It happens more than you'd think — an iguana wanders in through an open slider or garage, panics, and hides behind furniture. The worst thing you can do is chase it around the living room. A cornered iguana can bite, claw, and tail-whip, and a panicked one will knock things over trying to escape.
Contain and release
The goal is to shrink its world down to one room with an obvious exit, then let it leave on its own. Chasing makes it hide deeper; giving it a clear path to daylight gets it out:
- Shut the doors to other rooms so it can't get deeper into the house
- Open the nearest door or slider to the outside, all the way
- Leave the room and give it space — most head for the light and the opening
- Keep kids and pets well back and quiet
- Don't reach behind furniture for it if it wedges in
When to call
If it wedges somewhere it won't come out of, or it's a large adult that's turned defensive, that's the time to call someone rather than reach behind the couch for it. A big one that feels trapped will bite and whip, and a scared homeowner grabbing it is how the injuries happen. There's no shame in leaving the room closed off with the door open and letting a pro handle it.
Common questions
Is an iguana in my house dangerous?
Not aggressive by nature, but a cornered one bites, scratches, and whips its tail, and droppings can carry salmonella. Give it an exit rather than grabbing it, and keep kids and pets clear.
How do I stop them getting in?
Keep sliders and garage doors closed, screen off gaps, and cut back the plants and routes near entries. They come in opportunistically through an open door, not on purpose, so closing the openings is most of the fix.
It's hiding behind the couch — now what?
Don't reach in after it. Close the doors to the rest of the house, open the nearest exterior door, clear the room, and give it quiet time to find the way out. If it still won't move, call rather than risk a bite pulling it out by hand.
