Green iguanas are a type of lizard that originates from Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico. If you have noticed them crawling around the streets of South Florida, that is because they are an invasive species. They were introduced to South Florida by accident on cargo ships in the 1960s.
Adult iguanas typically don’t live past 8 years in the wild, however, they can live up to 20 years in captivity. Iguanas are a prohibited species in Florida, though, so you cannot keep them as pets.
Wild iguanas might come to your yard in search of food, water sources, or shelter. While they might be interesting to look at, they can cause significant damage by burrowing under your sidewalks or home. For example, iguana burrows can damage the foundations of houses, leading to structural issues.
Due to the risks of letting iguanas roam around your yard, you should seek help from a professional animal removal service. At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we can trap and remove iguanas from your property, keeping you and the creature safe at the same time.
What is the Iguana Lifespan?
The iguana’s lifespan depends on the specific type of iguana. In South Florida, you’ll only come across green iguanas. These lizards can live around 8 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity.
However, Grand Cayman blue iguanas can live 20 to 40 years in the wild and 70 years in captivity.
Green iguanas tend to only live 8 years in the wild because they are vulnerable to predators like raccoons, birds of prey, snakes, feral pigs, and other animals. Additionally, if it gets cold in South Florida, iguanas might freeze and fall out of trees.
What Attracts Iguanas to Your Property?
Iguanas might come onto your property in search of food, shelter, or a water source. Iguanas eat fruits like mangos and avocados, flowers like hibiscus or rose, and almost any vegetable they can find. If you have a garden in your backyard, you might find iguanas munching on your plants.
Iguanas also like to bathe in pools, fountains, or bird baths. They might hide in dense vegetation in your yard as well. If they are hiding from predators, you might find them in your bushes or under your porch.
If you have a pet door or another type of entry point, iguanas might try to come inside your home. Since iguanas can carry diseases like salmonella, you should do your best to keep them away from your property. If you are experiencing an iguana infestation, you should contact a wildlife removal service like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers.
How to Get Rid of Iguanas
Iguanas have sharp teeth and claws. They also whip their tails when they feel threatened. Because of this, you should never attempt to catch iguanas on your own.
Some home remedies to rid your property of iguanas include:
- Removing food sources by bringing pet food inside and rethinking bird feeders
- Using fences or barriers around gardens in your yard to prevent iguanas from accessing your plants
- Getting rid of plants that attract iguanas, like low-hanging fruit or hibiscus flowers
- Install metal sheeting on the trunks of trees to prevent them from climbing
- Use motion-activated sprinklers around attractants to scare the iguanas away
- Remove dense vegetation that could be a hiding spot for iguanas
- Put metal plates under your fence to prevent iguanas from being able to burrow underneath your fence
- Fill holes that iguanas have made in the ground to deter them from burrowing in your yard
If these methods do not work to prevent iguanas from coming onto your property, it’s time to call for professional help. At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we can trap and remove iguanas from your yard or inside your home.
While we never harm the animals we trap, we will not release iguanas back into the wild. They are an invasive species that harms the local ecosystem. Instead, we will bring them to a wildlife rehabilitation center where they can live their life outside of the wild, preventing them from disturbing the South Florida environment.
Get Connected to an Iguana Removal Service
If you are dealing with an iguana infestation on your property, Nuisance Wildlife Rangers are here to help. Iguanas can spread diseases, leave droppings all over your property, eat the plants in your garden, and damage structures by creating deep burrows. In other words, iguanas can cause a lot of damage to the local ecosystem and your home.
While there are ways to get rid of iguanas on your own, it is best to contact a professional. At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we use baited live traps to capture the iguanas before bringing them to a wildlife rehabilitation center where they won’t disturb the ecosystem any more.
Nuisance Wildlife Rangers is a full-time wildlife and animal removal company that extends its services to both commercial and residential clients. We have a great team of animal trappers who will work tirelessly to ensure that your home is free of any nuisance critters. We do not use any harmful products and we will focus on humane methods to exterminate the animals. Our trappers are experienced and will explain every stage of the wildlife removal process. We are committed to ensuring that your home is safe and fully protected from the invasion of animals.
Contact us today for more information on our iguana removal services in South Florida.
