Pointe Michel residents complain of lizard infestation; not a crisis forestry officials say

One of the lizards at a home in Pointe Michel

Some residents of the south west village of Pointe Michel complaining about an “infestation” of tiny dark brown lizards running freely through their homes may have Puerto Rico to thank for that “nuisance”.

Dominica’s Forestry Division says it has had no formal complaint from the area about these lizards, but is aware of the problem.

Anolis Cristatellus – its scientific name – apparently came to this country from Puerto Rico, according to Assistant Forest Officer for Protection Ronald Charles.

“(It) arrived here possibly via freight containers” more than a decade ago, Charles told Dominica News Online.

Some Pointe Michel residents have told DNO that these lizards are becoming unbearable pests running freely in and out of their homes.

Charles says the invasive species settled quickly around Roseau in the Windsor Park area when they first arrived, and have since spread to various parts of the country.

“They move around quickly on vehicles, people moving around carry them in their bags, and they’ve spread out far and wide,” he confirmed.

“We have sightings in La Plaine, in Melville Hall, San Sauveur, GrandBay, Pichelin, the entire West Coast, the Roseau Valley, Watten Waven, Laudat, they are all over the place,” the forestry official told DNO.

Despite this the problem is not one of crisis proportion for the Forestry Division.

Charles says there are no easy answers to tackle these animals who are “very prolific breeders”.

He recommends that householders fed up with the pest engage in the “physical destruction of the individual animals”.

“Physically crush them,” Charles advises.

Anolis Cristatellus is displacing the local lizard – Anolis Oculatis, and that is a concern for Forestry officials.

Charles says the Puerto Rican lizard feeds on the indigenous lizards in Dominica “in that they feed on the juveniles and even on the females, and they are very aggressive, much more than we are accustomed to”.

The good news from the Forestry Division is that the new lizard is not a danger to the human population.

“We are not aware of any ability to transmit disease, like some rodents do,” he told DNO.

The Forestry official said the country cannot however afford to ignore the offending lizard because if left to its own devices it will destroy the local anolis population.

CLICK BELOW TO HEAR THE DNO INTERVIEW WITH RONALD CHARLES ON THE FAST SPREADING ALIEN SPECIES, THE LIZARD ORIGINATING FROM PUERTO RICO.

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80 Comments

  1. yes i
    January 19, 2012

    hey people the vibes is like that; we need to find a way to eliminate these dirty little critters without affecting our local green “zandoli” if this continues in the future our children will only read in book and hear the stories which we tell them about the beautiful green lizard which was native to our island( for all i know). In addition to all of that, we all know that everything and every being has a weak point, so the persons in the forestry could try to find out their weak point through research, eliminate them while in a conserved habitat continue to re-populate the out going species. its High time we in Dominica stand up and put and end to the corruption, whatever form of corruption it may be even pest control corruption. For indeed these pests are corrupting our normal flow.

  2. Duncekyat
    January 18, 2012

    De lizard run up she skirt an disappear
    Where de lizard, Teacher Mildred
    Under she dress
    Takin a ress
    De way she humming and happy
    Ah sure de lizard must be tickling she

    Eh beh Teacher Mildred take de first bus to Lapoint yesterday. She tell me in confidence she going commando pon dem lizard. :lol: :lol:

  3. BET
    January 18, 2012

    omg.. i hate lizards! i hv to be climbing all on the chairs when i see them. imagine i standing on the chair n shooing it with the broom n instead of going outside it coming more inside wi.. i know it sounds silly but im scared that it will stick on me like as it sticking on the walls to climb up n so..

  4. Teeny
    January 18, 2012

    Aye how nobody say is the end of time yet? :mrgreen:

    • mac
      January 19, 2012

      Or is voodoo, but saying that what else is coming to DA fromforeign shores, god help us all if we ever get some of those bad thing like swine flu,and chicken flu

  5. An onlooker
    January 18, 2012

    I reside in Canefield and can attest to this. The problem is not limited to the community of Pointe Michel only since i am currently experiencing the same problem. To those of you who believe this is a minor problem you are totally wrong because it is very unpleasant having several lizards running up and down your house every single second of the day.

