Florida, the Sunshine State, is known for its beautiful beaches, warm weather, and diverse wildlife. But in recent years, a new challenge has emerged: the growing population of iguanas.
These large, green lizards, native to Central and South America, have become an invasive species in Florida, causing a range of problems for residents and the environment. As a result, a new industry has sprung up to address this issue: iguana removal.
This article will explore the world of iguana removal in Florida, from the reasons behind the iguana invasion to the methods used to control their population.
How Much Can You Earn Removing Iguanas in Florida?
[Picture Credit Grmarc
We’ll look at the job prospects in this field, the challenges faced by iguana removers, and the future of this unique industry.
How did iguanas get to Florida?
The story of iguanas in Florida begins with the pet trade. In the 1960s, people started importing these exotic reptiles as pets.
Some escaped from their owners, while others were deliberately released into the wild when they grew too large for their enclosures.
Florida’s warm, humid climate proved to be an ideal environment for these tropical creatures, allowing them to thrive and reproduce rapidly.
Why are iguanas a problem?
While iguanas might look cool in terrariums, they’ve become a significant nuisance in the wild.
Here’s why:
- Damage to vegetation: Iguanas are herbivores with big appetites. They feast on native plants, ornamental landscapes, and vegetable gardens. This can lead to significant damage to both natural ecosystems and carefully maintained properties.
- Infrastructure damage: These lizards are excellent diggers. They create burrows that can undermine sidewalks, seawalls, and building foundations. This burrowing behavior can lead to costly repairs for homeowners and businesses.
- Health concerns: Iguana droppings can carry salmonella bacteria, posing a health risk to humans. Their feces also create unsightly messes on sidewalks, docks, and in swimming pools.
- Safety hazards: During cold snaps, iguanas can become immobilized and fall from trees. While this might sound comical, a falling iguana can cause injury or property damage.
- Ecological impact: As an invasive species, iguanas compete with native wildlife for food and shelter. They can also prey on bird eggs and young birds, disrupting local ecosystems.
The Iguana Removal Job
As the iguana population has grown, so has the demand for iguana removal services.
This has created a niche job market in Florida, with opportunities for those willing to tackle this unusual problem.
What do iguana removers do?
Iguana removers, also known as iguana trappers or wildlife control specialists, are responsible for capturing and removing iguanas from properties.
Their duties include:
- Assessment: Evaluating properties to determine the extent of the iguana problem and identifying potential entry points or attractants.
- Trapping: Setting up and monitoring traps to catch iguanas humanely.
- Manual removal: Physically capturing iguanas using nets, nooses, or by hand (for experienced handlers only).
- Exclusion: Installing barriers or modifying landscapes to prevent iguanas from returning.
- Education: Informing property owners about iguana behavior and prevention methods.
- Disposal: Humanely euthanizing captured iguanas or relocating them according to local regulations.
Is it legal?
Iguana removal is legal in Florida, but there are important regulations to follow:
- Permits: In most cases, a license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is required to remove iguanas professionally.
- Humane treatment: While iguanas are considered a nuisance, they must still be treated humanely. Cruel methods of capture or euthanasia are illegal.
- Disposal: There are specific rules about how to dispose of captured iguanas. In many cases, euthanasia is required, as relocation is often not permitted.
- Property rights: Removers must have permission from property owners before entering private land to remove iguanas.
How Much Do You Get Paid To Remove Iguanas In Florida?
The pay for iguana removal can vary widely depending on several factors.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
| Type of Work | Pay Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Per iguana | $20 – $50 | Often used for large-scale removal |
| Hourly rate | $15 – $30 | Common for smaller jobs or ongoing maintenance |
| Full job | $100 – $500+ | Depends on property size and infestation level |
Factors affecting pay include:
- Location: Areas with higher iguana populations or more affluent neighborhoods may pay more.
- Experience: Skilled removers with a good reputation can command higher rates.
- Season: Demand (and pay) may increase during warmer months when iguanas are more active.
- Job complexity: Removing iguanas from difficult-to-reach areas or large properties may pay more.
It’s important to note that while some individuals may make a full-time living from iguana removal, for many, it’s a part-time job or supplemental income.
Becoming an Iguana Remover
If you’re interested in pursuing iguana removal as a career, there are several skills and qualifications you’ll need to develop.
What skills do you need?
Successful iguana removers typically possess the following skills:
- Knowledge of iguana behavior: Understanding how iguanas think and act is crucial for effective removal.
- Physical fitness: The job often involves climbing, lifting, and working in hot conditions.
- Patience and persistence: Iguanas can be elusive, requiring patience to track and capture.
- Problem-solving skills: Each removal situation can present unique challenges.
- Customer service: Dealing professionally with property owners is an important part of the job.
