Iguanas can wreak havoc on your property, eating landscaping and digging holes. Also, in the USA, they’re an invasive species, and it makes sense you would want to remove and relocate them.

First, relocating iguanas is tricky, because they might harm the ecosystem where you free them. The best options for captured iguanas might be keeping them as pets, humanely euthanizing them, or bringing them to an iguana sanctuary. To remove them, wait for cold weather when they will temporarily become paralyzed, and catch them in the early morning to dispose of them. Alternatively, use a cage trap or a catch pole to capture iguanas alive. Next, you must follow your local laws to humanely relocate or destroy them. Finally, take steps to make your property unappealing to iguanas, such as planting unappetizing plants and discouraging climbing. 

With these techniques, you can get rid of iguanas from your property. Read the rest of this article for detailed instructions on what to do about removing and relocating iguanas. See also my related article “How To Get Rid of Bats In Your Home & Yard Quickly“.

What Are Iguanas?

Iguanas are one to six-foot-long reptiles with elongated bodies, strong limbs, and a crest of spines that runs along their backs. These large lizards are herbivores who eat leaves, fruits, and flowers.

Iguanas are cold-blooded, meaning they can’t regulate their body temperature. Also, they’re excellent climbers and often bask in the sun on tree branches or rocks.

Iguanas are territorial and can be aggressive when humans or other animals come too close to their nests. Moreover, some iguana species have vibrant colors, which they use for camouflage or to signal other iguanas.

Where Do Iguanas Live?

Iguanas aren’t native to any U.S. state, originating primarily from Central and South America. However, green iguanas have become an invasive species in certain regions, including Florida, Hawaii, and Texas.

Their establishment in these states highlights the potential ecological disruptions caused by non-native species. Management strategies to control their populations and mitigate their negative effects are in place in many areas.

Iguana Removal

There are several effective methods for iguana removal. You can choose the one that seems best to you.

One of the best techniques might be to wait for cold temperatures to paralyze iguanas. They will fall to the ground and you can pick them up and dispose of them however you choose.

If there’s no cold weather in the forecast, you might need a more active approach.

Step-by-Step Guide to Live Trapping Iguanas

1. Research and Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with local regulations and guidelines regarding iguana trapping.
• Identify the areas where iguanas are commonly found, such as gardens, trees, or fences.
• Acquire the necessary equipment, including a sturdy live cage trap, bait, heavy gloves, and safety gear.

2. Choose the Right Trap:

• Select a live cage trap appropriate for iguanas, typically made of sturdy metal.
• Ensure the trap has openings too small for iguanas to escape and an automatic closure mechanism.

3. Select Bait:

• Iguanas are herbivores; opt for baits like ripe fruits (mangoes, strawberries) or vegetables (lettuce, squash).
• For added attraction, place fragrant flowers or herbs as a lure within the trap.

4. Set Up the Trap:

• Position the trap in areas with iguana activity, near their favored hangout spots.
• Make sure the trap is on stable ground and won’t tip over easily.
• Keep the trap in a shaded area to prevent overheating of captured iguanas.

5. Bait Placement:

• Carefully place the bait inside the trap, ensuring it’s securely positioned and cannot be easily removed.
• Position the bait near the trigger mechanism to increase the chances of triggering the trap.

6. Trigger Mechanism:

• Adjust the trigger mechanism of the trap as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Some traps use pressure plates, while others use trip wires to trigger closure.

7. Monitor and Check:

• Regularly monitor the trap, checking for captured iguanas.
• Check local regulations regarding the frequency of trap checks to ensure the humane treatment of captured animals.

8. Capturing the Iguana:

• Once an iguana is trapped, approach the cage calmly and avoid sudden movements.
• Wear protective gloves to prevent bites or scratches.

After capture, you can take the iguana to a local wildlife agency, humanely euthanize it, keep it in your home, or find a place to safely and legally relocate it. 

Trapping Iguanas With a Catch Pole

This technique is best suited for experienced trappers due to its intricacies. Crafted from a sturdy, extendable metal rod that resists bending or breaking, the catch pole boasts a robust wire loop at its tip, ensuring the iguana’s secure containment. 

To use it, stealthily approach an iguana and gently place the loop around it’s neck from a distance. Then, tighten the wire to trap the critter. Be sure to maintain a safe distance during this process, which should be easy thanks to the pole’s extendable reach. 

While the catch pole serves for capture, a separate cage or trap bag is still necessary for containing the iguana after capture, as it shouldn’t be left hanging on the pole. For the well-being of the captured iguana, it must be stored in a secure location shielded from extreme temperatures until it reaches its final destination. 