    • 1979's HOPE renewed
      January 18, 2012

      my boy when you shooo those lizard yo paka mem bourgey!!! them lizards there more mohdy than labourites.

      • Theatrics
        January 18, 2012

        Even if you’re a labourite and you dont laugh at this comment then you have no sense of humour…..HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA….

        Very funny stuff!

  6. ch
    January 18, 2012

    Well, I kill every time, i see one because they are too bold.

  7. karla
    January 18, 2012

    STTUUPPPPES U GUYS HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO TALK ABOUT HELL WITH THEY DESTROYING LOCAL LIZARDS WHO CARES? JUST LEAVE DEM LITTLE FELLAS RUN ABOUT EN DEM CHINEESE DONT KNOW DAT YET?

    • yes i
      January 19, 2012

      lol u funny we boy, who say chinese eating lizards na? lol

  8. Big-Bannan
    January 17, 2012

    DNO thank you. I find that story more refreshing than the occasional politics and crimes that we have gotten used to lately. Boy if dat is wats making news in DA now den let it be. dat is what peepeereet and mal-feenee dem dya for. lol

  9. gorillaz
    January 17, 2012

    if it was good meat , it would never be stray like that ever !!!!!!!

  10. Justice and Truth
    January 17, 2012

    Dominican folks, I was shocked to read about the infiltration of lizards in DA. Unbelievable! How could they have come to DA and to penetrate every possible area? I have empathy for all of you.
    I reside in Toronto. We have our fair share of insects, mites and termites, even roaches, small ones and bed bugs. It is an epidemic.
    There are also insects which travel from the U.S. and wherever else and destroy crops. They are on a rampage. Only last week it was also shown on TV.
    We have raccoons, squirrels and pigeons. The stories are many. It is illegal to kill the raccoons, squirrels and pigeons. Pigeons fly unto the roofs of houses, apartment balconies and wherever they can get some comfort to rest and sleep.
    Raccoons and squirrels can climb and come through open doors, also of high rise apartments and destroy. Their teeth are sharp. They use them to destroy screens and enter the home or apartment dwellings.
    Pertaining to small roaches and bed bugs, I have resided in Canada for some years and never did I hear or know of them, be it through the Media. All of a sudden they are in Toronto and elsewhere as the U.S.
    In recent years Canada of all has had numerous immigrants and refugees from all over the world. I do not want to be project prejudice but the word is that some of them from foreign countries have brought those roaches and bed bugs into this country. Some of them are not clean people and also do not keep their accommodation clean.
    You may have heard that there is an infiltration of bed bugs in the U.S. stores as well.
    I recently read on the Internet, there was an infiltration of bed bugs in a U.S. Fire Department mattresses and that all the mattresses had to be destroyed/burnt.
    Some people have complained that they are clean people and keep their accommodation clean and they were shocked that their homes had bed bugs.
    Residing in a country/city of millions of people, working and traveling among others, the bugs and roaches or their eggs can be transported from work, on clothes, coats, purses, grocery bags, etc. We are advised what to do when we purchase items as clothes in the stores and bring them home. I take good note of that and also download the information.
    My advice to others is, be careful whom they welcome into their homes and where they go to that that they could unknowingly transport bed bugs and roaches to their homes.
    Taking a crowded elevator could do it as well.
    The matter of infestation of lizards in DA is also a mystery. How did they come to Dominica? God knows! :) I hope that they can be eradicated or curtailed.

  11. MARIGOT-973
    January 17, 2012

    you people are so retarted, here you are selling Dominica as the NATURE ISLE,and tiny lizards you guys come on here braying about, my goodness the lizards are back because no body is farming n using pesticide anymore, everything is coming back as it was in the old days crabs and the rest people just shut up and deal with it . imagine when God ALMIGHTY put a plague on us i wonder where we will hide?

