MARCO ISLAND, FLA. — Iguanas are an invasive species that's likely here to stay in Southwest Florida, because of how fast they multiply.
According to Florida Fish and wildlife, females can lay more than 70 eggs in one nest.
One Southwest Florida trapper, named Alfredo Fermin, says he's probably caught thousands in the decade he's been removing them from our area.
He adds that the growing populations are also wreaking havoc on Marco Island, because their burrows are destroying seawalls and their diet is impacting local vegetation.
"A lot of people are spending a lot of money on flowers and then these guys will devour them in a couple of days," said Fermin, owner of AAA wildlife trapping and removal service
Fermin adds that though it may be tempting to try to remove the lizards yourself, you should call in a professional to do it.
But if you do decide to take them on, he says don't shoot them, but set a trap instead.
