Salmonella is the main concern
The most common health concern with iguanas is salmonella. Like many reptiles, iguanas can carry salmonella bacteria, and it shows up in their droppings. That matters in South Florida because iguanas love to leave those droppings on exactly the surfaces people use — pool decks, docks, patios, and seawall caps — often where kids and pets are barefoot.
It's worth being calm and accurate about this: carrying salmonella doesn't mean every encounter makes someone sick. The risk is real but manageable with basic hygiene and by not letting droppings pile up on high-contact surfaces.
How exposure actually happens
Salmonella exposure generally happens through contact with contaminated surfaces and then the mouth — touching a fouled deck, then food, a face, or a wound. That's why the practical defenses are unglamorous but effective.
- Wash hands after being outside, especially before eating.
- Clean and disinfect hard surfaces where droppings land rather than leaving them.
- Don't hose droppings straight into a pool or spa.
- Keep barefoot kids and pets off fouled decks until they're cleaned.
The durable fix
Hygiene handles the immediate risk, but the source of the problem is the iguana population producing the droppings in the first place. Reducing that population is what actually cuts the accumulation. We're not doctors — if someone develops symptoms like fever, cramps, or diarrhea after contact, see a doctor. Treat this as general information, not medical advice.
Common questions
How do people catch salmonella from iguanas?
Generally through contact with droppings-contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, food, or a wound — not usually from casual proximity to the animal. Hand-washing and cleaning affected surfaces meaningfully reduce the risk.
Is it dangerous for kids and pets?
Young children, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system are more vulnerable to salmonella generally. Keep them off contaminated decks until cleaned and disinfected, and see a doctor or vet for symptoms. This is general information, not medical advice.
Do iguanas spread anything besides salmonella?
Salmonella from droppings is the main everyday concern people ask about. Bites and scratches also carry ordinary wound-infection risk because of bacteria in the mouth and on the skin. For any bite or illness, see a doctor — we're a removal company, not a medical provider.