    • January 18, 2012

      Dominica is already plague, plague is all over the island, too many evil people in the island Dominicans no longer clean their surrounding they get too lazy

      • Justice and Truth
        January 19, 2012

        @ Susan

        Do you not think that God is angry in the way people live? He sends plagues upon earth. Those will get us sick and annoy us in a worst way to the point of insanity.
        Consider, too, many were practicing Catholics and they have renounced their Catholic faith and joined other churches. They have become enemies of the Catholic Church as they speak evil against Catholic Dogmas and Its devotions and lambaste especially the good Priests.
        Some of them no longer go to Church. Others have rejected God as being the Creator and Ruler of the world. God is not blind, deaf or sleeping.
        As the world progresses, the worst is yet to come. In this capitalist age, there is a price to pay for following one’s desires, of the flesh, avarice, and accumulation of riches and material possessions.
        I do not want this to be a source of contention and discussion. However, there is a U.S. holy Priest as I deem him to be who has a program on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN)and Global EWTN Radio who stated that he is writing a book and entitling it, “Why Catholics Are So Stupid” but he wants it printed after his death. I smile at this. The reason for this is he does not want to hear any of their criticisms and attacks. I believe that in Heaven he will hear them. God will allow it as he will pray for those critics.

      • Justice and Truth
        January 19, 2012

        @ Susan

        What also gets me angry is that the former Mayor of Toronto has legislated that bags should no longer be given to customers. We have to purchase our own and/or bring our own. Those who make those bags are making a mint.
        Imagine purchasing items be it personal ones and if you do not have a bag they will be given to you in your hand. Can you imagine that?
        The cashier may ask, “Do you want a bag?” If you reply, “Yes”, you may have to pay ten cents for it.
        Do you think that this is fair to customers and that we should have to go through this?
        When I am asked, I reply, “If I do not have to pay for it.”
        On occasion, a nice cashier may give me a free bag. However, I always bring my own. I use those bags as garbage bags. This is another story since the City wants us to use other types of bags for garbage. Otherwise there will be charge. So much more to state.
        In previous years, we would be given free bags. I told one cashier, “You will expend a lot of breathe which is hard on your lungs asking throughout the day and night until the store closes, “Do you need a bag?”
        The new Mayor promised to look into it and to eliminate it. I have promised to write him about that.
        The money for the bags is paid to the stores and the City does not profit from the cost of selling the bags. This is another contention.
        I call it a society which has become classless. It is not what it used to be in previous years. What do you expect of some of those who are head of a City who are themselves classless? It is a great disgrace on them, bringing down the City/Country to a low degree. So much for the environmentalists who think that they know what is best for the world and for everyone. God help us too!

    • Justice and Truth
      January 19, 2012

      @ MARIGOT 973

      You are so correct. It is stated that due to the prohibition of certain pesticides which are deemed unhealthy to humans and the environment, they are no longer used. This is the reason why there is infiltration of all those annoying insects and mammals. This is the price we pay since those environmentalists state that people should preserve the environment. The entire world is paying for it. I wonder about those environmentalists. So much for them. I do think these people are more of a menace to society.

  12. Graduado
    January 17, 2012

    GET PAROS AND SCHOOL-CHILDREN TO CATCH THEM AND THE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT/MINISTRY PAY PER LIZARD,TRUST ME THE POPULATION WILL BE EREDUCED QUICKLY

  13. CHARMER
    January 17, 2012

    I am from the north, and I’ve notice these lizards many months ago. I have never seen lizards so tiny and so dark. They grow to be bigger than our local ones. I do not see much of our local ones and I understood that these dark things prey on them. They become very ugly.

  14. The truth
    January 17, 2012

    how the man can say crush them? is he for real? the nature isle and crush them? they have to deal with them professionally. simple as

  15. Mystic
    January 17, 2012

    We had a work day for our church and i cooked some to feed our men. They said that was the best peleau they had ever tasted! I still have not told them my secret ingredient, they think it tasting like chicken.

