Carmel on the Case: Leapin' Lizards

(WSVN) -- Janice Kelly shot a home video from her kitchen window.

Green iguanas and several other lizard species hanging out in her Lauderhill backyard.

Janice: "They look at you like they're paying the mortgage."

There are so many of them the mother of two is afraid to go outside.

Janice: "I stopped going outside in the backyard because I'm afraid for the children, for myself."

Iguanas originally come from Mexico and Central and South America. But now they call South Florida home -- thanks to people who illegally discarded them as pets.

We first reported on this invasion back in July, with scenes from parks throughout the area.

Now homeowners in Miramar are saying iguanas are moving in on them too.

Tracy Johnson: "They are like alligators big huge ones over six of them."

Tracy Johnson says she also won't go into her backyard. She says iguanas hang from the trees and eat her plants.

Tracy: "I'm a prisoner in my own house because of the iguanas."

Bob Freer: "This one was found running loose here in Homestead."

Bob Freer gets calls about iguanas all the time. As a licensed trapper, freer says he's not allowed to relocate the lizards. Instead, they must be killed because they're not native to Florida.

Bob: "Unless you get them all, and find the females that breed you're going to have a problem year after year."

But Freer says although the reptiles may not make the best pets, they are harmless unless harassed.

Bob: When they get to be about six feet long, they might stand their ground but they're not going to come after you. You can walk away from them."

Call her in Dade at 305-627-CLUE

Or in Broward at 954-921-CLUE