Steps For Relocating Iguanas

1. Once you have successfully captured the iguana, carefully place it in a secure and well-ventilated container.
2. Next, choose an appropriate relocation site that mirrors the iguana’s natural habitat. Moreover, look for a location with abundant vegetation, sunlight, and a water source nearby, such as a forested area, park, or wooded edge.
3. Before releasing the iguana, ensure the temperature of the relocation site matches its preferred range. Iguanas are cold-blooded and require a warm environment, so avoid releasing them in excessively cold conditions.
4. Then, open the container in the chosen area, allowing the iguana to exit at its own pace. Avoid sudden movements or actions that may startle the iguana, as this can lead to stress.
5. Stay at a distance and observe the iguana as it acclimates to its new surroundings.
6. Remember, iguanas are territorial creatures, so releasing multiple iguanas in close proximity may lead to conflicts. Space out the release of multiple iguanas to reduce the likelihood of fights, promoting a smoother transition for each individual.

It’s crucial to prioritize the welfare of the iguana and the ecosystem it is being introduced to during the relocation process. If you are uncertain about how to proceed, consider seeking advice from local wildlife authorities or experts in reptile care and conservation.

Should I Relocate Iguanas?

Outside the USA, you might be able to relocate iguanas. Check your local wildlife regulations to find out how to legally relocate them in a safe and effective way.

Being an invasive species in the USA, it might be harmful to your local environment to relocate iguanas. Read about the legality of relocating iguanas in different states in the following sections.

Iguanas In Florida

In Florida, iguanas have established populations in the subtropical climate, thriving in warm and humid environments. Their presence has raised concerns due to their potential impact on native plants and wildlife.

It’s illegal to relocate iguanas in Florida. All captured iguanas must be kept in captivity or humanely destroyed. 

In fact, iguanas are such a big problem that the City of Miami Beach paid $50,000 to iguana hunters in 2021. Also, there are proposals to start a bounty program to remove more of the invasive reptiles.

Iguanas in Hawaii

Hawaii, an isolated island ecosystem, has also seen the invasion of iguanas, which were likely introduced through the pet trade. These reptiles are considered “injurious wildlife” that threaten the delicate balance of the islands’ specialized environment, as they compete with native species for resources.

In the State, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR 13-124-3 (d)) say “no person shall, or attempt to:

1. Release injurious wildlife into the wild;
2. Transport them to islands or locations within the State where they are not already established and living in a wild state;
3. Export any such species or the dead body or parts thereof, from the State.”

These rules seem to prohibit relocating iguanas because that would be releasing injurious wildlife into the wild.

Iguanas in Texas

In Texas’s southern regions, iguanas have found suitable habitats to establish themselves, benefiting from the warmer climate. There isn’t a law about relocating iguanas in Texas. 

What Will Keep Iguanas Away?

If iguana removal isn’t urgent, or if you have already eliminated the reptiles, you should start some strategies for keeping them away. There are many safe ways to make your property less appealing to iguanas.

Eliminate Iguana Food Sources 

Iguanas enjoy consuming plant foliage, particularly adult iguanas that graze on landscape plants. On the other hand, baby iguanas often feed on smaller creatures like lizards, insects, and birds.

To protect your vegetation, gardeners can make strategic adjustments, such as:

• Shield valuable plants with cages or screened, iguana-proof enclosures. 
• Cultivate plants that iguanas find unappetizing, especially those with sturdy, thick leaves. Plant varieties that repel iguanas include milkweed, citrus, and oleander. 
• Avoid planting species that attract iguanas, such as greens, squashes, melons, hibiscus, roses, and pink pentas.

Finally, fix water leaks or improve drainage if there is standing water. This eliminates drinking sources for iguanas and smaller critters that might be their prey.

Stop Iguanas From Climbing

Iguanas love climbing, and if you eliminate their climbing spots, they’ll find another place to hang out. 

Prevent climbing by installing sheet metal around trees, siding, and dock pilings. Their claws won’t grip into the metal.

Scare Iguanas Away

To deter basking iguanas, you can scare them by using a hose to spray them or employing loud noises to encourage their departure from your property. Consider installing motion-activated sprinklers or noise makers where iguanas tend to bask.

Mitigating Burrowing Activities 

Burrowing iguanas introduce another layer of concern, as they dig beneath the foundations of permanent structures, leading to erosion and instability.

Address this issue by creating an L-shaped wire barrier, effectively thwarting iguanas from digging underneath plants and structures. The bottom of the L should be buried facing away from the building. This way, when an iguana starts to dig down, it hits the barrier and can’t get through.

Also, you can fill vacant burrows with concrete or sand, making sure to perform this task during daylight hours when the animals are not inside. Another strategy involves providing alternative nesting sites, such as arranging mulch or sand piles near seawalls, thus diverting their burrowing tendencies away from your property’s foundations.