    • jane
      January 18, 2012

      you r sick, that is not a joke

  16. Anonymous
    January 17, 2012

    If you have a few of them running around your house you would see how much of a problem they are. Those that have begun to infest around my home in Marigot don’t appear to be the indigenous lizards of my youth. They are black and very unafriad of humans. They are like walking Gecko and seem strange to me. They do not have he yellow under necks of our indigenous lizards.

    The Mabouia population does not seem as many as before these black lizards appeared.

  17. January 17, 2012

    EBEH WEH!

    SKERRIT AGAIN!!

  18. ineedfree
    January 17, 2012

    rabbit foot;
    you are just the type of dominican that maintain a sick attidute in this country.

    You mean to say that one person should get a cutlas and fix the issue of grass everywhere; and if one person cant do it then we shouldnt sound the alarm to keep the island free from useless grass.

    Have you visited another island recently?
    I can assure you that they have more control of the bushes than us. WHAT ABOUT THE VILLAGE AND URBAN COUNCILS?

    Nature doesnt mean disorder,

  19. DD
    January 17, 2012

    Are you kidding me? This made news!! Get a cat people, if you are so fed up with the lizards. stupes

    • Ray
      January 18, 2012

      Yes it made news…like the African snail, the big ticks,the mealy bug, the coral snake, the Lion fish, and so on. In fact any foreign thing you put onto this fragile, small eco-system is bound to make news; people,money,plants animals and ideas. Think about it if you have the time.

      • Malatete
        January 18, 2012

        Come to think of it Ray, few of us are indigenous to the island either. Did we wreak any havoc? Think about that too.

  20. Roseau
    January 17, 2012

    I see these every day and they are not a pest… All they do is eat tiny insects, but you won’t find them eating your bread or anything.

    • Roseau
      January 17, 2012

      Also i’m quite shure that the lizards don’t eat other lizards.. The only way they can do that is if they are new born + I got 3 cats so we don’t have that many around.

      • poor people defender
        January 18, 2012

        how u know dey do eating oda lizard????? u does study dem??? u i a scientist????

    • Jahchild
      January 17, 2012

      Boy they complaining about lizard,humm they ain’t see infestation yet,go Grand Cayman Island for all you to see igunas infestation, LOL

  21. angel
    January 17, 2012

    I COME HOME ON VACATION EVERY YEAR FROM CANADA,AND THOSE DAMM LIZARDS ARE A PEST. ALL IN YOUR HOUSE I HATE THESE LIZARDS PLS DO SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE PEST. WHEN I WAS GROWING UP LIZARDS NEVER USED TO BE IN OUR HOUSES. PLS CLEAN UP THOSE PEST.

    • January 17, 2012

      ITS CALLED SHOES PEOPLE, SHOES…

    • Justice and Truth
      January 17, 2012

      @ Angel

      Why did they give you thumbs down? I gave you thumbs up. What you stated is correct. They are a nuisance. People will have to keep their doors and windows closed. They will have to install screens, wire meshes to keep out the lizards.

      • Anonymous
        January 18, 2012

        @ Justice and Truth: Even if you have screens and wire mesh, once you open your door, they inside your house before you. Trust me, I can tell you about it. All on your settee/sofa they want to be climbing. Stupes. I for one am fed up of them. I live in the Valley area.

    • MARIGOT-973
      January 17, 2012

      stay where you are idiot

    • Anonymous
      January 18, 2012

      Why dont you go buy “baygon” or “bop” or some other insecticide, or simply kill them !!!

    • karla
      January 18, 2012

      ANGEL JUST GET A DAMN CAT PROBLEM SOLVE

  22. 1979 Laughs out loud
    January 17, 2012

    this reflects our attitude towards most things indigenous. once it not affecting us whoever and whatever can come from wherever and displace what has already been here for years…….to hell with our local species… even if this may be the last place on earth they exist….jus let the foreigners INVADE!

    • 1979 Laughs out loud
      January 17, 2012

      when will we learn to protect OUR OWN!!!!! this is part of why I can care less about Dominicans, because they JUST DONT CARE PERIOD!

