Aromatic Iguana Repellents: Spices And Scents To Keep Them Away

Iguanas may be fascinating creatures, but they can be a menace to your garden, eating flowers, fruits, and vegetables. They can also be carriers of diseases such as salmonella. If you have an iguana infestation, there are several natural aromas and spices you can use to keep them away.

Iguanas have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find food sources. They are attracted to flowers and fruits, but dislike citrus fruits and trees, such as lemon and orange. Their strong sense of smell can be used against them by using fragrances that confuse their senses, such as oregano, citronella, and lemongrass.

In addition to citrus, iguanas are also discouraged by strong-smelling spices such as garlic, habanero peppers, clove oil, and peppermint oil. A natural iguana repellent spray can be made by mixing garlic and pepper and spraying it in corners and around windowsills. Alternatively, you can try a spray made from hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco, mixed with water.

Lemongrass and citrus plants

Iguanas have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find food sources. They have an intense dislike of citrus fruits, so planting citrus trees in your yard can be a great way to deter iguanas. Lemongrass, in particular, is effective as it has very tasty leaves that iguanas enjoy eating, but once they eat the plant to its roots, they come to hate the fragrance. The plant's future is thus ensured by the way it uses fragrance to interact with the environment.

Citronella, a close cousin of lemongrass, is also disliked by iguanas, presumably because of its citrus notes. It is also a great insect repellent, so it can be usefully grown between plants to deter pests.

In addition to planting lemongrass and citrus trees, there are other steps you can take to make your garden less attractive to iguanas. Keep your yard well-maintained and free of debris, such as dense thickets, overturned canoes, and piles of lumber or rocks, as these provide shelter for iguanas. You should also remove vegetation that iguanas like to eat, such as flowering plants and shrubs, or protect your plants with mesh and wiring. Filling in burrows and other holes or gaps with gravel, dirt, or cement will also help to make your yard inhospitable to iguanas.

Neem oil

To make your own neem oil spray, purchase organic crude or raw 100 percent pure, cold-pressed neem oil. Mix one litre of warm water with 1/3 teaspoon of mild dish soap or detergent, then add one teaspoon of neem oil and shake to combine. Apply the solution to your garden using a spray bottle, testing on a small area first to ensure it does not harm your plants. If there is no adverse reaction after 24 hours, apply the spray once a week, ensuring you coat the undersides of leaves where pests can lay eggs. Neem oil is most effective when applied in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler, and there is less wind and direct sunlight. Avoid spraying near hives or pollinator-friendly blooms to protect bees and other beneficial insects.

Hot peppers

Using Hot Peppers to Keep Iguanas Away

Iguanas are a common problem for homeowners, especially in warmer climates. These large lizards can be a nuisance, damaging gardens and plants and leaving waste in pools or on decks. While there are many ways to deter iguanas, one popular method is to use hot peppers.

Iguanas do not like the scent of hot peppers, so a spray made from pepper sauce can be an effective deterrent. To make this spray, simply add 2 tablespoons of pepper sauce, such as Tabasco, to a spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Shake the bottle to mix the solution, and then spray it near plants that iguanas are snacking on. This spray will repel iguanas without causing any harm to them. However, it is important to use caution when applying this spray, as pepper sauce can irritate your eyes if it comes into contact with them. It is also detrimental to bees, so it should only be applied to non-flowering plants or during times when bees are not typically foraging, such as early morning or late evening.

In addition to using hot pepper spray as a repellent, some people also feed hot peppers to their pet iguanas. While it may seem counterintuitive to feed iguanas the very thing that repels them, hot peppers are actually a healthy and enjoyable treat for these lizards. Jalapenos, chillies, and other spicy peppers do not affect iguanas the same way they do humans because they have different nerve endings. Iguanas can handle the heat of these peppers much better than we can, and they provide a good source of hydration, vitamin A, and colour to their diet. However, it is always best to introduce new foods gradually and in small amounts to avoid any potential digestive issues.