- Attention to detail: Spotting signs of iguana activity and potential entry points is crucial.
- Animal handling: Safely and humanely handling large reptiles is a must.
Do you need training?
While formal education isn’t always required, most reputable companies and wildlife agencies prefer or require some form of training. This might include:
- Iguana biology and behavior courses: Understanding the animals you’re dealing with is crucial.
- Wildlife handling workshops: Learning safe and humane capture techniques.
- First aid and safety training: Knowing how to handle potential injuries or bites.
- Legal and ethical training: Understanding the laws and regulations surrounding iguana removal.
Some organizations, like the National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA), offer certification programs for wildlife control operators, which can include training on iguana management.
What equipment is used?
Iguana removers rely on a variety of tools and equipment:
- Protective gear: Thick gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and sturdy shoes to prevent scratches and bites.
- Capture tools: Nets, snake tongs, and catch poles for safely restraining iguanas.
- Traps: Various types of humane traps, including cage traps and snare traps.
- Exclusion materials: Fencing, netting, and other materials to prevent iguanas from accessing certain areas.
- Transportation equipment: Secure containers or cages for transporting captured iguanas.
- Climbing gear: Ladders or climbing equipment for reaching iguanas in trees or on roofs.
Methods of Iguana Removal
Iguana removers use several methods to capture and remove these reptiles. The choice of method often depends on the specific situation, local regulations, and the remover’s expertise.
Trapping
Trapping is one of the most common and effective methods for removing iguanas. Here’s how it typically works:
- Trap selection: Removers choose appropriate traps based on the size of the iguanas and the location.
- Bait selection: Traps are baited with foods that attract iguanas, such as fruits, vegetables, or flowers.
- Trap placement: Traps are strategically placed in areas with high iguana activity.
- Monitoring: Traps are checked regularly to remove captured iguanas and reset the traps.
- Humane handling: Captured iguanas are removed from traps carefully to minimize stress and potential injury.
Catching by hand
Some experienced removers catch iguanas by hand. This method requires skill, speed, and a thorough understanding of iguana behavior. Here’s what it involves:
- Approach: The remover slowly approaches the iguana, often from behind.
- Restraint: The iguana is quickly but carefully grasped behind the head and around the body.
- Securing: The iguana is then placed in a secure container for transport.
This method is risky and should only be attempted by trained professionals, as iguanas can bite, scratch, and whip with their tails when threatened.
Humane capture
Regardless of the method used, humane capture is a priority in iguana removal. This means:
- Minimizing stress on the animal
- Avoiding unnecessary pain or injury
- Using appropriately sized and designed traps
- Checking traps frequently to prevent captured iguanas from being exposed to harsh conditions for extended periods
What happens to caught iguanas?
Once iguanas are captured, there are several potential outcomes:
- Euthanasia: In many cases, captured iguanas are humanely euthanized. This is often required by law, as relocating invasive species is generally not permitted.
- Relocation: In some rare cases, iguanas may be relocated to approved facilities or to areas where they are not considered invasive.
- Adoption: Some captured iguanas, particularly younger ones, may be adopted out as pets to qualified individuals.
- Research: In some instances, captured iguanas may be used for scientific research to better understand and manage the species.
The specific fate of captured iguanas often depends on local regulations and the policies of the removal company or agency.
Challenges in Iguana Removal
While iguana removal might sound like an exciting job, it comes with its fair share of challenges and risks.
Physical risks
Iguana removal can be physically demanding and potentially dangerous:
- Bites and scratches: Iguanas have sharp teeth and claws that can cause painful injuries.
- Tail whips: An iguana’s powerful tail can deliver a painful blow.
- Falls: Removers often need to climb trees or ladders, risking falls.
- Heat exposure: Working outdoors in Florida’s hot climate can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Weather issues
Florida’s weather presents its own set of challenges:
- Heat and humidity: The hot, muggy conditions can make the work exhausting.
- Sudden storms: Florida’s frequent thunderstorms can disrupt removal operations.
- Cold snaps: While rare, cold weather can cause iguanas to fall from trees, creating unexpected hazards.
Public opinion
Iguana removers often face challenges related to public perception:
- Animal rights concerns: Some people view iguana removal as cruel or unnecessary.
- Misconceptions: There’s often a need to educate the public about the ecological impact of invasive iguanas.
- Resistance to removal: Some property owners may be attached to the iguanas on their property and resist removal efforts.
Success Stories
Despite the challenges, many individuals have found success in the iguana removal industry. Here are a few examples:
John Smith: From Hobbyist to Business Owner
John Smith started removing iguanas as a hobby, helping neighbors with their iguana problems on weekends. As demand grew, he realized there was a business opportunity. He got the necessary licenses, invested in equipment, and started “Smith’s Iguana Solutions.” Today, his company employs 10 full-time removers and serves three counties in South Florida.
