Frequently Asked Questions

Iguanas are generally not aggressive toward humans, but they can bite or scratch when cornered or threatened. The bigger danger is structural. Their burrows undermine foundations, seawalls, and sidewalks, causing erosion and costly damage. Their droppings also carry salmonella, which is a health risk for anyone who comes in contact with contaminated surfaces.

Yes, extremely dangerous. Cane toads secrete bufotoxin from glands behind their eyes. This toxin is lethal to dogs and cats that lick, bite, or even sniff a cane toad. Symptoms include excessive drooling, head shaking, loss of coordination, and seizures. If your pet has any contact with a cane toad, rinse their mouth with water immediately and call your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away.

Yes. Green iguanas and cane toads are both classified as invasive species in Florida. They can be removed following Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulations. Rocky's uses FWC-permitted (Conditional/Prohibited/Nonnative Species Permit), Florida-compliant methods including hand capture, noosing, trapping, and air rifle. We follow humane practices and avoid unnecessary harm to the animals.

Same-day response is available for most of Southwest Florida. We also maintain a 24/7 emergency line for urgent situations involving pet safety, aggressive animals, or immediate property threats. For standard inspections and ongoing programs, we typically schedule within 24 to 48 hours.

Yes. We provide ongoing suppression and monitoring programs designed for HOAs, golf courses, and private communities. These include regular site visits, monthly reporting with hot spot mapping, and HOA-compliant documentation. We work directly with property managers and board members to keep communities clear of invasive species.

Our free property assessment identifies iguana burrows, cane toad habitats, structural damage, and entry points. We walk the property, document active infestations, assess damage to seawalls and landscaping, and provide a clear recommended action plan. There is no obligation and no cost for the initial inspection.

Pricing depends on the scope of the job. Factors include the size of the property, the severity of the infestation, the type of species involved, and whether you need a one-time removal or an ongoing program. We provide transparent pricing after the free inspection, with no hidden fees. HOA and community programs are priced on a monthly or seasonal basis.

Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency response for situations involving pet safety (especially cane toad encounters), aggressive animals, or immediate threats to property. Call (239) 922-5992 at any time. Standard inspections and routine removals are scheduled during business hours by appointment.

Yes. Golf courses are one of our areas of expertise. Our owner, Chris Rockwell, is a wildlife management specialist with experience at Tiburon Golf Club, The Moorings, and Old Collier Golf Club. He understands how golf courses operate and how iguana infestations affect playability, aesthetics, and infrastructure. We offer customized programs for golf clubs and country clubs.

We serve all of Southwest Florida, including Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Port Royal, Sanibel, and Captiva. If you are in Southwest Florida and have an iguana or cane toad problem, call us. We will let you know if we can reach your location.

Remove food sources by replacing iguana-favorite plants (hibiscus, orchids, bougainvillea) with resistant alternatives (oleander, milkweed, crotons, citrus, society garlic). Trim shrubs 2 feet from your house. Fill burrow entrances temporarily. But DIY methods alone do not work long-term because iguanas return to established burrows and new ones move in from neighboring properties. Professional removal with ongoing suppression is the only permanent solution. Call Rocky's for a free inspection.

Iguanas love hibiscus, orchids, bougainvillea, impatiens, roses, mangoes, figs, berries, tomatoes, and leafy greens. A single adult can eat several pounds per day. They will not eat oleander, milkweed, crotons, citrus, society garlic, lantana, or pentas. Replacing iguana-favorite plants with these resistant alternatives makes your property less attractive.

Sheet metal guards on dock pilings prevent climbing. Motion-activated sprinklers and clearing basking surfaces help temporarily. But deterrents alone do not solve the problem if burrows are already established behind your seawall. Burrows go 6 feet deep and 80 feet long, undermining the wall until it collapses. Professional removal plus burrow remediation is the only long-term solution.

Yes. Iguanas can bite and scratch with sharp claws, and their tails deliver painful slaps. During mating season (April through October), males become territorial and aggressive. Iguana droppings carry salmonella, which can make dogs sick if they sniff or eat the waste. Iguanas also contaminate pool water with bacteria. If your pet encounters an iguana, call your dog back immediately and contact your vet if there are any injuries.

Remove the droppings with a pool net, shock the pool with chlorine, run the filter for 24 hours, and test the water before swimming. Clean the pool deck with a bleach solution. But cleaning the pool only treats the symptom. If iguanas are still on your property, the droppings will return. Professional removal eliminates the source of the contamination.

