How to get rid of iguanas? IGUANA REMOVAL

Iguana Removal

How to get rid of iguanas? A big topic for homeowners living in waterfront properties in Florida. For the last few years, property owners have been dealing with an influx of non-native Iguanas causing havoc to their yards.

Although these reptiles have been around since the 1960s, in the last few years their numbers have soared due to climate change. The most common nuisance is the number of feces they leave on waterfront properties, which is also the main reason homeowners want to have them removed rather than putting up with them like they do geckos and other South Florida reptiles.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (“FWC”) website, “Some green iguanas cause damage to infrastructure by digging burrows that erode and collapse sidewalks, foundations, seawalls, berms and canal banks.” They can also carry bacteria causing salmonella and other nasty infections affecting the bowel and the central nervous system.

The FWC advised that: “Homeowners do not need a permit to kill iguanas on their own property, and the FWC encourages homeowners to kill green iguanas on their own property whenever possible…”

The problem with Iguana removals is that you have to catch them first (they are speedy opponents) and then have to be willing to kill them yourself.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel interviewed Ron Magill, animal ambassador for Zoo Miami, and here is his guidance on how to kill an iguana. “The general guideline is to end the iguana’s life instantly — suddenly and without any suffering. Hitting the iguana on the head with a shovel is OK, as long as you aim correctly and kill it in the first stroke. Hit it more than once and you could be charged with a crime. But beware: With an animal such as an iguana — capable of defending itself with a tail whip — a kill in one fell swoop poses a challenge.”

Sell Your Home Smarter for 1% and save $10,000.

Get My Free Home Valuation

The FWC also advises that “homeowners who trap iguanas on their property may be able to obtain euthanasia services from local exotic veterinarians, humane societies or animal control offices depending on the location and availability of services.” This will likely be accompanied by a fee. Alternatively, the FWC maintains a database of private companies that provide nuisance wildlife trappers services in each county. They are not regulated by the FWC but must follow all applicable rules and regulations concerning nuisance wildlife removal. This list is easily accessible on this FWC website.

How to get rid of iguanas and how much does iguana removal cost?

As iguanas have become more prevalent, companies offering iguana removal services have also soared. Homeowners can search online for local trappers and request a quote but these services don’t come cheap, and often callers will be shooed through a referral company first. Most services provide for multiple traps placed in the area where the iguanas are normally found, with daily attendance by a removal specialist. One to two weeks’ worth of services is normally recommended. Quotes can range from $500 for one week of traps in a specific location, to $2000 for two weeks’ worth of traps if the iguanas are all over a property. Unfortunately, these companies don’t advertise their prices online, so homeowners will have to spend time getting individual quotes to be able to compare the value of the services offered.

Iguana Deterrence

Once you get rid of iguanas, the FWC advises the following to deter more:

• Removing plants that act as attractants
• Filling in holes to discourage burrowing
• Hanging wind chimes or other items that make intermittent noises
• Hanging CDs that have reflective surfaces
• Spraying the animals with water as a deterrent

Take-Away

When thinking of how to get rid of iguanas and the iguana removal cost, its important to make sure you take care of iguanas using different methods of trapping iguanas, especially if you’re selling your Florida waterfront property, the last thing you want is your lovely dock and yard to be blighted by iguana feces. Once you have achieved your Iguana Removal, come back to Richr.com to list your home for FREE on your local MLS so you can keep more equity when you sell.