Overall, hot peppers can be an effective and safe way to keep iguanas away from your property. Whether used as a spray or fed to pet iguanas, these spicy peppers can help deter iguanas without causing them any harm. By incorporating hot peppers into your iguana management strategy, you can effectively reduce the number of iguanas in your yard or garden.

Crushed eggshells

While this method has not been scientifically proven, it can be a useful component of a broader strategy to manage iguana infestations. Here are some additional steps you can take to make your yard less appealing to iguanas:

• Maintain a tidy yard: Keep the grass trimmed and cut back overgrown bushes and trees that iguanas like to hide in.
• Remove debris: Iguanas are attracted to piles of rocks, wood, and other debris, so it's best to keep your yard clear of these.
• Secure trash cans: Iguanas will scavenge for food in trash cans, so use bins with tight-fitting lids or weigh them down with something heavy.
• Protect plants: Use wire netting or protective barriers around your plants, ensuring that the barrier extends underground as iguanas are good diggers.
• Wrap tree trunks: To prevent iguanas from climbing trees, wrap the trunks with sheet metal, starting about 18 inches from the ground.
• Remove food sources: Clean up after outdoor dining and keep pet food indoors. Also, pick up any fallen fruit from trees as these can attract iguanas.
• Plant citrus trees: Iguanas dislike citrus fruits, so consider planting citrus trees or lemongrass in your yard as a natural repellent.

Essential oils: clove, peppermint, oregano, citronella

Clove, peppermint, oregano, and citronella essential oils can be used to deter iguanas from entering your home or garden. Here are some ways to use these essential oils to keep iguanas away:

Clove Essential Oil

Clove oil is derived from the flower buds of the clove tree, native to Southeast Asia and Indonesia. It has a strong, spicy aroma and a range of potential benefits, including antimicrobial and pain-relieving properties. To use clove oil to deter iguanas, you can:

• Create a clove oil spray by adding several drops of clove oil to water. This can be used as a room spray or a mild disinfectant.
• Diffuse clove oil using a diffuser to spread its aroma throughout a room.
• Apply clove oil topically by diluting it with a carrier oil such as jojoba, coconut, or olive oil. This can be used for pain relief or to promote healing and can be especially useful for dental hygiene.
• Add a few drops of clove oil to your favourite autumn or holiday recipes to add a spicy flavour.
• Combine clove oil with other essential oils, such as cinnamon or wild orange, to create a stimulating diffuser blend.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil has a refreshing and invigorating scent that can help deter iguanas. To use peppermint oil:

• Create a peppermint oil spray by adding a few drops of peppermint oil to water. Spray this mixture around the areas where iguanas are a problem.
• Diffuse peppermint oil using a diffuser to fill your space with its cooling aroma.
• Apply peppermint oil topically by diluting it with a carrier oil. This can help soothe and cool the skin while deterring iguanas.

Oregano Essential Oil

Oregano oil has a strong, herbaceous aroma and antimicrobial properties that may help keep iguanas at bay. To use oregano oil:

• Create an oregano oil spray by mixing a few drops of oregano oil with water. Spray this mixture around the perimeter of your home or garden to create a natural barrier against iguanas.
• Diffuse oregano oil to fill the air with its pungent aroma, which may help repel iguanas.
• Mix oregano oil with a carrier oil and apply it to your skin for a soothing and protective effect.

Citronella Essential Oil

Citronella oil is known for its powerful insect-repelling properties and can also be effective against iguanas. To use citronella oil:

• Create a citronella oil spray by mixing citronella oil with water. Spray this mixture around your home, garden, or any areas where iguanas are a problem.
• Diffuse citronella oil to fill your space with its fresh, citrusy aroma, which may help deter iguanas.
• Apply citronella oil topically by diluting it with a carrier oil. This can help keep iguanas away while also providing a refreshing scent to your skin.

Remember to always follow safety guidelines when using essential oils and conduct a small patch test on your skin before full application to ensure you don't have any sensitivities or allergic reactions.

Frequently asked questions