Docks are prime iguana real estate
A dock is flat, sunny, and right on the water — everything an iguana wants in a basking platform. On the finger canals and Intracoastal docks common across the county, iguanas will claim the decking, the lift cradle, and even the boat itself as a warm morning perch.
The most common issue isn't structural, it's mess. Droppings accumulate all over the decking, the lift motor and cradle, and boat seats and cushions. That's both a sanitation nuisance and, over time, a corrosion concern where acidic waste sits on aluminum lift hardware and stainless fittings.
The structural concern is at the shoreline
Where a piling or dock post meets the bank, iguanas dig burrows into the soft soil at the base. That's the same undermining problem seawalls face: the fill packed around the piling is what keeps it rigid, and hollowing it out lets the piling work loose under the load of a dock and lift.
Occasionally an iguana will also chew exposed wiring, hoses, or a lift's rubber components, though that's less typical than the fouling and the shoreline digging.
What to check
When you inspect a dock for iguana impact, look at both the surfaces and the shoreline.
- Droppings on decking, the lift cradle, motor housing, and boat cushions
- Burrow openings at the base of shoreline pilings and where the dock meets the bank
- Pilings that look like they've shifted or a dock section that feels less solid
- Chewed wiring, hoses, or rubber lift components near piling bases
Keeping them off
Scaring an iguana off the dock works only until the next one swims over from the canal. The durable approach is removing the resident animals, fitting smooth piling guards where practical, and collapsing the shoreline burrows so the fill around the pilings isn't repeatedly loosened.
Common questions
Are iguanas hurting my dock or just making a mess?
Usually it's mostly mess — droppings on decking, the lift, and the boat — but burrowing at the base of shoreline pilings can loosen the fill that holds them steady, so it's worth checking both the surfaces and the waterline.
How do I keep iguanas off my dock?
Removing the resident animals plus smooth piling guards and collapsing shoreline burrows is the durable approach. Scaring them off or spraying deterrents only works until the next iguana arrives from the canal.
Will iguana droppings damage my boat lift?
Droppings themselves are mainly a sanitation and cleanup problem, but acidic waste left sitting on aluminum and stainless lift hardware can accelerate corrosion over time, so regular rinsing helps until the animals are removed.
