Gastrointestinal Issues from Iguanas Lead to Career Change

“He was just really off, having gastrointestinal issues and feeling violently ill,” Stephen Dickenson recounted. After a family vacation, his son jumped into their backyard pool, only to later discover that the chlorine levels were off and there was iguana feces everywhere.

This unfortunate incident resulted in his son contracting salmonella. “The risk is real, and it’s something we didn’t deal with growing up. Iguanas weren’t around when we were kids, so we just weren’t taught to be concerned,” he explained.

A New Career Path

This experience was unfamiliar to the Dickenson family, but it prompted Stephen to make a significant career shift. He decided to become a professional iguana trapper and started his business, Method Iguana Services, located in Pompano Beach.

“We want our kids to enjoy the outdoors, and we appreciate the old growth trees, but with these invasive iguanas leaving droppings on playground equipment, it’s concerning,” he said, pointing out that iguana droppings are easily spotted in parks, often falling from overhead trees.

Keeping Your Family Safe

What can families do to ensure safety? Dickenson recommends checking parks beforehand. If there are many iguanas or droppings, it might be best to choose a different location. Additionally, he suggests washing children’s hands with antimicrobial soap after they play, especially before eating.

Dr. Otto Ramos, director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, noted that iguanas pose a major problem in South Florida. While it’s challenging to definitively link iguanas to infections, they are known carriers of salmonella in their feces and saliva. He also shared that iguanas can be aggressive, causing serious injuries.

“We’ve had children admitted to the hospital with significant wounds from bites. Their teeth can embed in the skin, which can result in serious infections because of the salmonella present,” he warned. Some parks have even placed wraps around trees to deter the lizards.

Experts recommend avoiding any potential risks, especially for pets, children, and those with weakened immune systems. Dickenson shared a concerning story about a client who was immunocompromised; the doctor advised against using their pool due to the heightened risk of salmonella from iguanas, which is higher than from raw chicken.

“If there are iguanas in your yard, it’s best to remove them,” Ramos advised. Dickenson believes that while it may seem overwhelming, it is indeed manageable. “They pick up on predation, so as they are removed from one area, they often relocate to neighbors who aren’t addressing the problem. Many of my clients have been able to reclaim their backyards this way,” he said.