Jack-o’-lanterns won’t scare off wild animals — but could cause problems. Here’s why
It’s the time of year where people are carving pumpkins and setting out creative displays around their homes and yards.
Although jack-o’-lanterns are traditional Halloween decorations, they aren’t healthy snacks for hungry wildlife.
In fact, they can cause harm to wild animals and people, the Arizona Game and Fish Department in Tucson said in an Oct. 11 news release.
“When displayed outdoors, they may attract wildlife to homes, potentially creating conflicts with people,” the agency’s Regional Supervisor Raul Vega said in the release.
If a wild animal knows there is food around, they will continue to return to the area and become habituated to humans, wildlife officials said.
Habituated animals can be dangerous
This is dangerous for an animal that no longer sees a human as a threat. It’s also dangerous for people if an animal gets too close and causes an injury.
“Habituating wildlife to a human food source inevitably leads to conflicts with people and can result in serious harm in some cases,” the agency’s Urban Wildlife Specialist Locana de Souza said.
Feeding wildlife can also cause many problems for wild animals, including obesity and malnutrition, and “promote the spread of disease,” de Souza said.
There’s an additional risk if you decide to paint your pumpkins, adding a potential toxin to a wild animal’s seasonal snack, according to federal wildlife officials.
“If you choose to paint rather than carve your round orange canvas, please keep it indoors and away from any critters who might feast on its painted flesh,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said. “You can also explore nontoxic paint options made with natural ingredients when possible.
So instead of placing pumpkins, squashes, gourds and other edible fall decorations on the ground, wildlife officials advise putting them high on fences or inside window sills.
The decorations should then be “discarded securely,” officials said.
Fake pumpkins can also be a safe alternative for outdoor decorations, officials said.
This story was originally published October 12, 2023 at 1:35 PM with the headline "Jack-o’-lanterns won’t scare off wild animals — but could cause problems. Here’s why."
