Iguanas are large lizards or reptiles native to Central and South America, the Caribbean, and parts of Mexico. While they are present in South Florida, they are considered invasive. They were accidentally brought to Florida on cargo ships coming from Cuba in the 1960s.
Because iguanas are invasive, they cause significant damage to the ecosystem in Florida. They cause damage to vegetation by eating plants, flowers, and fruit. Iguanas are also known for disrupting the native ecosystem by outperforming other native herbivores for food.
Iguanas can also cause significant damage to your property. They dig burrows that can damage your home’s foundation, eat the plants in your garden, and leave excessive droppings that lead to sanitation issues and potential health risks.
If you are worried that iguanas are frequenting your yard, the easiest way to tell is by looking for their droppings. Iguana poop is brown or black and pellet-shaped. There might be a clear liquid with it, referred to as urate. The feces might contain undigested pieces of leaves, fruits, or flowers.
At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we can provide iguana control services, ridding your property of iguanas. Since contact with animal droppings can lead to health risks, we can also help clean up iguana feces.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What does iguana feces look like?
- What are the signs of iguanas in your yard?
- How can you get rid of iguanas?
What Does Iguana Poop Look Like?
Iguana droppings are solid pellets that are dark brown or black. They can be up to several inches long, meaning iguana poop can be the same size as feces from a small dog. The droppings might have a clear liquid called urate or uric acid, a substance present in urine and other bodily fluids.
If you see iguana droppings, you might also notice undigested bits of things they’ve recently consumed, like fruit, leaves, or flowers.
You should never handle iguana poop without taking proper sanitary measures like wearing gloves and using a mask. Iguanas often carry salmonella, which can cause symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. If you think you’ve contracted salmonella from an iguana, seek medical care as soon as possible.
Other Signs of Iguanas in Your Yard
Iguanas might come to your yard in search of food, shelter, or a water source. They like to take dips in people’s swimming pools, which can pose a risk of health issues like salmonella. This is one of the reasons it is so important to treat your pool when living in Florida.
While looking for droppings is a good way to tell if iguanas have been in your yard, there are other signs to look for, including:
- Burrows- Iguanas dig deep burrows to hide their eggs from predators. Burrows can be up to 6 feet long and 3 feet deep and are often found near water sources. Iguana burrows can damage structures like sidewalks and the foundations of homes.
- Tracks- Iguana tracks are very distinct from other types of reptiles. They tend to have five-toed prints with a straight line in between, as their tail drags between their feet.
- Damaged Gardens- Iguanas are herbivores, which means they like to eat plants, fruits, and even flowers. If you have a garden, you might notice that your plants have been eaten or chewed on.
- Scratches or Bite Marks- Another sign of iguana activity is scratches left on walls, fences, or trees, as they have sharp claws. They might also leave behind bite marks with their razor-sharp teeth.
Invasive iguanas can wreak havoc on your property and Florida’s ecosystem. If you are dealing with an iguana infestation, contact Nuisance Wildlife Rangers for assistance.
How to Get Rid of Iguanas
There are ways to iguana-proof your property, which might prevent them from returning. You should:
- Remove piles of rocks or branches that they could hide in
- Get rid of desirable plants like collard greens, hibiscus, dandelion, squash, or rose
- Use mesh or chicken wire fencing to prevent iguanas from accessing your garden
- Wrap trees in sheet metal to prevent iguanas from being able to climb them
- Fill in the burrows that iguanas have made in your yard
- Use loud noises or motion-activated sprinklers to scare them off
If you are still dealing with an iguana problem after taking these steps, you might need professional help. Iguanas have sharp claws and teeth and might attack if they feel threatened. Due to this, you should never attempt to catch iguanas on your own.
Instead, contact Nuisance Wildlife Rangers for assistance. We used baited traps to lure iguanas into a cage before removing them from your property.
Since iguanas are invasive, we do not release them into the wild. Instead, we bring them to wildlife rehabilitation centers where they can live in a contained environment to prevent them from continuing to harm the local ecosystem.
Get Connected to an Iguana Removal Service
If you are dealing with nuisance iguanas, you’ve come to the right place. Iguanas can cause significant damage to your property, burrowing through cement and even messing up your home’s foundation. Additionally, they spread diseases like salmonella.
For these reasons, you should never allow iguanas to remain on your property. Instead, contact Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, an animal control company that can trap and remove iguanas from your home.
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 control services.
