegal to relocate iguanas due to regulations aimed at controlling invasive species and preventing the spread of diseases. According to the Deerfield Beach official website and numerous other government sources, captured iguanas cannot be relocated and released at other locations within the state.

This policy is in place to hinder efforts to contain or eliminate wildlife diseases and to manage the invasive iguana population effectively. Remember, green iguanas are not protected except by anti-cruelty laws. This allows for their removal from private property year-round.

To ensure compliance with these regulations and to handle iguana removal humanely and legally, homeowners should hire professionals who are knowledgeable about local wildlife laws.

At Iguana Control, our experts can safely and effectively manage iguana populations, ensuring that property owners remain within the bounds of the law while addressing their iguana issues.

Consider Iguana Extermination

At Iguana Control, most of our services—over 95%—are preventative. With our iguana trapper services, though, we’re equipped to handle the most stubborn lizard pests as well.

When you work with Iguana Control, iguana removal is an effective and available last resort.

Work with a Green Iguana Pest Control Expert

To stop iguana-related harm, homeowners can implement several deterrent measures. Physical barriers such as mesh fencing can prevent iguanas from accessing gardens and other vulnerable areas. Planting iguana-resistant species, like citrus trees and oleander, can also help reduce the attractiveness of a yard. Additionally, motion-activated sprinklers and natural repellents like garlic or hot pepper spray can discourage iguanas from frequenting certain areas.

In cases where these measures are not sufficient, seeking professional assistance may be necessary. Iguana Control can provide humane and effective solutions to manage and reduce iguana populations, helping to protect homeowners’ properties and restore a sense of normalcy.

The above solutions are practical steps you can take to eliminate an iguana infestation. Some of these steps, like securing your trash, rely on you and your vigilance on a daily basis. Still, the most effective iguana pest control strategy involves partnering with the experts.

At Iguana Control, we know Florida, and we know iguanas. We know how to implement the above solutions to effectively eliminate green iguanas from your Florida property.

Contact us today for a free estimate!

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