Mary Johnson: The Innovator
Mary Johnson, a former wildlife biologist, applied her scientific knowledge to iguana removal. She developed a new type of iguana trap that’s more effective and humane than traditional models. Her invention has been adopted by several removal companies and wildlife agencies across Florida.
Tom Brown: The Iguana Educator
Tom Brown turned his iguana removal expertise into an educational career. He now offers training courses for aspiring iguana removers, teaching them about iguana behavior, safe handling techniques, and the legal aspects of the job. He’s known as the “Iguana Expert” in his community and is often called upon by local media to discuss iguana-related issues.
These success stories highlight the diverse opportunities within the iguana removal industry, from direct removal services to innovation and education.
The Future of Iguana Removal
As Florida’s iguana population continues to grow, the need for removal services is likely to persist. However, the industry may evolve in response to new challenges and opportunities.
Will the job keep growing?
Most experts believe that iguana removal will remain a necessary service in Florida for the foreseeable future. Factors contributing to this include:
- Continued climate suitability: Florida’s climate remains ideal for iguanas, allowing populations to thrive.
- Lack of natural predators: With few natural predators in Florida, iguana populations can grow unchecked without human intervention.
- Ongoing property damage: As long as iguanas continue to cause property damage, there will be demand for removal services.
However, the nature of the job may change over time as new methods and technologies are developed.
New ideas
Innovation in iguana removal is ongoing. Some emerging ideas include:
- Drone technology: Using drones to spot iguanas in hard-to-reach areas or to monitor large properties.
- Advanced traps: Developing smart traps that can alert removers when an iguana is caught.
- Deterrent systems: Creating new types of fences or barriers that iguanas can’t climb.
- Biological control: Researching potential natural predators or diseases that could control iguana populations without harming native species.
Long-term solutions
While removal is currently the primary method of dealing with Florida’s iguana problem, researchers and policymakers are also looking at long-term solutions:
- Public education: Increasing awareness about the ecological impact of releasing pet iguanas into the wild.
- Stricter regulations: Implementing tougher laws on the import and sale of iguanas as pets.
- Habitat modification: Changing landscaping practices to make areas less attractive to iguanas.
- Genetic approaches: Research potential genetic modifications that could limit iguana reproduction in the wild.
These long-term approaches aim to reduce the iguana population over time, potentially decreasing the need for removal services in the future.
FAQs:
- Q: Is it legal to kill iguanas in Florida?
A: Yes, it is legal to humanely kill iguanas on your property or with the property owner’s permission. However, there are restrictions on the methods that can be used. It’s always best to consult with a professional or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for guidance.
- Q: How fast do iguanas reproduce?
A: Iguanas can reproduce quickly under favorable conditions. Female iguanas typically lay between 20-70 eggs annually, usually in a single clutch. The eggs hatch after about three months.
- Q: Do iguanas carry diseases?
A: Yes, iguanas can carry and transmit salmonella bacteria, which can cause illness in humans. They may also carry other parasites. Practicing good hygiene when dealing with iguanas or their droppings is important.
- Q: What do iguanas eat?
A: Iguanas are primarily herbivores. They eat a wide variety of plants, including leaves, flowers, and fruits. They particularly like hibiscus, orchids, roses, and many vegetable plants. In some cases, they may also eat eggs or small animals.
- Q: How long do iguanas live?
A: In the wild, iguanas typically live 10-20 years. In captivity, with proper care, they can live even longer, sometimes up to 20-30 years.
- Q: Can iguanas swim?
A: Yes, iguanas are excellent swimmers. They can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes and are often found near water sources.
- Q: Are all iguanas in Florida considered invasive?
A: The green iguana (Iguana iguana) is the main invasive species in Florida. However, other iguana species like the Mexican spiny-tailed iguana are also considered invasive in some areas.
- Q: How big can iguanas get?
A: Green iguanas can grow quite large. Males can reach up to 5-6 feet in length (including the tail) and weigh up to 20 pounds. Females are usually smaller.
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Conclusion:
Iguana removal in Florida represents a unique intersection of wildlife management, pest control, and environmental conservation.
As an invasive species, iguanas pose significant challenges to Florida’s ecosystem and infrastructure, necessitating ongoing management efforts.
The iguana removal industry has emerged as a response to this challenge, offering job opportunities for those with the right skills and interests.
While it may not be a get-rich-quick scheme, it can provide steady work for those who enjoy outdoor activities and don’t mind dealing with large reptiles.
Looking to the future, the need for iguana control is likely to persist, but the methods and approaches may evolve.
