Iguanas on Frances Street

At Monday's July 20th Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association we had Kim Gabel of the Monroe County Extension Service discuss the services available to us from her organization, and to fill us in on the Iguana situation.

Kim indicated that we can turn to the Extension service for any horticultural problems we might have by calling her at 305-292-4501, or dropping by her office in the County building on Simonton Street.

She then discussed the Iguana situation. Not only do iguanas destroy people’s gardens and treasured plants, but they can make quite a mess, and are not welcome visitors in most people’s yards.

Unfortunately as Iguanas have no natural predators in the Keys there is not too much that can be done.

• On a personal basis you can have your pest iguana removed by a Wildlife Control Officer (more on that to follow).


• Do not feed the iguanas as that will encourage them to stay in your yard and breed there, producing more iguanas to torment your neighbors.


• You can plant shrubs and trees that iguanas do not like to eat. Most native plants are not high on an iguana’s list. They love orchids, impatiens, and hibiscus, but milkweed, pentas, oleanders, plumbago, porterweed, wild coffee, lantana, croton and citrus are not preferred food choices. Trees that are not desirable to iguanas are Buttonwood, Ironwood, Gumbo Limbo, and Jamaican Caper. They will avoid toxic and thick-leaved plants.


• If you find their nests destroy their eggs. One study recommended by the University of Florida Museum of Natural History is to create nest boxes to trap them during the nesting season (December-May). To learn more about nest boxes visit their website .
  

Chris Guinto, a Florida Keys Wildlife Control Operator also spoke to the group. He is available to capture unwanted iguanas. Contact him at 305-896-5572 or by email at whiteapeman@gmail.com. Chris said the three areas in Key West that have the most iguanas are College Road, The Salt Marsh area, and the Key West Cemetery. Chris said the old caved in graves in the southwest quadrant of the cemetery are ideal nesting sites for the iguanas, and due to the nature of the graves, it is almost impossible to catch the iguanas and stop them from nesting. Therefore we have a major breeding ground in our neighborhood, producing hundreds of iguanas. The only real solution – get a dog.