6 Smart Ways To Get Rid of Iguanas on Your Roof

Iguanas can be a threat in certain parts of the world. These reptiles are reared as pets by some people, but they also flourish in warm, wild regions.

If you’ve never come across an iguana, then you might be shocked upon seeing them on your yard or roof. Many people see them as a significant threat as they can potentially mess with your plants or even damage your property.

Besides, these creatures aren’t friendly. For this reason, you don’t want them around your property, and that means doing your best to eliminate them.

So, how can you get rid of iguanas on your roof?

This article will walk you through everything you need to know about iguanas, including some proven remedies to eliminate them permanently.

Do Iguanas Damage Roofs?

Yes, Iguanas damage roofs as they run in and out of barrel tiles. They’ll often use their sharp claws to loosen and tear up the waterproof lining underneath the barrel roof, causing them to leak.

Even worse, they will go through the attic spaces of the leaking roof, make these holes more prominent, and get inside your home.

Not only will they damage your roof, but they will also pee and poop all over your roof. When it rains, the water will wash the droppings down your windows and driveways.

Iguanas are fond of barrel tiles since they provide a perfect spot for them to warm up and bask in the sun. However, barrel tiles also provide shelter during harsh weather conditions.

And because they will always use the plants along your property to climb on the roof.  Cut all the vines and branches that are between 2 to 4 feet from your rooftop to chase them.

How Do Iguanas Get on Roofs?

There are so many ways that iguanas could get on your roof. If you have plants within your property, chances are they are using them to access your roof. To prevent them from creeping onto your roof, cut all the branches that are between 2 to 4 feet from your rooftop.

Iguanas are fond of barrel roof tiles due to their cold-blooded nature. They will always get to the roof to bask in the sun and warm up themselves. But that’s not all; these annoying reptiles poop and pee on your rooftop.

And when the rainy season comes around, it washes away these droppings and deposits them on your gutters and walkaways. Not to mention, this deification might end up on your windows, creating a nasty mess.

The worst part is that iguanas’ droppings carry salmonella, and when you walk on it, chances are you might suffer from salmonella bacteria. These creatures can do more harm than you can imagine, so stay alert.

Do Iguanas Come Out At Night?

No, iguanas don’t come out at night unless there is a threat. However, this is a rare case because iguanas are good at fending hideouts. And that explains why they are very relaxed creatures.

Like humans, iguanas are active throughout the day and sleep at night. Therefore, what they do when they are awake shouldn’t bother you because they create nasty messes and damage properties.

Besides what they do when they are awake, it’s also interesting to learn about their sleeping habits. Iguanas love to sleep high in the trees and will often keep one eye open to watch out for predators while sleeping.

Iguanas will sleep in dark, unusual places such as caves, tunnels, under rocks, and hidden nests for better camouflage. These areas are calm and far from outside insecurities. 

Understanding iguanas’ sleeping habits is essential if you intend to keep one. That way, you’re able to recreate the wild conditions so that it sleeps peacefully.

Interesting fact: The heartbeat of an iguana drops when it sleeps.

Unlike humans, iguanas are still aware of their surroundings, even in a calm state. They don’t completely switch into inactivity. Instead, these creatures sleep with one eye open to stay alert for potential threats.

6 Smart Ways To Get Rid of Iguanas on Your Roof

1. Spray Iguana Repellent

One of the easiest ways to get rid of these annoying reptiles is to spray iguana repellent in the areas where iguanas are widespread. If they are fond of your rooftop, then you can spray it down with iguana repellent.

Iguana repellents come in different forms and are widely available in the market. You can get it in liquid or powder form. However, if you’re dealing with a vast number of iguanas, you may want to go with liquid iguana repellent as they are easy to utilize.

You could also make one for yourself if you’re looking to save some little money. All you need is a few pieces of garlic and habanero peppers. Once you have that, crush them into puree and mix with warm water to make this repellent.

Similarly, you can sprinkle or spray the iguana repellent in various spots, including your hard to make your home unfavorable for them. Make sure you do this occasionally to prevent them from recurring in your home.

2. Trapping Them

Another way to get rid of iguanas on your roof is by trapping them. You can do this by putting traps in areas where iguanas are more prevalent and then adding bait pellets inside them to enhance the process.

With standard trap designs, it’s easy to capture these creatures. Simply trap the iguana and drive it to a location that’s far away from your home.

While this might not be the best remedy, it can still come in handy to reduce the number of iguanas that you have to deal with.

3. Eliminate Things That Attract Iguanas To Your Yard

Iguanas will find refuge in thick bushes and heaps of rocks, among other things in your yard. However, by clearing things up, you’ll be making the yard less attractive to iguanas.

You may start by eliminating the specific plants that attract iguanas to your yard. Such may include roses, lettuce, orchids, beets, and broccoli. That said, this method works best when paired with other deterrent remedies.

4. Ultrasonic Repellents

This is a new remedy that most people seem to be turning to. It’s environmentally friendly and does not pose any health problems to users. Furthermore, it doesn’t contain any chemicals and requires minimum maintenance.

The ultrasonic device works by emitting sounds that scare away household pests, including iguanas. It produces noises that only iguanas can hear to make them feel uncomfortable. If everything goes well, the iguanas might leave your home due to distress.

This is one of the best strategies for iguana management. Not only will it keep iguanas at bay, but ultrasonic repellents will also have a significant impact on pest activity.

If you’re wondering how much you’ll need to invest in batteries to keep this device up and running, worry not. Ultrasonic devices are powered by solar and might be the perfect option for people looking to get rid of iguanas on roofs. 

5. Limit Iguana’s Food Sources

Have you ever wondered why iguanas are fond of your yard? It could be that pet food that you always leave outdoors. If your pets constantly have their meals outside, then it would be best if you transfer their foods in safe-locking containers once they’re done feeding.

This goes a long way to prevent iguanas from flocking your yard to eat pet food. Meanwhile, try to limit iguanas’ food sources as possible by clearing your yard, washing pet bowls, and putting garbage in lockable trash cans.

6. Hang Reflective Objects

Iguanas aren’t good at processing information regarding reflections. So, when you hang reflective objects on your property, they’ll get confused and run away. This could be anything, including old CDs that you don’t wish to keep.

It could also be reflective tape straps or any reflective object that could come in handy to scare them away. It doesn’t matter what type of object you use as long as it can yield good results.

Frequently Asked Questions