The low bar to advertise, the real cost of getting it wrong
Because iguanas are unprotected and 'easy' to advertise removal for, plenty of unlicensed, uninsured people offer it. Hiring licensed and insured isn't a formality — it's your protection. Licensing generally means the operator is held to recognized standards for how the work and any pesticide-adjacent products are handled, and insurance means the coverage responds if something goes wrong instead of the loss landing on you.
What can go wrong, and who pays
The scenarios where this matters are concrete, not hypothetical.
- A technician damages your seawall, pool cage, screen enclosure, or roof.
- Someone is injured on your property during the work.
- An animal is dispatched inhumanely or improperly, creating a legal problem.
- With no insurance and no credentials, you'd have little recourse against the person.
What to ask for, in writing
This is general information, not legal advice, but the practical takeaway is consistent: ask for proof of applicable licensing and current liability insurance, confirm they follow FWC and humane guidelines, and get it in writing before work starts. A legitimate operator provides all of it readily — it's the cheapest insurance you'll buy on the whole job.
Common questions
What if an uninsured guy damages my property?
You may have little recourse — no insurance means the loss can fall on you, and chasing an uninsured individual for repairs is often a dead end. Hiring an insured operator is what makes damage or injury the contractor's problem, not yours.
What proof should I ask for?
Ask for current proof of liability insurance and applicable pest-control or nuisance-wildlife licensing, and confirm in writing that they follow FWC and humane guidelines and how they handle disposition. A legitimate operator provides this readily and without defensiveness.
Is the licensed-and-insured operator really worth the higher price?
Generally yes, once you weigh the downside. The gap in price is usually small next to the cost of a damaged seawall you eat yourself, an injury claim, or a cruelty-law problem tied to your property. Licensing and insurance are what keep those risks off your plate. This isn't legal advice.
