Power outages caused by iguanas are a common problem for electrical facilities in South Florida. Many of these facilities have turned to iguana removal companies to mitigate infestations and provide solutions to keep these reptiles out of substations. From 2020 to 2022 there were 63 power outages in The City of Lake Worth Beach. In Key West, a iguana got zapped with 69,000 volts and managed to miraculously survive, it caused a 10 min power outage for many local areas.
These power outages impact many local neighborhoods, schools and even hospitals. Damages to electrical equipment are also possible depending on the severity of these repeated outages. There are many ways to eradicate iguanas and prevent them from causing these outages which we will elaborate in this article.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2381593/episodes/16435474
How Do Iguanas Cause Power Outages
Green and spiny tail iguanas can climb many structures because of their sharp nails and firm grips. Chain-link fences that typically secure electrical substations are ladders for these scaly invaders. Most iguanas that are not too big can actually crawl right through these fences. On electrical posts, the big brown poles you see electrical transformers on are easily climbed by iguanas. When an iguana comes into contact with a transformer, it can lead to power outages for local communities.
While providing iguana removal services, we have seen iguanas using telephone lines to access various properties. When trees are overgrown, it gives iguanas easy access to electrical lines and transformers. In electrical facilities, iguanas will search for warm surfaces to regulate their body temperatures such as concrete platforms which anchor down electrical components. One of the power outages caused by a green iguana lasted about 35 minutes.
Power Outage Impacts
Many people might not realize that power outages caused by iguanas do more than just make lights flicker; they also affect critical infrastructure like streetlights, police stations, schools, and hospitals. Businesses face similar impacts, often dealing with equipment damage because of power surges. Here are some key effects of these power outages.
1. Damage to Appliances: Sudden power outages can cause damage to sensitive electronic devices and appliances due to electrical surges when the power is restored.
2. Data Loss: Computers and other digital devices may lose unsaved data during unexpected outages, leading to potential productivity loss.
3. Halted Operations: For businesses, power outages can halt operations, leading to a loss of income and productivity during the downtime.
4. Increased Maintenance Costs: Frequent outages can increase wear and tear on equipment, resulting in higher maintenance and replacement costs.
5. Health and Safety Concerns: For homes, this might impact heating or cooling systems, lighting, and medical devices, posing health risks.
Safe Work Environment For Utility Workers
Employees working in electrical facilities and electrical substations are also impacted by iguanas. Mostly by iguana droppings around common areas. As iguanas go about their day eating vegetation, they also defecate where utility workers are working. If there are overgrown trees, iguanas will also defecate from tree limbs splattering the feces making a huge mess. Iguana poop can cause health risks due to possible salmonella poisoning. Workers may not be aware that their work area is contaminated which could lead to these health risks. Falling iguana season is another major hazard for utility workers, as these cold-blooded reptiles will come crashing down when temps drop into the low 40’s. One scenario is while utility workers utilize bucket trucks, there is a big possibility that an iguana can fall and strike the worker. Electrical equipment can also be impacted as these reptiles can grow very large. If iguana poop and falling iguanas weren’t enough, electrical facilities must also take into consideration how iguanas digging burrows can impact their facilities and substations.
Iguanas Digging Burrows Around SubStations
As mentioned previously, iguanas can impact electrical equipment during the iguana falling season and iguanas can also cause health risks because of their poop. Burrowing is another major problem which could lead to catastrophic damages, costly repairs and even bodily harm. As breeding season approaches, female iguanas will look for areas that are suitable for them to lay their eggs. This could happen under sidewalks, roads or concrete slaps all within electrical facilities or substations. Here are a couple of examples on how iguanas digging burrows can cause damage and bodily harm.
• Structural Damage: Burrows can weaken the foundation of electrical facilities, potentially leading to collapses or infrastructure failures that require costly repairs.
• Bodily Harm from Erosion: The creation of unstable ground due to erosion around burrows increases the risk of slips, trips, and falls, posing dangers to personnel.
• Road Damage: If iguanas undermine roads and paths used by utility vehicles, this can lead to costly damage, disruptions in maintenance schedules, and potential accidents.
• Electrical System Interference: Burrows may expose or damage underground cables, causing electrical shorts, power outages, or even fires that pose a risk to nearby workers and residents.
• Flooding Risks: Disrupted soil and drainage systems due to burrowing can lead to water accumulation, resulting in equipment damage and unsafe working conditions.
Implementing iguana removal and preventive measures for these facilities and sub stations is important to keep utility workers and structures safe.
Preventive Measures With Humane Iguana Control
Contracting a professional iguana pest control company will prevent power outages, health risks, and structural damages. By utilizing various methods of iguana control, electrical facilities can keep their areas free from invasive green iguanas. Iguana remediation has taken place throughout many of the substations located in south Florida, and there have been no reports of power outages. There are many ways to eradicate iguanas, methods such as removal by iguana trapping or by air pellet rifles. Deterrents such as barriers and tree wraps have also played a vital role in keeping these pesky critters out. For example, by wrapping power poles with clear wraps it will stop iguanas from reaching transformers. Another tactic we have used is installing clear plexiglass along chain link fences to keep iguanas out of substations.
Iguana burrow monitoring and egg removal is another vital role in preventing new infestations from forming. Our team of iguana removal technicians will survey the property and look for iguanas burrows and will remove any eggs located. Proper filling of these burrows is also important to prevent erosion which may lead to unstable terrain. Due to many of these electrical locations being very busy with humans, iguanas may not always be around, this is when we implement night time iguana removals. To learn more about effective iguana control for electrical facilities and substations, contact the pros at Humane Iguana Control.
