Process detailed for island iguana removal
As summer gets underway in Boca Grande, iguanas have become more of a problem for some.
A reminder that Lee County residents can call (855) 525-5656 to request a removal, during which they will also have to give Brian Ambrose of Blue Iguana Pest Control Inc. permission to go on their property. The company starts with a two-week period for the technician to remove the iguana, after which the timeline may be extended if it hasn’t been successful, said Tom Portuallo, owner and founder of Blue Iguana.
Back when Ambrose started working in Boca Grande, he said that he would typically go to a property twice in the two-week period in order to locate the iguana.
“We don’t know if going for two weeks will solve the problem or not,” Portuallo said, “so we go for two weeks, stop to see if the problem persists and then if it does, the landowner calls us back to come for another two-week period.”
In the past, when George Cera was the primary iguana hunter on island, residents would have to fill out a form giving him permission to access their property and drop it off at the Boca Grande Community Center. This is no longer the case, and anyone with an iguana problem should simply call the toll-free number above and follow up the same way if the problem persists beyond the two-week period.
The focus of the Lee County contract with Blue Iguana Pest Control Inc was to design something that would make as much penetration into the invasive population as possible, Portuallo said.
The two-week timeline allows Ambrose to visit as many properties as possible during his weekly 40 hours of control services.
Work may be performed Monday through Friday only, and may only take place during daylight hours, according to the contract. Additionally, the vendor is required to provide daily timesheets to the Lee County MSTBU representative.
On the Charlotte County end of the island, the USDA is the iguana removal contractor for the local Municipal Service Benefit Unit. The arrangement began in 2008.
Residents can fill out a form with the officer that will allow him to trap on your property. That removal effort is part of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
