How to Keep Iguanas Out of Your Pool in Florida
If you own a pool in Florida, you may have noticed some persistent backyard visitors: iguanas. While these reptiles might look like harmless sunbathers, having them around your pool can create serious headaches.
Florida pools are meant to be relaxing escapes, but iguanas often have other plans. These reptiles can damage plants and furniture, create slippery hazards around the deck, and worse of all: poop all over! To solve the problem, it helps to understand exactly why pools are so irresistible to them.
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Why Iguanas Love Your Pool
Water is essential for hydration and cooling, and pools are a reliable, convenient source. Even brief dips help iguanas manage body temperature and escape perceived threats. But heat isn’t the only attraction.
Nearby plants can make pools irresistible. Hibiscus, bougainvillea, and fruit trees are their favorite, while dense hedges and low branches provide cover, creating a sense of safety. Patio furniture and planters near the pool make it super convenient for iguanas easy access to the water. This combination of food, shelter, water, and warmth explains why one visit often turns into repeated intrusions.
Iguanas are also creatures of habit. Once they discover a reliable pool environment, they’ll return frequently, following the same paths and routines. If you can catch these behavioral patterns, then you can anticipate problems and address them effectively. If you’re curious what you need to build your own trap, you’ll want to check this out!
Pools provide a combination of warmth, water, shelter, and sometimes even food, all in one convenient location. Iguanas are cold blooded, meaning they depend on their surroundings to regulate body temperature. Pool decks, patio tiles, and stone surfaces soak up the sun and stay warm for hours, giving iguanas perfect spots to bask. On hot days, they often jump into the pool to cool off and then return to the deck, repeating this cycle throughout the day. Pools can be designed and managed to make them far less attractive to iguanas.
Smart Landscaping Around Your Pool and Patio
Landscaping choices play a big role in prevention. Choosing plants that iguanas avoid, like crotons, silver buttonwood, flax lily, and ornamental grasses, help maintain a lush backyard without providing a food source. Avoid planting hibiscus, bougainvillea, orchids, or fruiting trees near the pool. For a free guide on plants that repel iguanas, we have you covered.
Other patio maintenance you should partake in is trimming low hanging branches and managing ground cover. This reduces hiding spots and prevents iguanas from using them as climbing aids. Positioning planters and furniture away from fences or walls removes convenient access, and maintaining open sight lines around the pool makes the area feel exposed and less safe to iguanas.
Even minor adjustments, like moving decorative features that could act as ramps or trimming shrubs to prevent cover, can significantly reduce the number of iguanas visiting your pool. That means significantly less nasty poop!
Pool Barriers and Practical Tools for Prevention
Physical measures work best when paired with good landscaping habits, like we mentioned above. A powered automatic robotic pool surface skimmer continuously moves across the water and is probably the first investment we’d recommend. It breaks up the calm, open surface that iguanas are attracted to and keeps your pool clean with minimal effort on your part.
An in-ground pool fence designed with smooth, vertical panels adds another layer of protection by making it difficult for iguanas to climb in. This type of barrier is especially useful for families, since it doubles as a safety measure while also keeping wildlife out. Even determined iguanas struggle when there’s nothing to grip.
Floating objects on the water’s surface, like pool lights that float, disrupt the “open water” iguanas are looking for. They don’t want to risk jumping onto something unstable. These add movement and disturbance to the water while also giving homeowners a fun way to enjoy the pool at night.
Keeping a heavy-duty pool skimmer net on hand for quick cleanup helps maintain a clean pool area. Iguanas often leave behind droppings or debris, and a fine mesh skimmer net makes removal fast and easy. Regular use keeps the water fresh and discourages repeat visits.
A pool chemical testing kit ensures water remains clear and properly balanced, reducing algae growth that attracts iguanas. Clear, clean water is less likely to serve as a drinking source, and keeping the pool balanced makes it far less appealing to them overall.
For larger pools, an additional tool worth considering is a robotic pool cleaner with smart controls. These automated cleaners work below the surface, scrubbing floors and walls while capturing debris. With less buildup and algae, the pool becomes less attractive as a water source while saving you time on maintenance.
5 Products Every Florida Pool Needs
1. Solar Powered Automatic Robotic Pool Surface Skimmer Cleaner
A MUST HAVE. This robotic skimmer glides across the water, disrupting the open surface that iguanas are drawn to and helping maintain a clean, less attractive environment.
2. Pool Chemical Testing Kit
Monitor chlorine, pH, and alkalinity levels to maintain clear, healthy water. With your pool properly balanced, it reduces algae growth and makes the water less attractive to iguanas. Top selling kit on the market!
3. Heavy-Duty Pool Skimmer Net (and Pole)
Iguanas often leave droppings or debris behind, which can foul the water and attract them back. A fine mesh skimmer net makes cleanup quick and easy, keeping your pool fresh and less appealing to repeat visitors. Don’t forget to buy a pole if you want it to reach the bottom! They aren’t sold together. We like this one made by the same company.
