Iguanas in South Florida: Why They're a Serious Pest and What Homeowners Can Actually Do

Green iguanas (Iguana iguana) are a significant invasive wildlife pest problem across Broward and Palm Beach counties — and their population has grown dramatically since the 1990s. The problems iguanas cause: (1) SEAWALL AND FOUNDATION DAMAGE: Iguanas are prolific burrowers. They excavate nesting burrows beneath seawalls, sidewalks, foundations, and pool decks. These burrows destabilize the soil supporting the structures above, leading to seawall cracks, sidewalk subsidence, and in severe cases, structural undermining that requires expensive remediation. Waterfront properties in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Pompano Beach — particularly those with concrete seawalls — face significant and recurring iguana burrowing damage. (2) POOL AND LANDSCAPING DAMAGE: Iguanas defecate in swimming pools, on pool decks, and in ornamental landscaping. Iguana fecal matter poses a Salmonella transmission risk; pool contamination events can require full pool sanitization. (3) PLANT DAMAGE: Iguanas are herbivores with a preference for the ornamental and vegetable plants common in South Florida gardens — they preferentially feed on hibiscus, roses, orchids, croton, and fruit trees, causing significant landscape damage. (4) POPULATION DENSITY: South Florida's iguana population is now one of the densest invasive iguana populations in the world. Urban areas with canal systems, coastal waterways, and ornamental landscaping provide ideal iguana habitat. The lack of natural predators (their natural predators are hawks, snakes, and large mammals that do not exist in suburban South Florida in sufficient numbers) means populations grow unchecked. (5) LEGAL STATUS: Green iguanas are classified as an invasive species in Florida and are not protected. Homeowners have the legal right to remove or kill iguanas on their own property humanely; licensed pest control professionals can also remove them.

Florida's current iguana management framework gives homeowners significant latitude: WHAT IS LEGAL: (1) Homeowners can trap, capture, and humanely kill iguanas on their own property without a permit. 'Humane killing' means using methods that do not cause unnecessary suffering — decapitation, pithing, or COâ‚‚ are accepted methods. Drowning, freezing, or other prolonged death methods are not considered humane and are prohibited under Florida anti-cruelty laws. (2) Iguanas cannot be relocated — they cannot be caught at your property and released elsewhere in Florida. They must either be euthanized or kept as a pet (which essentially means they become your responsibility). (3) Professional iguana removal services can trap, capture, and remove iguanas under the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) guidelines. Licensed pest control professionals holding the appropriate permits can conduct iguana removal programs. (4) FWC encourages lethal removal of iguanas on private property and conducts its own removal programs on public lands. WHAT IS NOT LEGAL: (1) Poisoning iguanas is prohibited — there are no registered poisons for iguana control in Florida, and use of rat poisons or other chemicals on iguanas is illegal. (2) Releasing trapped iguanas on public land is illegal under Florida's invasive species regulations. (3) Shooting iguanas with firearms is illegal in most municipalities in Broward and Palm Beach counties due to discharge-within-city-limits ordinances. AIR GUNS (pellet guns): Legal in some unincorporated areas, regulated or prohibited in municipalities. Check local ordinances. PROFESSIONAL REMOVAL: The most effective and reliable approach for properties with established iguana populations is professional removal programs. Call 561-443-3333 to discuss iguana removal options for your South Florida property.

While no plant is completely iguana-proof (iguanas will eat almost anything when food-stressed), certain plants are significantly less attractive to iguanas due to toxicity, texture, or taste. PLANTS IGUANAS TYPICALLY AVOID: (1) Oleander — highly toxic; iguanas instinctively avoid it. (2) Milkweed — toxic alkaloids deter iguanas. (3) Citrus trees — iguanas avoid citrus in most cases. (4) Agave and cacti — thorns and thick skin deter feeding. (5) Cordyline (Ti plant) — often avoided. (6) Crotons are actually an iguana FAVORITE — if you currently have crotons that are being destroyed, this is why. PLANTS IGUANAS PREFER AND WILL DESTROY: (1) Hibiscus — their absolute favorite in South Florida. (2) Bougainvillea flowers (not the thorny stems, just the flowers). (3) Orchids. (4) Roses. (5) Impatiens. (6) Vegetable gardens — tomatoes, squash, peppers, all highly attractive. (7) Fruit trees — mango, avocado, papaya. LANDSCAPE CHANGES THAT REDUCE IGUANA IMPACT: (1) Replace iguana-preferred ornamentals with less-preferred species. (2) Install chicken wire or hardware cloth barriers around specific plant beds or vegetable gardens. (3) Remove overhanging tree branches that provide iguana access from neighboring properties. (4) Clear burrow sites regularly to discourage nesting establishment. NOTE: These are population management strategies, not elimination strategies. An established iguana population on or adjacent to your property will remain present — management focuses on limiting their impact on specific high-value plantings rather than eliminating the iguanas themselves.

Iguanas are associated with Salmonella transmission risk, which is the primary public health concern with South Florida's iguana population. SALMONELLA RISK: Iguanas carry Salmonella bacteria naturally in their digestive tracts and shed it in their fecal matter. Iguana feces in swimming pools is a genuine Salmonella exposure risk — particularly for children and immunocompromised individuals who may accidentally ingest pool water. A single iguana defecation event in a pool should be treated as a potential contamination event: (1) Remove fecal material. (2) Raise free chlorine levels to 2 ppm and hold for 30 minutes minimum (CDC pool contamination protocol). (3) Ensure pH is between 7.2–7.5 during disinfection period. Iguana feces on pool decks, outdoor furniture, and in garden areas also poses Salmonella transmission risk if humans contact the feces and then touch their mouth. Standard handwashing after outdoor activities eliminates this risk for most healthy adults. CHILDREN AND IMMUNOCOMPROMISED: Higher-risk groups should be kept away from iguana-frequented areas and should not handle iguanas directly. ZOONOTIC DISEASE: Beyond Salmonella, iguanas are not known to transmit other significant diseases to humans in South Florida. They do not transmit mosquito-borne illnesses, do not carry rabies, and bites (which can be severe — iguana teeth are sharp and they can inflict significant lacerations) are the primary direct injury risk from handling.