Iguana hunter is back to business after winter break

Lee County’s iguana-removal vendor for Boca Grande has resumed service after a three-month winter hiatus.

“The break is there because it’s a stipulation of the contract written by Lee County,” said Tom Portuallo, owner and founder of Blue Iguana Pest Control Inc.

Brian Ambrose is a technician for Blue Iguana which is the primary vendor for population-control services for black spiny-tailed iguanas on the Lee County side of Gasparilla Island.

“The contract has been reinstated and Brian is out there shooting away,” Portuallo said. “People are calling us already.” Last season Ambrose removed over 3,000 iguanas, he said. He started service back up again in Boca Grande on February 15.

“It’s a slower start this season because it’s been a little cooler,” Ambrose said. “But yesterday [Monday, March 3], I got 15 [iguanas].”

On the north end of Gasparilla Island, there is a different procedure for iguana removal than in Lee County.

Charlotte County contracts with the United States Department of Agriculture for removal, as part of their MSBU, or Municipal Service Benefit Unit. Residents who have issues with iguanas can contact the county directly to be put in contact with iguana removal. They should call Charlotte’s Exotic Fauna desk at 941-613-3220.

In Lee County, residents should call (855) 525-5656 to request removal, during which they will also have to give Brian Ambrose of Blue Iguana Pest Control permission to go on their property.