    • karla
      January 18, 2012

      HA HA I LIKE DAT

  23. To
    January 17, 2012

    I don’t know what i would do…I hate this animal so much..may sound mean but i just cant stand Zandoli!!

    • January 17, 2012

      I am so scared of them.

    • Justice and Truth
      January 17, 2012

      @ To

      Me too!

  24. Concerned
    January 17, 2012

    They are also at Loubiere and I am sick and tired of these lizards. They are so bold it’s not funny. To “physically crush them”..is that the best advice Mr Charles can give?

  25. Letmetellyou!
    January 17, 2012

    This is not only in Point Michel. It is all over the island. I have noticed that this has happened over the past three years. While it may be okay,it does however mean its natural predator has declined in population, or is extinct. One just has to be careful as lizard pop can not be a good thing. I happen to like them, and therefore live with them. Those I see often I have even given names to the. I will take lizards any day over rats, and roaches. Out that does not mean we have to let our guard down.

  26. good girl
    January 17, 2012

    There’s alot of them in st croix we called them pets you take your clothes to put on and they are right in there they move up and down inside your house

    • Justice and Truth
      January 17, 2012

      @ good girl

      What? This is an epidemic. How do they get in the house? I would feel upset. Yes and kill them too. Surely, the doors and windows should be screened and not left opened.

  27. patriot
    January 17, 2012

    workers that do that!

  28. just woundering
    January 17, 2012

    isaw a ducumentry where chinies eat these tipe of lizad. so we shuld not have a problem geting rid of them. call the chinies

    • Justice and Truth
      January 17, 2012

      just woundering

      Do you mean “wondering?” Have you heard that they also eat cats and dogs?
      In Canada, I once saw a program at the theatre prior to the movie being shown about how they breed dogs, cook and eat them. Those things upset me. Ever since I ceased eating Chinese fried rice at restaurants; will also not order it from home. I love the taste of the fried rice. I now make my own including cooking noodles and the soup.

    • karla
      January 18, 2012

      (JUST WONDERING) DESPITE OF YOUR MANY WRONG SPELLINGS I BIG U UP BIG TIME

  29. Bawi Boy
    January 17, 2012

    We need to protect our Zandoli and Mabuya!

    • Justice and Truth
      January 17, 2012

      @ Bawi Boy

      Protect them for what? Ever consider it that imagine being in bed and they smuggle up close to you; keeping you company. I would kill them all. :)

      • Justice and Truth
        January 19, 2012

        :oops: I meant “snuggle up.” See! No one is perfect. Not even me as much as I try to. :lol:

  30. Marcel
    January 17, 2012

    Cook them with white rice and give to people with asthma to eat. The asthma will disappear.

    • LMAO
      January 17, 2012

      Don’t forget the garlic too!

  31. ineedfree
    January 17, 2012

    “physically crush them”?

    That will be a lot of work. I also think it will be vey unsightly and unhealthy to do.

    We need a scientific approach out of our own research to tackle this crisis on a national level.

    I suggest as in all the islands, landscaping is seriously lacking here. The land is green with capie all over the place.

    The lizards are walking freely because the island is extremely disorganised with so much “bush” and dirty gutters.

    My conspiracy theory is biological warefare. However, it is very critical for the forestry to launch a serious program to control such massive intrusion

    • Rabbit Foot
      January 17, 2012

      So now that you have identified the problem, get yourself a cutlass and start weeding the place. Allu too like to point out problems and then take a back seat expecting someone else to fix it.

      Go do some work.

    • Justice and Truth
      January 17, 2012

      @ ineedfree

      Poison them! :lol:

  32. Nation
    January 17, 2012

    The Local cats take care of them well, I had that problem, but since i got a kitten, porblem solve. It will hunt then down.

  33. Anonymous
    January 17, 2012

    My sisiter just came back from D.A. pte michel specifically on vacationand she told me about the infestation, I saw the slow moving train of those lizards a few years ago while i was home on vacation from the states,and it is scary thos aggresive lizard eat up the local lizard and that is not good they eat up the little abolos, something has to be done they come in people houses, .
    the agriculture department need to find a way to erradicate thos basterds .
    install screen to the windows ,sticky traps, get some hungry cats extra. but just get rid of them.

