Expert advice on avoiding and handling an iguana takeover.

Homeowners can discourage invasive green iguanas on their property by making their yards less inviting, says Thomas Portuallo of Fort Lauderdale-based Iguana Control. “Make it known they are not welcome on your property.”

Collapse burrows: Iguanas, which have no natural predators, burrow underground and lay an average of 40 eggs per year. They especially like digging out nests next to seawalls, says Portuallo. “Grab a shovel and collapse the holes, add dirt and keep at it as new holes appear,” says Portuallo. “You don’t need to use concrete or rocks.” This will keep eggs from hatching and will eventually discourage them from nesting on your property, he says.

Iguana-proof plants: Iguanas are herbivores and love to munch on bougainvillea, hibiscus, orchids, mangoes and bananas, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension. Iguana-resistant plants include crotons, ixora, oleander, milkweed and citrus. Never feed iguanas.

Protect plants and trees: Use screens and cages to keep iguanas from devouring landscaping and gardens. Put sheet metal around tree trunks about 18 inches from the base to keep iguanas from climbing them.

Deny access: Keep trees and bushes trimmed and away from buildings so iguanas can’t access roofs or crawl under barrel tiles or eaves to hide.

Scare tactics: Some suggest hanging shiny CD-ROMs on string around your property to deter the lizards. Move them around periodically. Portuallo says shiny objects and plastic owls or snakes only work for a short time until iguanas realize they are stationary and then venture back into yards.

Call in the professionals: If you have a few iguanas, ignore them and live and let live, says Portuallo. Properties harboring more than 20 are considered an infestation that may require professional removal because the animals will continue to multiply exponentially, he says. “The idea is to control. Bring 20 down to two or three.”

For more information, go to the University of Florida IFAS Extension’s page on iguanas at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in528 and IguanaControl.com.