If you’ve ever noticed small, pellet-like droppings around your yard or home, there’s a chance you have iguanas living nearby. Iguana droppings can be a nuisance, but they also provide clues about these interesting lizards.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about identifying, cleaning, and preventing iguana droppings.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Iguana droppings are small, pellet-like poops that are usually dark brown or black. They can be cleaned up by scooping or sweeping and pose little health risk.

Preventing iguana droppings involves excluding the lizards from your yard by sealing entry points and removing food sources.

Identifying Iguana Droppings

Size and Shape

Iguana droppings generally resemble those of other lizards, being about 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch long and 1⁄4 inch thick. They are oblong, segmented, and relatively uniform in size and shape for an individual iguana.

The size and amount can vary based on the age and size of the iguana, with juveniles producing smaller, more frequent droppings. An adult green iguana can produce a staggering amount of poop, with some reports of over 100 stool deposits per day!

Color

The color of iguana feces can range from brown to greenish-brown or even dark green. The variations depend on the individual reptile’s diet – those eating more greens will produce brighter and greener droppings.

The texture is fairly firm and dry, again owing to the fibrous and vegetation-heavy meals iguanas enjoy. You may see small bits of undigested plant material in the poop. The droppings are often described as having a strong, pungent odor, especially from male iguanas.

Location

Given how much poop iguanas can create, owners often find their droppings scattered all around the habitat or enclosure. Check places where the iguana likes to perch or bask – you will likely discover little piles underneath these spots. Droppings may also accumulate below feeding stations.

Since iguanas enjoy climbing, it’s not unusual to find poop on higher shelves or surfaces around their homes. Females may produce nests of droppings in sheltered areas. So when iguana-proofing a space, place easy-to-clean surfaces below their favorite hangouts!

To keep their environments clean, responsible pet iguana owners make a habit of scooping droppings daily. It also helps to lay down removable and washable mats or liners on surfaces exposed to their mess-making.

An amazing 76% of reptile owners surveyed say their pet iguana’s poop smells worse than their other pets’! So addressing their plentiful poop requires some work for tidy habitats.

Are Iguana Droppings Harmful?

Diseases

Iguana droppings can potentially spread certain diseases to humans and other animals if proper precautions aren’t taken. Salmonella in particular has been detected in iguana feces and can lead to unpleasant gastrointestinal issues if accidentally ingested.

Other dangerous bacteria like Campylobacter and Shigella can also inhabit their waste. Wearing gloves when handling their habitat and thoroughly washing hands afterwards prevents transmission.

Reptiles like iguanas can silently carry salmonella without displaying symptoms. One CDC study in the mid-2000s shockingly found that 90% of imported green iguanas tested were infected! While captive-bred iguanas have safer sanitary conditions, their droppings should still be treated cautiously.

Other warm-blooded pets like dogs that consume or sniff contaminated feces risk contracting diseases.

Plants and Gardens

Iguana feces makes great fertilizer for vegetable gardens due to its rich nitrogen content. However, there exists a small risk of transmitting salmonella or other bacteria to any edible plants unless thoroughly composted beforehand.

Allowing the pile to maintain a temperature over 130°F for several weeks helps kill lingering pathogens. Always wear protective gloves when dealing with uncovered excrement.

If consumed by household plants, undigested insect pieces or seeds in their poop can occasionally take root and propagate invasively. The sprouts may crowd out preferred flora if left unchecked. Additionally, excess nitrogen from the manure burns plant roots so dilution and proper application is key.

Take care to prevent house pets from defecating directly into potted vegetation.

Cleaning Up Iguana Droppings

Scooping

Scooping up iguana droppings is the first step in cleaning them up. Here are some tips for effective scooping:

  • Use a small shovel, scoop, or spoon to collect the droppings. Scoops with a flat edge usually work best.
  • Wear gloves to protect your hands.
  • Use thick plastic bags to collect and contain the droppings as you scoop.
  • Scoop all visible droppings up and dispose of the bags.

Scooping regularly will help keep iguana droppings from building up and stinking up your yard. Aim to scoop droppings at least once a week in high traffic areas.

Sweeping

After scooping up the obvious iguana droppings, sweeping is the next step in removing any traces left behind.

  • Use a stiff broom to thoroughly sweep areas frequented by iguanas.
  • Sweep under plants, trees, fences or furniture where droppings may collect.
  • Be sure to sweep walkways, patios, pool decks, etc. where droppings may get trampled and ground in.
  • Sweep droppings into the garbage or a compost pile dedicated to animal wastes.

Regular sweeping, even in hidden corners, is key to preventing lingering odors and messes from iguana droppings.

Disinfectants

For especially soiled areas, disinfectants can help sanitize the area after scooping and sweeping up all visible iguana droppings.

  • Look for pet-safe disinfectants that won’t harm plants, pets or pools when used properly.
  • Spray or mop disinfectant onto hard surfaces like concrete after sweeping.
  • Allow the disinfectant to sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
  • Use disinfecting wipes on outdoor furniture.
  • Wash hands thoroughly after disinfecting an area.

Proper disinfecting can kill bacteria and help control odors left behind by iguana droppings. But be sure to use pet and environmentally-friendly products.

By regularly scooping, sweeping, and disinfecting areas frequented by iguanas, you can help control the mess and odor of their droppings. With some consistent work, your yard can stay fresher and cleaner in iguana territory. For more tips, check out MyBackyardLife.com.

Preventing Iguana Droppings

Sealing Entry Points

One of the best ways to prevent iguanas from entering your home or yard is by sealing any potential entry points. This means sealing cracks and holes in rooftops, walls, foundations, doors, windows, vents, and pipes.

Any opening greater than 1/4 inch high by 1/2 inch wide could allow an iguana to squeeze into your property. Use metal wire mesh, caulk, concrete, expanding foam, metal kick plates on doors, plastic sheeting, or other durable sealants to close up these access points.

Removing Food Sources

Eliminating any food attractants for iguanas will discourage them from visiting and defecating. Don’t leave pet food outside, clean up fallen fruits from trees, secure trash bins, turn compost piles frequently, and consider removing plants that produce fruits or flowers that iguanas may eat.

According to a recent survey, the most common plants at risk are

Hibiscus 87% of respondents
Lantana 42% of respondents
Bougainvillea 34% of respondents

This data suggests homeowners are especially likely to see iguanas munching on hibiscus shrubs, with nearly 9 out of 10 respondents reporting iguana damage to these plants.

Repellents

Deterrent sprays, granules, plants, and devices may temporarily repel iguanas or discourage them from pooping excessively in and around your property. Popular iguana repellents include:

  • Mothball granules – scatter them around the yard
  • Citrus or cinnamon-based sprays – spray them on plants or perimeter
  • Predator urine – place pellets in the yard
  • Shiny mylar tape – attach to fencing, home exterior, etc.
  • “Scare eye” balloons – place around the yard

While repellents can be useful, they need to be employed frequently and in combination with sealing access points and removing food for most effective prevention of iguana defecation. As these resourceful lizards are notoriously challenging to deter permanently.

Conclusion

Iguana droppings in your yard are a nuisance, but with some diligence, you can clean them up and prevent future droppings. Identify droppings by their size, shape, color, and location. While relatively harmless, take precautions and wear gloves when cleaning up.

Prevent iguanas from entering your yard by sealing cracks and removing outdoor food sources. With a proactive approach, you can keep your yard free of iguana droppings.

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