  34. naturalist
    January 17, 2012

    peopli mean….crush them? Anyone ever stop to think that they eat insects and pest? every species has its purpose. It just like our snakes…some of us are afraid of snakes, but not becuase we are afraid of them doesnt mean whenwe pass them on the streets we should crush them. The eradication of snakes would mean an increase in rats. eradication of lizards would be an increase in flies and mosquitoes.Let nature take it’s course.

    • Justice and Truth
      January 17, 2012

      @ naturalist

      If I had an opportunity, I would kill every snake in the entire world. I often wonder what purpose are those mammals.
      Please let me further inform you. I reside in Toronto. It is a shame that the government allows dangerous snakes into this country as people pets. They are sold in the pet shops and people purchase them.
      Prior to the Christmas holidays, as was broadcasted and printed through the Media a few people found snakes in their toilets. They lift off toilet seats. One of them went into the bathtub and made itself comfortable. It was shown on TV. I would not look at it. I have informed my favorite TV Station, do not show this thing on TV, that some of us fear them and do not like looking at them. I tune off or walk away when they are shown.
      It is not the first time this has occurred. Early last year I heard of a young woman resident who went into the bathroom early morning and saw a snake there. She screamed and her father came. Always, the Police is telephoned who has the job of taking them out.
      Some years ago I saw on TV that a man had many snakes climbing on his drapes. Those things are upsetting to see.
      Canada has rattle snakes which are not dangerous. Some children like playing with them. Those other snakes are boa constrictors. They are dangerous and others which are imported. I promised to write/ contact the appropriate MP about that.
      The last thing I would want to experience is sitting on the toilet seat and a snake comes through it. They escape and go through the plumbing of homes and apartment buildings to the toilets. The thought of this has an effect on those who hate them.
      Landlords are strict about having such so-called pets in an apartment dwelling or a townhouse which is rented.
      I thought, DA has snakes but not once did we ever experience that in DA. Why should this occur in Canada and no doubt the U.S. or Great Britain as well? Strange but true.

  35. way pa pa
    January 17, 2012

    lay sticky traps on the floors or in the yards. and kill those things yaky

    • Justice and Truth
      January 17, 2012

      @ way pa pa

      Just as rats and cockroaches. :lol:

  36. Mouth of the West
    January 17, 2012

    Too much zandolie in the place. Just now they going to take over dominica.

    • Malatete
      January 17, 2012

      …teacher Mildred not complaining!!

  37. Mouth of the West
    January 17, 2012

    let me tell u noh. it going to have a big zandolie epidemic in Dominica soon. Too many of them around man.

    • Justice and Truth
      January 17, 2012

      @ Mouth of the West

      Those things are big enough. I cannot understand how they could get into people’s suitcases and then into their homes. They probably got into crates.

  38. Well
    January 17, 2012

    never forget this village is considered dark in many aspects!

    nothing surprises me about there.
    time will tell..

  39. Stealth Critiuqe
    January 17, 2012

    Lizards eat a lot of insects, such as flies an mosquitoes.

  40. January 17, 2012

    i have already started my campaign of destruction

    • Justice and Truth
      January 17, 2012

      @ Jones

      You have made me laugh. Good for you! :lol:

  41. Ray
    January 17, 2012

    I have observed the invasive lizards in action. They are really aggressive toward the local males. The invading males guard tree trunks allowing females to climb but will attack and devour the local males. It’s like a science fiction but real. They even attack the little “mabouya” at night too. And that I think is unusual. Don’t these lizards sleep anymore?! Charles check it out. Interesting area for research…

  42. van
    January 17, 2012

    No danger to humans is great. The fact that they are feeding on the indigenous Dominican lizard is a problem which should be tackled before it is too late.

    • Justice and Truth
      January 17, 2012

      @ van

      It appeared that it is already too late but the government could do something about it. Fumigate and destroy them in whatever manner.

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