Iguanas in Florida

Why They're Taking Over Backyards and How to Get Rid of Them

Well hello there, Florida homeowners. Lydia here—your friendly neighborhood wildlife mediator and reformed garden-destroyer. If you've clicked on this, I'm guessing you've got some uninvited scaly guests lounging by your pool, helping themselves to your hibiscus, or turning your seawall into Swiss cheese. 

As someone who's watched the iguana invasion unfold (and yes, I've had front-row seats to plenty of backyard wildlife drama), I'm here to give you the straight scoop on how these guys became Florida's most persistent uninvited house guests—and more importantly, how to send them packing—humanely, as always.

The Great Iguana Invasion: A Tale of Pets Gone Wild

So how did we get here? Picture this: it's the 1960s, and baby iguanas are the hottest exotic pets on the block. Cute little green guys no bigger than your hand, shipped in from Central and South America faster than you can say "impulse purchase."

Florida, being the exotic pet trade capital it was, saw boatloads of these miniature dragons coming through. But here's the thing about cute baby iguanas—they grow. Fast. Into 4-foot-long, 20-pound eating machines that can live 20+ years and have zero interest in being cuddled.

Cue the great iguana exodus of, well, every year since. Some escaped (iguanas are surprisingly good at jailbreaking), others were "set free" by overwhelmed owners who thought they were doing Fluffy Scaly a favor. One Miami pet dealer even released 300 iguanas in 1964.

Fast-forward to today, and these guys have made themselves completely at home across South and Central Florida. They've got breeding populations from Miami-Dade all the way up to Tampa Bay, using the canal systems like their personal highway network. Fun fact: iguanas are excellent swimmers.

The problem? Florida's subtropical climate is basically iguana paradise. Year-round warmth, plenty of vegetation, and precious few predators that can handle a full-grown adult. Sure, the occasional cold snap might knock them down—literally, as cold-stunned iguanas have been known to fall out of trees like scaly meteorites—but unless it freezes hard, most survive to dig another day.

The Iguana Reality Check: Damage Report

Now, I know what you non-Floridians are thinking: "Lydia, they're just sunbathing. How bad can it be?" Oh, sweet summer child. Let me paint you a picture of what these "harmless" yard guests are really up to.

Your Garden = Their Personal Grocery Store

Iguanas are voracious herbivores with expensive taste. They'll demolish your hibiscus, orchids, roses, bougainvillea, and pretty much any vegetable you're foolish enough to try growing. Tomatoes? Gone. Mangos? Devoured. Your prize-winning nasturtiums? Iguana caviar. The only thing they seem to turn their noses up at is citrus—apparently even invasive species have standards.

Underground Demolition Crew

They don't just eat your plants; they're also amateur excavators. Those burrows they dig? They can undermine sidewalks, patios, seawalls, and even your house foundation. We're talking about real structural damage here—one iguana tunnel system in West Palm Beach contributed to nearly $2 million in dam repairs. 

The Poop Problem is Real

Let's talk about the elephant in the room—or should I say, the iguana on the deck. They leave droppings everywhere: pool decks, boats, patios, and yes, even in your swimming pool. Not only is this disgusting, but iguana feces can harbor Salmonella bacteria. Nobody signed up for a daily poop-scooping routine when they bought their Florida dream home.

When Iguanas Fight Back

While they're not typically aggressive, cornered iguanas can deliver nasty bites, scratches, and tail whips. When there’s nowhere to flight, a guy’s gotta fight. And they've got sharp teeth, claws, and zero sense of personal boundaries when they feel threatened (understandably). Large males during breeding season? Even less fun to deal with.

Ecological Party Crashers

Beyond your backyard, these guys are munching on native wildlife and plants. They've been caught eating endangered tree snails and the flowers that native butterflies depend on. So when we say they're invasive, we mean they're literally eating Florida's natural heritage.

Operation Iguana Eviction: Your Action Plan

Alright, enough doom and gloom. Let's talk solutions. The good news? You don't have to live with this scaly soap opera in your backyard. Here's your strategic game plan:

Step 1: Don’t Be an Iguana Enabler

First rule of Iguana Fight Club: don't feed the iguanas. Not intentionally, not accidentally. No pet food left out, no fallen fruit under your mango tree, no "aww, they're so cute when they eat" moments. Every snack you provide sends an invitation to their entire extended family.

