Iguana problem?
Pesky iguanas can be a real problem for South Florida pool owners. I know I would be quite unhappy to find a prehistoric-looking creature swimming next to me during my morning laps! These uninvited guests, however, love spending time on our sunny South Florida pool decks and often take the liberty of enjoying our crystal blue pool water. Not only are they an unwanted sight (for most of us!), but they can also pose a health hazard as their (often surprisingly large) poop often contains salmonella, a dangerous bacteria known to cause a host of diseases.
In my experience, the best way to keep iguanas out of our pools is to keep them out of our yards completely. It’s difficult to achieve one without the other. These creature are quite stubborn, though, and there is no foolproof way to accomplish this. Here are a few suggestions, however, that may help:
Landscape with plants that iguanas don’t enjoy munching, such as thicker-leaf types. One of iguanas’ favorite foods, unfortunately, is one of many homeowners’ favorite decorative plants: hibiscus.
If you live near a body of water, place a barrier between the water and your yard. Smaller iguanas can fit through most fences, but this should keep out the larger (and gnarlier!) iguanas.
If you’re really ambitious, you might try trapping these uninvited guests. This article from the Sun Sentinel suggests some ways you might go about this.
Hire a professional! Iguanas are an invasive species in South Florida and they are truly difficult to get rid of. If you’ve tried the above methods and have not found relief, it may be time to hire the pros.
