Iguana & Wildlife Specialists · FWC Permit-Coordinated

Iguanas in the pool screen. Out, humanely.

South Florida iguanas have become a year-round nuisance — they eat hibiscus and bougainvillea, dig under pool decks, drop on cars from trees, and damage screen frames. We trap live, remove humanely, and follow up with screen-frame exclusion so the next iguana can't come back the same way. We don't poison wildlife — and we never trap protected species.

FWC permit-coordinated Same-day trap setup 5.0★ · 220+ wildlife removals
DeBugem wildlife removal — humane live trapping for iguanas, raccoons, and opossums in Palm Beach County
Humane & Permitted

Live trap, humane removal, exclusion. We never poison wildlife. We never trap protected species.

Live Trapping Only FWC Permit-Coordinated Pool-Screen Exclusion No Wildlife Poisoning
Wildlife we handle

What we trap. What we don't.

South Florida wildlife is regulated. Some species are nuisance, some are protected. We work within FWC rules — and we'll tell you upfront when we can't help.

We trap

Iguanas (green & spiny-tailed)

Year-round nuisance, no closed season. Live trap with lettuce + heat-lamp bait. Humane removal. Pool-screen exclusion to prevent re-entry. $145–$280 per call depending on size and screen access.

We trap

Raccoons

Trash bin raiders, attic occupants, soffit-gap intruders. Live trap, FWC-permitted relocation. Yard exclusion (trash-bin lock, soffit seal) included. $180–$340 per call.

We trap

Opossums

Soffit dwellers, garage visitors, occasional pool-deck residents. Live trap, humane removal. Soffit-gap exclusion. $145–$280 per call.

We trap

Armadillos

Lawn diggers — they forage at night for grubs. Live trap, humane relocation. Often we recommend a one-time grub treatment since the armadillo is just chasing them. $180–$320 per call.

We do NOT trap

Bobcats, panthers, manatees

Protected species. Call FWC directly at 888-404-FWCC. We refer all such calls. We never trap protected wildlife — that's a federal violation.

We do NOT trap

Migratory birds, sea turtles

Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act + Endangered Species Act. We never disturb nesting birds (except invasive starlings, sparrows, pigeons during off-nesting season). Sea turtles: FWC referral only.

By the numbers

220+

wildlife removals across PBC in 2024. About 60% iguanas, 25% raccoons, 15% opossums and other.

Iguana calls have tripled in PBC since 2018 as the population has grown. Boca canal-side, Wellington equestrian, and Jupiter Loxahatchee-river homes generate the highest call volume. We have an FWC-permitted relocation arrangement that handles year-round volume — including invasive Burmese python referrals when those occasional calls come in (we don't trap Burmese — we refer to FWC's Python Action Team).

The process

How an iguana job actually goes.

Inspection

Same-day or next-day. Walk the property. Confirm species (iguana vs raccoon vs other). Identify entry points — pool screen, soffit gap, deck overhang.

Trap setup

Live trap with appropriate bait (lettuce + heat for iguana; cat food for raccoon; sweet fruit for opossum). Multiple traps for active populations. Checked daily.

Humane removal

Trapped animal removed, humanely euthanized (iguana, per FWC) or relocated to permitted release site (raccoon, opossum, armadillo). Documentation provided.

Exclusion

Pool screen frames sealed with chicken wire below the bottom rail. Trash bin locks installed. Soffit gaps sealed with hardware cloth. The next animal physically can't get in the same way.

What iguanas actually damage

Why this is more than a nuisance.

Property damage

  • Pool screen frames. Iguanas push through screen and the bottom rail bends. $400–$1,800 to replace a damaged section.
  • Hibiscus, bougainvillea, orchids. Iguanas eat flowering plants down to the stems. A mature hibiscus hedge takes 2 years to recover.
  • Pool-deck pavers. Burrows under deck create voids that lead to paver cave-in. Repair: $1,200+.
  • Sea wall & foundation. Burrowing iguanas can undermine canal-side sea walls and home foundations on extreme cases.

Health and pet risk

  • Salmonella. Iguana feces in your pool deck or yard is a routine salmonella vector — keep pets and kids away.
  • Falling iguanas. When temperatures drop below 50°F, iguanas in trees go into torpor and fall. They've cracked windshields and injured pets.
  • Pet aggression. A cornered iguana will bite. Tail-whip injuries to dogs are common in PBC vet clinics.

All the more reason to handle the problem before it gets worse.

Honest pricing

What it costs.

Quoted flat per call. Free inspection.

Iguana single removal

$145 – $280

Trap setup, single animal removal, FWC documentation. Best for an isolated visitor.

Most calls: $180

Iguana + screen exclusion

$320 – $580

Includes the removal plus chicken-wire exclusion below the pool screen frame. The exclusion is what stops the next iguana from coming back. Most popular tier.

Most jobs: $420

Multi-animal program

$520 – $1,200

Persistent iguana population (3+ animals over a season). Multiple traps, weekly checks for 2–4 weeks, full property exclusion review. Common in canal-side communities.

Most jobs: $750

Raccoon, opossum, armadillo single calls quoted similarly. HOA volume contracts available for canal-side communities with chronic issues.

FAQ

Iguana & wildlife questions.

Are iguanas legal to trap and kill?
Yes — iguanas are an invasive species in Florida and have no legal protection. Property owners can trap them year-round. We follow FWC humane euthanasia guidelines. We do not relocate iguanas — Florida law prohibits it (relocation just spreads the invasive population).
Can I just shoot the iguana on my property?
Generally yes within Florida law for invasive species, but municipal firearm-discharge ordinances vary widely (most PBC towns prohibit it within town limits). Trap-and-remove is legal, safe, and cleaner. Pellet rifle approaches sometimes work but require humane-strike skill — most homeowners would rather hire it out.
How fast can you set a trap?
Same-day in most cases. We bring traps on the inspection visit if you confirm an active iguana before we arrive. Trap is set, we check daily until empty.
Will the next iguana just come back?
Without exclusion, yes — usually within 2–8 weeks. Iguanas are territorial; once a yard is on the route, the next one will scout. The fix is screen-frame chicken wire (or pool-deck mesh), not just trapping. We always recommend exclusion as part of any iguana job.
I have a raccoon in my attic.
Different protocol than iguana. Live trap (cat food bait), humane FWC-permitted relocation. Once the raccoon is out, we seal the soffit-gap entry point with hardware cloth. If it's a mother with babies, we wait until the kits are mobile (usually 6–8 weeks) before relocating — separating mother from kits is illegal under Florida law.
I think I have a Burmese python.
Don't approach. Call FWC's Python Action Team directly at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681). They handle Burmese python captures across South Florida. Most "I think it's a python" calls in PBC turn out to be water snakes or small alligators — but if it's actually a Burmese, FWC has the right team and equipment.

Iguana on the seawall? On the call list.

Humane removal + exclusion across Palm Beach County. Same-day for active sightings.