As you drive around Palm Beach County, you’re more likely than not to see large groups of iguanas lounging around our local lakes and waterways. These invasive iguanas have become a nuisance to our homes and neighborhoods, businesses, local parks, and commercial properties. Researches aren’t sure exactly how many of these pests roam wildly in South Florida, but estimate the numbers can be well into the hundreds of thousands. If you don’t already know the destruction these reptiles can do, here’s some of the damaging effects of iguanas on our local landscape.
Iguanas Can Damage Your Property
You’ve spent countless hours and dollars keeping your home or business looking its best. When an iguana moves in to your landscape, you will encounter damage in many ways. Iguanas live in burrows deep in the ground that can uproot and undermine seawalls, foundations, and bulkheads. Living on your property, their feces can be a source of salmonella and containment your pools. In addition to their burrows, there have been more and more reports of iguanas causing power outages and internet black-outs by climbing electrical poles and eating wires. Finally, while iguanas are mostly vegetarian, they feed on your beautiful flowers, shrubs, and vegetable gardens, causing expansive damage to your landscape.
Iguanas Can Injure You and Your Pets
For the most part, iguanas are going to run from any imminent danger. As you approach one, they will either run into their burrow or dive into the nearest body of water. While they aren’t a relatively aggressive pest, if you happen to corner an iguana, they will defend themselves. Iguanas have sharp teeth, used for foraging on plants, and will bite to protect themselves. They also have the ability to use their long tails like whips and will snap their tails in the face of a predator.
Iguana Removal and Control
If you’re looking to deter or scare off iguanas in your yard, you may want to avoid planting iguana-preferred vegetation, spray them with the water hose and make noises so their atmosphere is unwelcoming. Most importantly, NEVER feed them. If you find a burrow in your yard, collapse the hole and fill it in with dirt. Doing your part to make them feel unwelcome will help to keep them at bay.
If your property is overrun with iguanas and you need them removed, the professionals at East Coast Sprayers are here to help. We will evaluate your iguana population and determine the best removal method. Contact us today for your estimate to help remove these pests from your landscape.
