Yards everywhere in Florida are plagued by an unusual pest. Not by weeds or brown spots, but by iguanas. Iguanas are a public nuisance that eat from gardens and trees and have the potential to spread disease like Salmonella.
Needless to say, they’re not an animal you want hanging out in your lawn. If you’re curious about why iguanas are invading your yard and how you can get rid of them, keep reading this article.
Why Are Iguanas Invading My Yard?
Iguanas made Florida their home in the 1960s and have been pretty throughout the United States of America ever since. The tropical weather, expansive architecture, and the abundance of food make it a perfect place for these creatures. As long as they have resided in The Sunshine State, they have managed to be a public nuisance.
Iguanas can live in many different environments. So long as there is food, water, and shelter, they will be attracted to your yard.
How to Get Rid of Iguanas
Green iguanas in Florida are classified as a non-native, invasive species. This means they are not protected under any type of protection law except the anti-cruelty law. If you are determined to get rid of iguanas on your own, make sure you follow the law, or else you could be facing some pretty hefty fines.
Block Entry Points
Iguanas are skilled at climbing and often scale trees, houses, telephone poles, or any other structures nearby they can grip onto. Iguanas can get into your yard via tree and tree branches. Put a sheet metal fence at least 1 foot tall around the base of your trees; iguanas can’t grip onto the metal and won’t be able to access the trees.
Using sheet metal or a similar material around the perimeter of your yard will also help to prevent iguanas from wandering in.
Make Modifications
Iguanas will come into your in search of food. One of the mainstays of their diets are plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Some of their favorite foliages are roses, hibiscus, orchids, as well as vegetables like kale, lettuce, broccoli, and beets.
Strong smells and plants like oleander, milkweed, citrus, and other plants with hard, waxy leaves will help turn away iguanas. This is a human way to deter them from entering your yard. To protect your existing plants, put a wire cage over the top over them.
Deter Them
Iguanas are averse to strong smells and loud noises. You can make your own iguana repellent spray. Just follow these steps:
Blend 3 cloves of garlic, 4 habanero peppers with 1 cup of lemon juice. Mix with 1 gallon of water and 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Spray near plants where iguanas typically eat; refrigerate the solution when you aren’t using it.
Hire a Professional
Pest control isn’t something you need to handle on your own. Iguanas are capable of spreading the bacteria Salmonella and other germs. They also bite in self-defense.
If you don’t want to deal with your iguana problem on your own, contact a professional. Professionals are trained to safely trap and remove iguanas from your yard. They can also help you prevent them from coming back.
Solve Your Iguana Problem Today
Iguanas are an invasive reptile that will find their way into your yard seeking food, water, and shelter. Once you have them, they’re hard to get rid of. Take a look at your landscape to see what changes you can make, use a repellent, and contact a professional in iguana control for help.
Did you find this article helpful? Check out the rest of our posts on this site for more posts like this one!
