Emergency Iguana Removal: When to Call for Same-Day Service (And What It Costs)

Not every iguana sighting is an emergency. A single iguana basking on your seawall or nibbling your hibiscus, while annoying, doesn't require an immediate response. But certain situations involving iguanas pose genuine safety hazards, property damage risks, or health concerns that warrant same-day professional intervention.

This guide helps you determine when emergency service is truly necessary, understand how rapid response works, and know what to expect from costs to outcomes.

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True Emergency Situations

1. Iguana in AC Unit or Electrical Equipment

Why it's urgent: Iguanas frequently nest in outdoor AC condensers, attracted by the warmth and shelter. This creates immediate hazards:

• Fire risk: Chewed wiring can cause electrical shorts and fires
• System damage: Droppings and nesting materials block airflow, damage compressors
• Electrocution hazard: Exposed wiring endangers anyone servicing the unit

Signs to look for:

• Scratching or movement sounds from AC unit
• Unusual smells (burnt plastic, ammonia from droppings)
• AC system malfunction or inefficiency
• Visible droppings around or in unit vents

What to do immediately:

1. Turn off the AC system at the breaker (not just the thermostat)
2. Do NOT attempt to remove the iguana yourself
3. Keep children and pets away from the unit
4. Call for emergency removal

2. Aggressive Iguana Threatening People or Pets

Why it's urgent: While iguanas typically flee from humans, they can become aggressive when:

• Cornered or feeling trapped
• Protecting a nest (females during breeding season)
• Males during mating season (territorial behavior)
• Habituated to humans (fed by previous owners/residents)

Dangerous behaviors:

• Tail whipping (can cause significant injuries, especially to face/eyes)
• Biting (powerful jaws can require stitches)
• Charging or lunging at people
• Standing ground and displaying (head bobbing, dewlap extension)

What to do:

1. Slowly back away—don't corner the animal
2. Get children and pets inside immediately
3. Do NOT attempt to capture or handle the iguana
4. Call for emergency removal
5. Keep the iguana in sight if safely possible (helps responders locate it)

3. Active Structural Damage

Why it's urgent: Iguanas create burrow systems up to 80 feet long. When these burrows undermine critical structures, the damage can progress rapidly.

Emergency structural situations:

• Seawall collapse in progress: Visible cracks, leaning, or sections shifting
• Foundation undermining: Cracks appearing in home foundation, settling
• Pool deck displacement: Pavers lifting, concrete cracking from burrows beneath
• Retaining wall failure: Wall leaning or bulging from burrow activity behind it

What to do:

1. Document the damage with photos/video
2. Evacuate the immediate area if collapse seems imminent
3. Call for emergency removal AND contact a structural engineer
4. Do NOT attempt to fill burrows during active damage

4. Iguana Inside Home or Pool Enclosure

Why it's urgent: An iguana trapped inside a structure becomes stressed and unpredictable, creating:

• Injury risk to household members
• Property damage as the animal tries to escape
• Fecal contamination (Salmonella risk)
• Difficulty for untrained removal

Common entry points:

• Torn or damaged screens
• Open doors/windows without screens
• Gaps in pool enclosure frames
• Through attic vents or damaged soffits

What to do:

1. Isolate the iguana to one room if possible (close doors)
2. Remove pets and children from the area
3. Open an exterior door or window as an escape route (but don't force the iguana)
4. Call for emergency removal
5. Do NOT attempt to grab or corner the animal

5. Multiple Iguanas in Critical Areas

Why it's urgent: Multiple iguanas indicate an established population with immediate contamination or damage potential.

Critical area scenarios:

• Pool contamination: Iguanas frequently defecate in pools, introducing Salmonella
• Restaurant/food service areas: Health code violation, immediate closure risk
• Children's play areas: Droppings create health hazard
• Hotel pool decks: Guest safety and experience concerns

What to do:

1. Clear people from the affected area
2. Do not enter contaminated water
3. Call for emergency removal
4. For commercial properties: Document for health department compliance

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When It's NOT an Emergency

Save emergency service fees when the situation can wait for scheduled service:

Not emergencies (schedule routine service instead):

• Single iguana basking in your yard
• Iguana damage to landscape plants
• Burrow discovered (not actively causing structural damage)
• Occasional iguana sightings
• Iguana on neighbor's property
• Dead iguana (unless in food service area)

Rule of thumb: If no one is in immediate danger, no critical system is affected, and no active damage is occurring, schedule regular service within 1-3 days rather than paying emergency premiums.