One-time removal fails because burrows remain open, new iguanas move in from neighboring properties, food sources are unchanged, and nesting sites are not destroyed. Iguanas are territorial and return to established burrows. The only approach that works is professional removal combined with burrow excavation and backfill, nesting season sweeps, habitat modification, and ongoing weekly suppression with hot spot mapping.

Nesting season runs April through October in Southwest Florida. Mating peaks in April and May. Females dig burrows to lay 30 to 70 eggs per clutch, and eggs hatch after about 90 days. This is when burrow damage accelerates and the population explodes. The best strategy is weekly suppression visits that target breeding females before they can establish nesting burrows. Do not wait until nesting season starts to begin a removal program.

Yes. Iguanas burrow under pool equipment pads, removing the soil that supports the concrete slab. This causes the pad to shift, cracks plumbing lines, misaligns pumps and motors, and can damage electrical conduits. Signs include holes near the pad, cracks in the concrete, unusual pump noises, and drops in water pressure. Pool equipment repairs from iguana damage can cost thousands of dollars.

Iguana burrow entrances are 6 to 12 inches in diameter, often with freshly dug lighter-colored soil around the opening. Look behind seawalls, under foundations, near pool equipment pads, along lake and canal banks, in beach dunes, and under decks. Other signs include droppings near the entrance, sunbathing iguanas nearby, stripped landscaping, and unexplained cracks in your hardscape. Burrows go 6 feet deep and 80 feet long.

Green iguanas are dramatically larger than any native Florida lizard. Adults reach 5 feet including the tail. They have a large dewlap under the chin, dorsal spines down the back, and powerful tails. Native lizards like anoles, skinks, and fence lizards are under 10 inches long and do not dig burrows. If the lizard in your yard is over 2 feet long or is digging holes near your seawall, it is an iguana.

Do not grab it with your hands. Iguanas bite and scratch when stressed. Use a pool skimmer to scoop it out and place it away from the pool area. It is illegal to relocate and release iguanas elsewhere in Florida. After removing the iguana, shock the pool, run the filter for 24 hours, and test the water before swimming. To prevent it from happening again, you need professional iguana removal from your property.

Yes. Iguanas are excellent climbers and can enter attics through uncovered roof vents, gaps in soffits, broken roof tiles, unscreened gable vents, and overhanging tree branches. Signs include scratching sounds during the day (iguanas are diurnal), droppings near the roof line, strong odor, and damaged insulation. Do not try to remove an iguana from your attic yourself. Call Rocky's for FWC-permitted professional removal, then seal all access points.

Yes, it is real. When temperatures drop below 50 degrees, green iguanas become sluggish or immobile because they are cold-blooded. They lose their grip on branches and fall. This is called brumation, the reptile version of hibernation. They do not die from the cold. Most wake up when temperatures rise. Iguanas do not go away in winter. They retreat to burrows during cold snaps and come out on warm days. Burrow damage continues underground year-round.

Cost depends on property size, waterfront vs inland, number of iguanas, burrow damage extent, and visit frequency. One-time removal rarely works because populations rebound within weeks. Ongoing suppression (weekly visits, burrow checks, nesting sweeps, hot spot mapping) is more effective and costs less than repairing structural damage. Rocky's offers free property inspections with transparent pricing and no obligation. Call (239) 922-5992 for a free assessment.

Green iguanas are invasive and not protected in Florida. The FWC encourages removal from private property. You can remove them yourself on your own property, but methods must be humane. No poisons are legal for iguanas. No steel traps. Only live traps, snares, and hand capture. It is illegal to relocate and release captured iguanas at another location in Florida. This is the most commonly misunderstood part of the law. Rocky's holds a Conditional/Prohibited/Nonnative Species Permit from the FWC.

No commercial repellent is registered or proven effective for iguanas in Florida. Motion-activated sprinklers, reflective objects, and chemical sprays may deter iguanas temporarily, but iguanas adapt quickly and return. The only effective approach is professional removal combined with habitat modification (removing food sources and filling burrows) and ongoing suppression.

It is technically legal to humanely dispatch iguanas on your own property in some areas, but many Southwest Florida municipalities ban discharging firearms, including air guns, in residential areas. Check your local ordinances before considering this. An improperly dispatched iguana can violate Florida anti-cruelty laws. Professional removal is safer, legal, and more effective.