Green iguanas (Iguana iguana) are not protected under Florida state law or federal law. They are a non-native invasive species, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) actively encourages their removal from private property. While no special permit is required to remove iguanas from land you own or control, Florida law does prohibit causing unnecessary suffering to any animal under Florida Statute §828.12. All removal must be conducted humanely. Apex Iguana Control operates in full compliance with FWC guidelines and Florida statutes.

Yes — iguana removal is fully legal in Florida. The FWC formally designates green iguanas as an invasive species and supports their removal and humane killing on private property. No special license is required for property owners to remove iguanas from their own land. Professional companies like Apex Iguana Control operate under FWC-issued authorizations and employ methods consistent with Florida's wildlife management regulations. We are registered with FWC as a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) and maintain compliance with FDACS and all relevant state authorities.

Green iguanas are native to Central and South America. They arrived in South Florida primarily through the exotic pet trade — released or escaped animals established feral populations that have expanded dramatically over the past several decades. Florida's warm climate, abundant vegetation, and lack of natural predators created ideal conditions for unchecked population growth.

The FWC classifies the green iguana as one of Florida's most harmful invasive species because of the extensive damage they cause to infrastructure, native plant ecosystems, seawalls, and private property. Unlike native wildlife, invasive iguanas have no ecological role in Florida's environment — they compete with and displace native species while providing no ecological benefit.

Iguana damage falls into several categories:

Structural: Burrowing beneath seawalls, pool decks, driveways, and building foundations causes soil erosion and long-term structural instability. Seawall failure due to iguana burrowing is a significant and costly problem in South Florida waterfront communities.

Landscaping: Iguanas are voracious feeders. They consume ornamental plants, fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and native plantings at rates that can devastate carefully maintained landscaping in a short period.

Sanitation: Iguana feces contain Salmonella and other pathogens. Contamination of pools, outdoor eating areas, docks, and children's play areas poses direct public health concerns.

Irrigation and Hardscape: Burrowing activity damages irrigation systems, underground utilities, and hardscape surfaces including pool decks and paved areas.

Yes. Burrowing is one of the most damaging behaviors associated with green iguanas in South Florida. They excavate burrows for shelter, thermoregulation, and nesting. Burrows can extend several feet underground and are most commonly found near:

• Seawalls and canal banks
• Pool decks and patios
• Building foundations
• Retaining walls
• Sidewalks and driveways

Over time, extensive burrowing compromises the structural integrity of these surfaces. Seawalls are particularly vulnerable — repeated burrowing removes the compacted soil that supports the wall structure, accelerating deterioration and potentially leading to collapse. Early removal and ongoing population suppression significantly reduce burrowing damage.

This is one of the most important considerations for South Florida property owners. Because green iguanas are widespread throughout the region, removing individuals from a property does not prevent new iguanas from moving in — particularly on properties near canals, lakes, golf courses, or green corridors. One-time removal rarely produces lasting results in high-density areas.

This is precisely why Apex Iguana Control operates on a subscription service model rather than per-animal billing. Regular scheduled visits progressively suppress the local population, reduce the attractiveness of the property to new iguanas, and allow technicians to identify and address harborage sites before populations rebuild. Our Elite service tier also includes barrier enhancements designed to deter re-entry between visits.

The safest and most effective approach is professional removal by trained, licensed technicians using FWC-compliant methods. Untrained individuals attempting to handle or trap iguanas risk injury — adult iguanas are strong animals capable of inflicting significant scratches and bites, and their tails can deliver a forceful strike.

Apex Iguana Control technicians are trained in safe capture and humane removal techniques that comply fully with Florida wildlife regulations. We assess each property individually and deploy strategies appropriate for the species density, property layout, and specific problem areas including seawalls, landscaping, and interior spaces.

Yes. Waterfront and seawall properties represent some of our most critical service environments. Green iguanas are strongly attracted to canal edges, lake banks, and seawall surfaces for basking and burrowing. Without intervention, waterfront iguana populations can cause progressive seawall damage that becomes structurally and financially significant over time.

Apex Iguana Control offers dedicated Waterfront Premium service, which applies a $75 monthly premium above standard residential rates and includes seawall-specific treatment protocols. We also serve commercial marina properties, HOA waterfront communities, and canal-adjacent residential neighborhoods throughout Palm Beach and Broward County.

Apex Iguana Control uses a subscription-based pricing model designed for ongoing population management rather than one-time capture.

Residential Plans:
Standard — $249/month (bi-weekly service, 2 visits/month)
Advanced — $349/month (weekly service, 4 visits/month)
Elite — $449/month (weekly service + priority response, barrier enhancements, 1 emergency credit/year)

Waterfront Premium: +$75/month added to any residential plan.

Golf Course Plans: Beginning at $2,500/month — contact us for a custom assessment.

Emergency Interior Removal: Flat $199 per incident. After-hours and weekend rate applies an additional $50 surcharge.

All residential plans carry a 3-month minimum commitment. Billing is automatic on a monthly cycle.

Apex Iguana Control currently serves Palm Beach County and Broward County exclusively. We do not currently service Miami-Dade County.

Palm Beach County service cities include: Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth Beach, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and surrounding communities.

Broward County service cities include: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Plantation, Davie, and surrounding areas.

If you are unsure whether your property falls within our service territory, contact us directly at (561) 451-5569 or by email at [email protected].