The most common question we get from Naples and Fort Myers homeowners is simple: is it legal to remove iguanas? The short answer is yes. Green iguanas are an invasive species in Florida, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission actively encourages their removal. But the details matter. There are rules about how you can remove them, where you can release them, and who is permitted to do the work. This post answers the questions we hear most often.
Are Iguanas Protected in Florida?
No. Green iguanas are classified as a conditional species by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They are not native to Florida, they are not protected, and the state actively encourages their removal from the landscape. Green iguanas cause significant damage to seawalls, foundations, landscaping, and infrastructure across Southwest Florida.
However, this does not mean iguanas can be treated in any way you see fit. Florida animal cruelty laws still apply. Removal methods must be humane. Anyone removing iguanas is expected to follow FWC guidelines, whether the work is done by a homeowner on their own property or by a permitted professional.
Can I Remove Iguanas Myself?
Yes, you can remove iguanas on your own property. But the methods you use must be humane and legal. The FWC allows homeowners to remove iguanas using specific methods:
- Live traps: Cage traps that capture the iguana alive for humane dispatch.
- Snares: Pole snares used to capture iguanas by hand.
- Hand capture: Physically catching the iguana, typically for smaller animals.
What is not allowed:
- Poisons: No poisons are registered or legal for iguanas in Florida. There is no chemical product approved for iguana control, and using one would be illegal and dangerous.
- Steel traps or body-gripping traps: These are not permitted for iguana removal and violate animal cruelty laws.
The practical reality is that most homeowners are not equipped to handle iguanas humanely, safely, and consistently. Iguanas are fast, they bite and whip their tails when cornered, and removing one iguana does nothing to address the burrow or the rest of the population.
Can I Relocate and Release Iguanas Somewhere Else?
No. This is the most misunderstood part of iguana removal law in Florida. It is illegal to capture an iguana and release it at another location in the state. Green iguanas are a conditional species, and the law prohibits their relocation and release.
This means you cannot trap an iguana in your yard, drive it to a park or canal, and let it go. Doing so spreads the invasive species to new areas and violates Florida law. Once an iguana is captured, it must be humanely dispatched by a permitted individual. This is why relocation is never part of a legitimate iguana removal plan.
Can I Shoot Iguanas With a Pellet Gun?
Technically, the FWC allows the use of air rifles for humane dispatch of iguanas. However, many municipalities in Southwest Florida ban the discharge of firearms, including air guns, in residential areas. Before considering this option, you must check your local ordinances.
Even where it is legal, there are practical concerns. Discharging an air rifle in a residential neighborhood carries risk to neighbors, pets, and property. The FWC requires that any dispatch be humane, meaning a clean shot that kills the animal quickly. For most homeowners, this is not a realistic or responsible approach.
What Permit Does Rocky's Hold?
Rocky's Cane Toad and Iguana Management holds a Conditional/Prohibited/Nonnative Species Permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This permit authorizes the removal of conditional and prohibited species, including green iguanas and cane toads, using approved methods.
Rocky's is also licensed and insured. This matters because it means the work is covered, the methods are documented, and the company is accountable. A permitted, insured professional operates within the law and can provide records of the work performed.
What Methods Does Rocky's Use?
Rocky's uses a combination of FWC-approved removal methods depending on the property, the iguana behavior, and the conditions on site:
- Hand capture: For accessible iguanas, particularly smaller animals or those in confined spaces.
- Noosing: Pole snares used to capture iguanas from a distance, often from trees, seawalls, or roofs.
- Trapping: Live cage traps set in active iguana corridors, checked regularly.
- Air rifle: Used within FWC and local rules for humane dispatch where appropriate.
Removal is not a one-time event. Rocky's provides weekly suppression, burrow checks, nesting season sweeps, and monthly reporting. This ongoing approach is what keeps the population from rebounding. During nesting season, which runs April through October, females lay 30 to 70 eggs per clutch. Without consistent sweeps, the population explodes.
Get a Free Inspection
If you have iguanas on your property and want them removed legally and humanely, the first step is a free property inspection. Rocky's will assess your property, identify burrows and active iguanas, and explain the removal plan. We serve Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Port Royal, Sanibel, and Captiva. Call (239) 922-5992 to schedule your free inspection. Same-day response and 24/7 emergency service available.