City of Miami Beach/PHS Islands

Iguana Control Update

The City of Miami Beach is working closely with the Palm Hibiscus Star Islands Association to identify iguana mitigation needs on the islands. The city is currently focused on removing iguanas from the city’s right-of-way (ROW).

Over the next few weeks, you may see the companies listed below working throughout the median and ROW areas. Please note, the companies cannot enter private property as part of the city’s services. At the request of the PHS Islands Association, the city is exploring a mechanism to further develop services, which may include private property.

Iguana Removal Companies

·       Redline Iguana

·       Blue Iguana dba Iguana Control

·       M&J Ecological

·       Iguana Busters

Iguana Facts

Iguanas are considered an invasive species in the state of Florida. Without natural predators, these animals have been able to multiply in record numbers — causing significant damage along the entire Florida coastline. Iguanas can destroy residential and commercial landscape and vegetation as well as threaten our native and endangered species. They can also transmit the infectious bacterium Salmonella to humans through contact with water or surfaces contaminated by their feces.

Iguanas are a regional concern regulated by Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and residents are encouraged to follow the recommendations provided below to help deter green iguanas from private properties.

To further enhance remediation efforts, the city has hired several iguana removal contractors to provide removal services on city-owned/governed public property, including parks, greenspaces and near waterways, seven days a week in South, Mid, and North Beach areas. Vendors will be posting signage in the vicinity of their work.

Thus far, in a week or two of “blitz” efforts, the city has removed over 1,000 iguanas from Miami Beach. The iguana removal project is ongoing. The next step will be working with HOAs and/or private property owners to work together on a second phase of efforts to continue removing iguanas from private property backyards, green spaces and seawalls. We want to thank residents in advance for their patience as we all navigate this relatively new nuisance together.

How You Can Deter Iguanas on Private Property

Deter iguanas by modifying the habitat around your home or humanely harassing the iguana using the following methods:

·       Removing plants that act as attractants

·       Filling in holes to discourage burrowing

·       Hanging wind chimes or other items that make intermittent noises

·       Hanging CDs that have reflective surfaces

·       Spraying the animals with water as a deterrent

·      Never feed iguanas directly or inadvertently by leaving pet foods or ripened fruits outside.

·       Avoid planting vegetation that iguanas eat.

.   Place a piece of sheet metal around a dock piling or tree trunk approximately 18 inches from the ground to prevent iguanas from climbing.

Iguana-resistant plants include:

·       Milkweed

·       Some pentas

·       Citrus

·       Some crotons

·       Tough, thick leaved plants

·       Protect valuable plants or gardens with cages or screened enclosures.

Our city will continue to prioritize curbing the iguana population as well as developing strategies for a long-term remediation program.

Visit the City’s Iguana Information webpage for more information.