Step 2: Landscape Like Your Sanity Depends on It

Take a hard look at your yard—is it basically Club Med for reptiles? Time for some strategic redecorating. Swap out their favorite munchies (hibiscus, orchids, roses) for plants they find about as appealing as a tax audit: citrus, crotons, milkweed, oleander. Also, clear out dense thickets and brush piles where they like to hide. 

Want to create a garden that's beautiful for you but uninviting to pests? Our guide to balancing nature and peace in your backyard has more strategies for designing spaces that welcome the wildlife you want while deterring the ones you don't.

Step 3: Plant Protection Services

For the plants you absolutely can't bear to part with, it's time to get creative. Wire cages around your precious orchids, sheet metal bands around tree trunks (about chest height—iguanas can't grip slick metal), or plastic sleeves on dock pilings. It might not win a garden beauty contest, but it'll save your bank account.

For more comprehensive strategies on using physical barriers to outsmart wildlife, check out our complete guide to fencing and barrier solutions.

Step 4: Fill Those Tunnels (Timing is Everything)

Found burrows? Fill 'em up—but only when you're sure nobody's home. Iguanas typically leave during the day to forage, so that's your window. Pack those holes with gravel, sand, or concrete mix. For long-term prevention, consider installing L-shaped wire barriers underground along fence lines. When an iguana tries to dig, it hits the mesh and gives up.

Step 5: The Art of Polite Harassment

Here's where we get to have a little fun. Iguanas hate being bothered, so make their lives mildly miserable—humanely and within legal bounds. Blast them with the garden hose—most hate cold water and will scramble away faster than you can say "scram." Make noise: bang pots, use an air horn, or just yell and clap like you're a really enthusiastic parent at your kids pee wee sporting event.

Get creative with deterrents: wind chimes, motion-activated sprinklers, or shiny objects like old CDs hanging from trees. The goal is to make your yard feel like the most unwelcoming place on earth. Consistency is key—every single time they show up, make it clear they're not welcome.

Step 6: When All Else Fails—Professional Intervention

If you're dealing with a full-scale iguana invasion that laughs at your harassment attempts, it might be time to call in the professionals or consider live trapping. Florida law allows homeowners to trap iguanas on their property using live traps baited with fruit like mango or bananas.

But here's the catch—once you catch one, you can't relocate it (illegal), and you can't keep it as a pet. That leaves humane euthanasia, which should really be handled by professionals who know what they're doing. Many licensed wildlife control companies in Florida specialize in iguana removal now—yes, there's a fee, but it beats the ethical headache of trying to figure out what to do with an angry iguana in a cage.

The Legal Lowdown: Know Your Rights

Here's something that might surprise you: Florida actually encourages iguana removal. In 2021, green iguanas were added to the Prohibited species list, making it illegal to buy, sell, or breed them. As a homeowner, you can legally remove or humanely kill them on your property anytime, no permit needed—just follow anti-cruelty laws please (no torture, no prolonged suffering).

What you CAN'T do: transport and release them elsewhere, use poisons, or employ inhumane methods. When in doubt, contact your county extension office or check out Florida's wildlife resources.

And here's a pro tip from your neighborhood wildlife mediator: if you've got a pet iguana you can no longer handle, please don't release it into the wild. Florida's Exotic Pet Amnesty Program will help you rehome it responsibly, no questions asked.

The Secret Weapon: Natural Repellents

Now, while we're talking about comprehensive iguana management, let me share a little insider knowledge. Sometimes the most effective approach combines multiple strategies—and that includes using a natural iguana repellent that creates scent barriers to convince iguanas your yard isn't the paradise they thought it was. Combined with habitat modification and consistent harassment, these natural formulations can be the missing piece in your iguana-proofing puzzle.

Your Long-Term Strategy: Persistence Pays Off

Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this—dealing with invasive iguanas isn't a one-and-done situation. They’re persistent, adaptable, and frankly, pretty smart. The key is starting early and staying consistent. One iguana in your yard today can easily become ten next month if you ignore the problem. But with the right combination of deterrents and habitat modification, you can absolutely reclaim your backyard.

Remember: we're not trying to be cruel here—we're just setting boundaries. 

Hooves and hugs (and a bit of determination),

Lydia

P.S. If you need me, I'll be over here helping homeowners everywhere reclaim their yards from uninvited wildlife. If you’ve got a question, tip, or photo of your gardening handy work that you’d like to show off, email it to info@epicrepellents.com. I love (e)mail!