4. Pool Lights That Float with Remote Control
More than just a backyard accessory, floating loungers break up the open water that attracts iguanas. They create surface movement that makes lizards think twice about diving in, while still giving you a relaxing way to enjoy the pool.
5. Robotic Pool Cleaner with Smart App
Enjoy uninterrupted cleaning sessions where you sit back and relax. Place this robotic pool cleaner in your pool and watch it effectively captures even the finest debris. Perfect for larger pools, ensuring exceptionally clear and pristine pool water.
Additional Recommendations for Florida Pools and Patios
Clean your entire pool in seconds! This pool vacuum helps keep pools clean by scrubbing walls and floors. It reduces algae and cleans up debris and the dreaded, iguana droppings.
This floating device creates subtle movement and disturbance on the pool surface, which iguanas naturally avoid. It keeps the water surface active without interfering with swimming.
Iguanas are drawn to algae rich pools for drinking. These ionizers naturally reduce algae buildup, making it less appealing as a water source and keeping your pool water crystal clear.
A smooth, vertical pool fence prevents iguanas from climbing in, while keeping your family safe. Designed for residential in-ground pools, it blocks access without compromising visibility.
Tips to Avoid Iguanas on Your Patio and in Your Pool
Iguanas are sneaky. They’ll climb ladders, low walls, and decorative features to reach their desired pool. With a few adjustments, homeowners can make it more difficult for iguanas to enter. Here are our top tips to avoid these unwanted visitors.
Iguanas are creatures of habit: Once they identify a safe, food rich route to the pool, they’ll return repeatedly. Interrupting their pathways with barriers and carefully placed distractions takes a multi layered approach and can break their habit faster than any single deterrent alone.
Iguanas dislike rough surfaces: Try placing spiky plants (real or fake) near entry points as a deterrent. Making entry routes more difficult forces iguanas to expend more effort, which often leads them to move on rather than linger.
Something else to know is: iguanas will seek standing water near your pool. Why? Because iguanas need hydration and to cool off. In our hot Florida weather, they’ll look for any easy water source. If your patio has puddles, pet bowls, birdbaths, or clogged drains holding water, iguanas may hang around those instead of leaving. That extra standing water makes the pool area even more attractive to them. Ensure you have proper drainage and eliminate all puddles along pathways, patios, or planters.
How to Maintain Your Pool to Stay Iguana Free All Year Round
In general, iguanas are most active during mating season (late winter through spring). On the daily, you will most likely see iguanas during early morning sun hours. So be extra vigilant during these times to keep problems from escalating.
Remember, consistency is key. Regularly trim vegetation, clean up fallen fruit and debris, and inspect fences and other potential access points. These ongoing efforts change the environment, making it less familiar and less attractive to iguanas, while keeping your pool clean and safe.
Pools are naturally enticing to iguanas because they combine warmth, water, shelter, and sometimes food. By understanding these factors and strategically addressing them through landscaping, access management, and practical tools, Florida homeowners can reclaim their pool area and enjoy a relaxing, iguana free backyard.
If you’re looking for a way to iguana proof more than just your patio, check out how to iguana proof your yard in 5 easy steps!
Frequently Asked Questions About Keeping Iguanas Out of Your Pool
Will the smell of bleach stop or deter iguanas from my patio?
Yes, but only temporarily. Iguanas dislike strong chemical odors like bleach, so the smell may keep them away for a short time. But it fades quickly outdoors, especially with rain or sun, plus bleach can damage plants, surfaces, or your pool area. It’s more of a short lived deterrent than a practical control method.
How to keep iguanas away from the pool?
To keep iguanas out of your pool, make the area less inviting by combining landscaping and practical measures. Trim low branches and remove iguana attracting plants (like hibiscus), keep the deck clear of clutter and standing water, and use barriers or fencing where possible. Adding movement or surface disruption to the water also makes pools less attractive to iguanas.
Do iguanas like swimming pools?
Yes, iguanas are attracted to swimming pools in Florida. Pools provide water for hydration, a place to cool off, and nearby warm surfaces for basking. Low hanging branches, shrubs, and poolside furniture make it easy for iguanas to access the water safely.
What to do if an iguana poops in your pool?
If an iguana poops in your pool, remove the droppings immediately using a skimmer net to prevent contamination. Check and adjust the pool’s chemical balance, including chlorine levels, if necessary. Regular maintenance and cleanup reduce the likelihood of repeat visits.
Do iguanas swim in pools in Florida?
Yes, green iguanas will swim in pools, especially on hot days. Swimming helps them cool down, and they often return to nearby sun warmed decks to bask. Pools with calm, open water are more inviting, so using floating objects to disrupt the surface can help discourage swimming.
What should you do if you see an iguana in Florida?
If you see an iguana, observe from a safe distance. Iguanas are generally not aggressive but may bite or scratch if threatened. To reduce future visits, remove nearby food sources, secure your pool area with covers and barriers, and trim landscaping. If they become invasive or destructive, consider humanely trapping or hiring a professional to remove them.