How Do I Protect My Hot Pepper Plants From Iguanas, Caterpillars, Small Lizards And More.

Question

I have brought back my 3 chocolate habanero plants from leaflessness for the second time. They are now in the house by a sunlit door. (see picture) Twice all the leaves were gone in one night. The players include 1-2ft iguanas, 6″ to 18″ green iguanas, caterpillars and 1″ to 4″ lizards. We have not caught them in action, except once a green iguana was munching on a hibiscus plant and we scared him away. They are all over the place. My babies seem to be doing well now, but I don’t think they get enough sun or heat inside by the window and we have not seen any peppers yet. I was thinking about one of the small greenhouses or building some kind of small screened in area. I would appreciate any help or tips you could give me.

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Answer 1

When your plants were outside were they close to the house or out in the yard? Sometimes animals are reluctant to come up on a porch or close to the house if people are often going in and out. Planting "decoy" plants is another idea, such as planting other types of peppers you don't want that they could eat. Erecting a low fence might be enough to keep iguanas out. Lizards are probably not a problem as they eat bugs.

If you can afford the small greenhouse that would be ideal. Also, if you wanted to keep your plants inside, a grow light should provide enough light for them.

Here are more ideas:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/iguana-control.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/camouflage-gardening.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/what-animal-is-eating-my-seedlings.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/managing-lizard-populations.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/vegetable-gardening-indoors.htm