Iguanas blamed for power outages in the Keys

Iguanas have been blamed for power outages in the Florida Keys recently. One utilities company seems to have come up with a solution, iguana proofing. They will be placing animal guards on all of their power transformers to hopefully deter the invasive species from wreaking havoc on the power grid and the project comes with a high price tag of $91,000. Various species wander into the substations looking for food or shelter and sometimes get electrocuted and cause loss of power for hundreds of residents.

One way people are helping to combat the invasive species is by hunting them. Florida encourages its residents to hunt and kill the reptiles as a way of controlling their populations. Some, like one local California man, have been using the iguanas as a source of food in things like burritos and tacos. The man has had so much success in Florida with his exotic meats operation, that he plans on moving to the state to continue the hunt for more of the invasive reptiles.

For more information on invasive animal control, visit On Point Wildlife Removal of Palm Bay.

What happens when an iguana meets a transformer?

In the Florida Keys, invasive iguanas have caused more power outages than one electric company could stand.

Iguana-proofing is here.

Keys Energy Services’ Utility Board recently approved the installation of animal guards on power transformers at all nine of its electrical substations.

The cost: $91,000. It’s going to Greenjacket Inc., a company that makes the fiberglass caps meant to cover transformers to prevent “wildlife caused outages,” perpetrated in other parts by squirrels, snakes, raccoons and birds. Read more

Summary: Iguanas have been blamed for power outages throughout the Florida Keys. Keys Energy Service will be placing animal guards on all of their transformers in each substation to help prevent the critters from accessing important equipment.

Florida iguanas hunted and killed for food

Iguanas living in South Florida have something new to watch out for – a California-based exotic meats operation is setting up shop to take advantage of the invasive population.

According to Palm Beach Post, California resident Anshu Pathak has been making a living selling iguana meat from his exotic meats operation. He’s found so much success in Florida that he expects to relocate to Fort Lauderdale by the end of the year. Read more