Aromas And Spices: Iguana-Repelling Scents And Herbs

Iguanas may be fascinating creatures, but they can be a menace to your garden, eating flowers, vegetables, and fruits. They also carry salmonella, which can be harmful to humans. So, what aromas and spices can help keep iguanas away?

Iguanas have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find food sources. They are attracted to the scent of flowers and fruits but dislike citrus fruits, garlic, and habanero peppers. Therefore, planting citrus trees like lemon or orange trees in your garden can help deter iguanas. Additionally, using garlic or pepper-based repellents can also be effective.

Other ways to make your garden less inviting to iguanas include removing their food sources, such as flowering plants and keeping your yard clean and maintained. You can also try making loud noises, such as banging pots and pans, or spraying them with water to scare them away.

Garlic and habanero peppers

If you're looking to keep iguanas away, garlic and habanero peppers are a great combination to use. Here's a detailed guide on how to use these ingredients effectively:

Garlic as a Repellent

While there is no scientific evidence to support it, many people have found success in using garlic to repel iguanas. Garlic has a strong scent that can help deter iguanas from entering your yard or garden. You can find garlic-based repellents, such as garlic spray, or try using garlic-repellent granules. Spray repellents are best applied around the borders of your yard and in areas that iguanas frequent. Just be cautious not to spray them directly on vegetation, as natural ingredients like garlic can sometimes stunt plant growth.

Habanero Peppers as a Repellent

Iguanas are not fans of spicy scents, and habanero peppers pack quite a punch in that department. To make a homemade pepper spray, add two tablespoons of pepper sauce (such as Tabasco) to a spray bottle, fill it with water, and shake well. Then, spray this mixture near plants that iguanas like to snack on. Be cautious when applying this spray, as it can irritate your eyes and harm bees if applied during the wrong time of day. For bee safety, apply the spray only during the early morning or late evening when bees are less active, and avoid flowering plants.

Combining Garlic and Habanero Peppers

Using both garlic and habanero peppers together can create an even more effective repellent. You can find commercial repellents that combine these ingredients or make your own spray by infusing garlic and habanero peppers in water. Apply this spray in the same way you would use the individual sprays, being mindful of the potential irritants and plant safety.

Other Tips for Iguana Control

In addition to using garlic and habanero peppers, there are some other things you can do to make your yard less inviting to iguanas:

• Keep your yard clean and maintained. Remove dense bushes, trees, and piles of debris that may provide shelter for iguanas.
• Fill in any holes or gaps that could be used as nests.
• Wrap trees in sheet metal to prevent climbing and protect them from being eaten.
• Protect your plants with chicken wire or mesh, burying it at least one foot underground.
• Keep food and trash secured, as iguanas will scavenge for these.
• Make loud noises or spray water to scare away iguanas temporarily.

Citrus fruits

Iguanas are herbivores, meaning they eat plants, specifically leaves, flowers, and fruits. They are also known to eat human food and pet food.

Iguanas are not fond of citrus fruits. Oranges, for example, can be fed to iguanas as a treat, but only in small amounts. The high levels of acidity in oranges and other citrus fruits mean they should be fed sparingly. The rind of an orange can be offered to an iguana as a source of fibre and compounds that support digestion.

To keep iguanas away, you can try planting citrus trees in your yard or garden. Lemongrass, in particular, is a good option as it fills the area with a refreshing scent for humans while deterring iguanas with its smell and taste.

In addition to planting citrus trees, you can also try the following methods to make your yard or garden less attractive to iguanas:

• Remove dense bushes and trees, as well as piles of rocks, wood, and other debris that iguanas can hide in.
• Store boats, canoes, and kayaks in a garage or enclosed space to prevent iguanas from taking shelter in them.
• Protect plants with chicken wire or mesh, burying the wire at least one foot underground to prevent iguanas from accessing them from below.
• Wrap trees in sheet metal to prevent iguanas from climbing them.
• Keep trash cans closed and secured, and do not leave food or pet food outside.
• Fill in holes and gaps in your yard with cement or gravel and dirt to prevent iguanas from burrowing or settling in existing nests.

Neem oil

To make your own neem oil spray, start by purchasing organic, raw, or crude 100 percent pure, cold-pressed neem oil for the best quality and effectiveness. Mix one litre of warm water with 1/3 teaspoon of mild dish soap or mild detergent, and shake vigorously to mix. Then, add one teaspoon of neem oil and shake again. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and test it on a small area of your garden to ensure it doesn't harm your plants. If your plants show no adverse effects after 24 hours, you can apply the spray more liberally, but only once a week.

To minimise harm to bees and other beneficial insects, apply the spray during the early morning, late evening, or at night, and only to plants that aren't in bloom. Avoid spraying in direct sunlight, on windy days, or in extreme temperatures. Always wash any exposed fruits or vegetables before consuming them.

Cayenne pepper

To make a cayenne pepper spray, mix 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper and a few drops of dish detergent into a quart of water. You can also add 1/2 a gallon of white vinegar and 1/2 a gallon of hot sauce to the mixture. Let the mixture sit overnight, then stir and pour it into a spray bottle.

Be cautious when applying the spray, as it can irritate your eyes if it comes into contact with them. It can also be harmful to bees, so apply it only to non-flowering plants or during the early morning or late evening when bees are not generally foraging.

Keep in mind that cayenne pepper loses its potency over time and is ineffective when wet. Therefore, you will need to reapply it regularly, especially after rainfall or watering your plants.

In addition to cayenne pepper, you can also use other deterrents such as neem oil, crushed eggshells, or lemongrass to help keep iguanas away.

Cedarwood

To repel iguanas, cedarwood oil can be added to an atomizer bottle and sprayed on dried flowers or a lightbulb to gently scent your home. It can also be mixed with other soothing scents, such as lavender.

Frequently asked questions