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How Emergency Response Works

Step 1: Request Dispatch

When you contact emergency iguana removal:

1. Describe your situation to determine if it qualifies as emergency
2. Provide location details for fastest routing
3. Pay the dispatch fee ($59) to activate the response
4. Receive confirmation with estimated arrival time

Step 2: Provider Notification

Our system immediately:

• Alerts all available emergency providers in your area
• Uses GPS to identify nearest responders
• Notifies multiple providers simultaneously for fastest response
• Tracks which provider accepts and is en route

Step 3: Response and Arrival

Emergency Standard (within 4 hours):

• Provider arrives within 4 hours of dispatch
• Available during business hours (8am-6pm)
• Best for urgent but not critical situations

Emergency Pro (within 2 hours):

• Provider arrives within 2 hours
• Available 24/7 including nights/weekends
• Best for active safety hazards or critical situations

Step 4: On-Site Service

The emergency provider will:

1. Assess the immediate situation
2. Remove the threatening animal(s)
3. Address the immediate hazard
4. Provide temporary exclusion if needed
5. Document the situation
6. Recommend follow-up service

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Emergency Pricing

Dispatch Fee: $59 Flat Rate

This non-refundable fee is charged regardless of outcome and covers:

• Activation of emergency response system
• Provider notification and coordination
• Travel to your location
• Initial assessment

Service Fees

Service Level	Response Time	Service Fee	Total Cost
Emergency Standard	Within 4 hours	$200-400	$259-459
Emergency Pro	Within 2 hours	$300-600	$359-659

Premium Periods

Time Period	Additional Premium
After hours (6pm-8am)	+50%
Weekends	+25%
Holidays	+50%
After hours + weekend/holiday	+75%

Example costs:

• Standard emergency, Tuesday 2pm: $259-459
• Pro emergency, Saturday 10am: $409-759 (weekend premium)
• Pro emergency, Sunday 11pm: $509-909 (after hours + weekend)

What's Included

Emergency service includes:

• Removal of animal(s) causing the immediate threat
• Basic damage assessment
• Temporary exclusion if needed to prevent re-entry
• Written recommendations for follow-up service

Not typically included (additional fees):

• Burrow filling
• Permanent exclusion work
• Damage repair
• Multiple trap setups
• Extended monitoring

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What to Do While Waiting

For AC Unit Emergencies

1. Keep AC system OFF at breaker
2. Stay away from the unit
3. Don't spray water or attempt to flush the iguana out
4. Note any sounds or movements for the responder

For Aggressive Iguana

1. Maintain distance (10+ feet minimum)
2. Keep visual contact if safely possible
3. Have someone wait near the entry point to direct the responder
4. Don't make sudden movements that might provoke the animal

For Structural Emergencies

1. Stay out of affected areas
2. Take photos from safe distance
3. Note any changes (increasing cracks, sounds)
4. Be prepared to evacuate if situation worsens

For Indoor Iguanas

1. Keep doors to the room closed
2. Leave one exit route open (exterior door/window)
3. Stay out of the room
4. Note the iguana's location when last seen

General Tips

• Document everything: Photos and video help responders prepare
• Secure pets: Keep dogs and cats away from the area
• Clear access: Ensure responders can easily reach the problem area
• Stay available: Answer your phone when the provider calls

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Choosing Emergency Providers

What to Look For

When emergency service is needed, you may not have time for extensive research. Focus on:

Verification badges:

• ✓ Verified: Basic license and insurance confirmed
• ✓✓ Vetted: Full documentation review, background check, performance monitoring

Response guarantee:

• Provider commits to specific arrival window
• Clear policy if they fail to meet the guarantee

After-hours availability:

• 24/7 providers for true emergencies
• Clear communication of premium pricing

Red Flags (Even in Emergencies)

• Provider won't commit to arrival time
• Demands cash payment only
• No license/insurance documentation available
• Significantly below-market pricing (may indicate problems)
• Unwilling to explain methods over phone

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After Emergency Service: Next Steps

Emergency removal addresses the immediate threat but rarely solves the underlying problem. Plan for:

Within 24-48 Hours

1. Schedule follow-up assessment
2. Identify how the iguana accessed the problem area
3. Begin planning exclusion work

Within 1 Week

1. Complete damage assessment
2. Get quotes for exclusion/prevention work
3. Consider ongoing maintenance service

Ongoing

1. Implement prevention measures
2. Monitor for signs of return
3. Address any structural damage discovered

Learn about ongoing service options →

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Preventing Future Emergencies

The best emergency is one that never happens. Reduce your risk:

For AC Units

• Install hardware cloth cage around outdoor units
• Schedule regular HVAC maintenance with iguana inspection
• Clear vegetation within 3 feet of units

For Structural Areas

• Fill known burrows promptly
• Install seawall protection on waterfront properties
• Monitor foundations for early signs of undermining

For Indoor Entry

• Repair all screen damage immediately
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors
• Seal gaps in pool enclosure frames
• Cover attic vents with hardware cloth

General Prevention

• Remove food attractants (fruit trees, hibiscus)
• Eliminate shelter (brush piles, debris)
• Consider professional monthly monitoring
• Address small problems before they become emergencies

Read our complete prevention guide →

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Conclusion

Not every iguana situation requires emergency response, but when you're facing a genuine safety hazard, equipment damage risk, or health concern, having access to rapid professional service is invaluable.

True emergencies include:

• Iguanas in AC units or electrical equipment
• Aggressive iguanas threatening people or pets
• Active structural damage
• Iguanas inside your home or pool enclosure
• Multiple iguanas in critical areas

For these situations, the $59 dispatch fee and emergency service costs are a worthwhile investment in safety and peace of mind. For everything else, scheduled service within a few days is more cost-effective.

Need emergency iguana removal right now?

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