If you live on the water in Southwest Florida, your dock and seawall are probably iguana territory. Iguanas love waterfront structures. They bask on dock surfaces, sun themselves on seawall caps, and dig burrows into the soft soil behind seawalls. The result is property damage that gets worse every nesting season.
Why Iguanas Love Docks and Seawalls
Waterfront structures offer everything iguanas need: warmth, safety, and soft soil for burrowing. Seawall caps provide flat, sun-warmed surfaces perfect for basking. The soil behind seawalls is easy to dig, and the wall itself creates a solid roof for burrow tunnels. Docks offer elevated basking spots with clear sightlines to spot predators.
The problem is that burrows behind seawalls go 6 feet deep and 80 feet long. These tunnels remove the soil that supports the wall. Over time, the seawall cracks, leans, and eventually collapses. Seawall replacement in Southwest Florida can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
DIY Deterrents That Can Help
Some homeowners try these methods before calling a professional. They can reduce iguana activity temporarily, but they do not solve the underlying problem.
- Sheet metal guards on dock pilings: Wrap smooth sheet metal around pilings about 18 inches from the base. Iguanas cannot grip the smooth surface and cannot climb past it.
- Motion-activated sprinklers: Iguanas do not like being sprayed. These can deter them from basking areas, but they get used to them over time.
- Clear basking surfaces: Remove objects from dock and seawall surfaces that iguanas use for sunning. Keep the area clutter-free.
- Reflective objects: Hanging CDs or reflective tape near basking spots can startle iguanas temporarily. Effectiveness fades quickly.
- Electric fence on seawall caps: Low-voltage electric fencing along seawall tops can deter iguanas from basking. This requires professional installation and maintenance.
Why DIY Deterrents Are Not Enough
Deterrents only address the symptoms. If iguanas have established burrows behind your seawall, no amount of sprinklers or reflective tape will solve the structural threat. The burrows remain, the tunnels continue to undermine the wall, and the iguanas will find new ways to access your property.
Deterrents also do nothing to address the iguana population itself. New iguanas will move in from neighboring waterfront properties. Without removal and ongoing suppression, the problem keeps coming back.
The Professional Approach
A complete solution requires three steps:
- Removal: FWC-permitted capture and removal of all iguanas using your dock and seawall. Methods include hand capture, noosing, trapping, and selective air rifle use within local rules.
- Burrow remediation: Full excavation of burrows behind the seawall, proper backfilling with compacted soil, and structural assessment of the seawall for existing damage.
- Ongoing suppression: Weekly or biweekly visits to monitor for new iguana activity, check for new burrows, and remove any iguanas that return. Monthly hot spot mapping shows exactly where activity is concentrated.
Protecting Your Investment
Your seawall and dock are major investments. A single iguana burrow can cause thousands of dollars in structural damage if left untreated. The cost of professional removal and burrow remediation is a fraction of what seawall replacement costs.
If you have iguanas on your dock or seawall in Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Port Royal, Sanibel, or Captiva, call Rocky's at (239) 922-5992 for a free property inspection. Same-day response available.