A single female green iguana lays 20 to 70 iguana eggs per clutch and can breed 3 to 4 times per year in South Florida’s climate. One untouched nest becomes 50 to 280 new iguanas in just 90 days, each reaching breeding age at 18 months. That is how “a couple of iguanas” on your property explodes into a permanent colony that destroys $2,000 to $15,000 in landscaping and property value every single year.
SoFlo Iguana Pros has removed and humanely destroyed over 48,000 viable iguana eggs in Palm Beach, Broward, and Martin counties since 2018 (all under FWC permit WB-23-00145). This guide explains exactly why leaving eggs alone is the most expensive mistake South Florida property owners make and how to stop the cycle for good.
The Biology: One Nest = Exponential Growth
| Year | Starting Breeding Females | Total Eggs Laid | Hatch Success Rate | New Iguanas Next Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 1 | 50 (average) | 85% | 42 |
| Year 2 | 22 | 1,100 | 85% | 935 |
| Year 3 | 467 | 23,350 | 85% | 19,847 |
In three years, one ignored nest can produce nearly 20,000 iguanas.
Where They Hide Eggs (Most Homeowners Never Find Them)
- Under pool decks and patios (warm and protected)
- Inside seawall rip-rap and rock piles
- Beneath AC units and generator pads
- Inside palm boots and dead fronds
- Landscaping mulch beds 12 to 24 inches deep
- Abandoned gopher tortoise or armadillo burrows
SoFlo Iguana Pros uses FLIR thermal cameras and 6-foot soil probes to locate nests that are invisible to the naked eye.
Real-Life Cost Examples (2023–2025)
| Location | Year Eggs Discovered | Estimated Hatch If Ignored | Actual Damage Prevented |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington equestrian estate | 2023 | 1,400+ | $187,000 |
| Palm Beach Gardens golf course | 2024 | 2,800+ | $420,000 |
| Boca Raton waterfront | 2025 | 980 | $98,000 |
All three properties are now completely iguana-free after full nest removal and barrier installation.
The 4 Reasons “Let Nature Handle It” Always Backfires
- No natural predators in Florida – hatchling survival rate is 90%+
- Babies disperse 1 to 3 miles – your neighbor’s problem becomes yours again
- Adult females return to the exact same burrow year after year
- FWC prohibits live relocation of hatchlings – they must be humanely euthanized on site
Leaving eggs is not compassion; it is sentencing your property (and your neighbors’) property to decades of escalating damage.
The Permanent Solution: Remove + Exclude
SoFlo Iguana Pros’ proven 3-step protocol:
- Locate every active nest with thermal imaging and probing
- Humanely destroy eggs on site (FWC-approved CO₂ method)
- Install anti-hole mesh and anti-climb barriers so adults can never dig again
Average residential property has 3 to 7 nests containing 180 to 400 eggs. Full removal + exclusion costs $1,800 to $4,200 once. Cost of doing nothing: $8,000 to $40,000+ over the next five years.
Why Property Owners Trust SoFlo Iguana Pros
- FWC Commercial Nuisance Wildlife Permit WB-23-00145
- 48,000+ eggs removed and documented
- 10-year warranty on all barriers
- 4.8-star average on Yelp and Facebook
- Same-week scheduling, 7 days a week
Frequently Asked Questions
How many eggs does one iguana lay? 20 to 70 per clutch, up to 4 clutches per year in South Florida.
When is egg-laying season? Year-round, peaking February to June and September to November peaks.
Can I dig them up myself? Not recommended – females guard aggressively and you will miss clutches.
Is it legal to destroy the eggs? Yes – green iguanas are invasive. FWC allows humane destruction on private property.
How deep do they bury them? 12 to 36 inches in warm, loose soil.
How do I book nest removal? Call (561) 735-1975 or email sofloiguanapros@gmail.com.
Stop the Cycle Before Spring
One nest today = thousands of iguanas next year. SoFlo Iguana Pros ends the breeding cycle permanently with professional nest removal and exclusion barriers.
Call (561) 735-1975 or email sofloiguanapros@gmail.com for your free property assessment and nest-location scan today.
Visit SoFloIguana.com or follow us on Instagram @soflo.iguana.pros for daily removal videos.
