How to stop pests eating your jack-o'-lanterns – follow our expert advice

Spooky, kooky, and funny pumpkins lining porches and front yards are a staple Halloween tradition that brings joy to so many, but jack-o'-lanterns can also prove to be a very tempting attraction for pests and critters.

Carved pumpkins left in the open for days and weeks are an open invite to bugs and critters looking for their next meal so we spoke to gardening and pest control experts for their top 19 ways to prevent your jack-o'-lantern becoming a messy, infested meal fro local wildlife,

The good news is there are many ways to keep pests away and preserve the joy of your Halloween decorating idea for as long as possible.

How pros stop pests eating jack-o’-lanterns

• Spray pumpkins with insecticidal soap: 'Or use neem oil, especially around openings,' says Joe Dogherty, owner of D&G Landscaping. 'The unpleasant smell deters most bugs. Reapply every few days to keep the barrier strong.'
• Put on raised platforms: Joe adds, 'Raised platforms also help by limiting moisture buildup, which attracts pests.' Roofing contractor Jason Hedtler, owner of Hedtler Roofing has seen his fair share of pests devouring jack-o'-lanterns. He says, 'An overturned crate or table puts distance between the pumpkin and moisture in the ground, which attracts pests. Keeping pumpkins in a cool, dry area away from direct contact with the ground will help.'
• Use commercial repellents: Spray pest control with pyrethrin in it. Joe says, 'It can eliminate existing pests and prevent future ones when reapplied regularly. We use similar sprays to protect plants from damage on jobs that span multiple days. Frequent use is key.' Liquid Fence is pest control pro Brendan Polichronopoulos, owner of Local Pro Book's first choice. He says, 'It’s widely used to keep pests like deer, rabbits, and other animals away from gardens, shrubs, and trees. It’s important that the composition is completely natural and does not harm humans, animals, or the environment. It is not washed off by rain and lasts up to 30 days. It is produced in the form of a spray, which makes it easy to apply. I think it is the most effective and safe option for keeping pests off jack-o'-lanterns.
• Bring jack-o'-lanterns inside at night: As pumpkins begin to rot, the smell intensifies, attracting swarming pests such as ants and flies. 'To avoid this, bring pumpkins indoors at night and place them in a cool area like a garage or shed,' Joe adds. 'The indoors environment limits pest access while the lack of light deters those that get in. This simple step can keep jack-o’-lanterns intact for up to a week after carving.'
• Apply petroleum jelly: Richard Christner, co-owner of Whitmore Pest and Wildlife Control says, 'You can apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the cared edges and inside of the pumpkin which not only slows the drying process, extending the pumpkin's life, but it also creates a slick surface that makes it hard for pest like ants and flies to access. For even better results consider mixing with essential oils or cayenne pepper prior to application.
• Use motion sensor lights: Whilst taking your pumpkins inside is preferable, if they need to stay outside, Richard has a smart tip. He says, 'If you must leave your pumpkin out overnight, consider installing motion-activated lights or sprinklers around your display. That way, nocturnal wildlife like raccoons and possums will be startled by the sudden light or water preventing them from raiding your pumpkins.'
• Place sticky bug traps: Use sticky bug traps near your pumpkins to capture flying insects before they reach your display. Richard adds, 'This method can be effective for fruit flies and gnats, which are often attracted to rotting pumpkins.' You can discreetly use these orange round sticky fly traps from Walmart among your pumpkins and decor.
• Use Diatomaceous Earth: For crawling insects like ants, earwigs, and beetles, sprinkling diatomaceous earth around your pumpkins can be a non-toxic option that works by drying out pests that come in contact with it. 'For an extra layer of protection, consider dusting the inside of your pumpkin with diatomaceous earth to help prevent nesting inside as the pumpkin starts to decompose,' says pest pro Richard Christner of Whitmore Pest and Wildlife Control. When used as per manufacturer's instructions, this is also safe around pets and children.
• Delay decay: You can slow down the decomposition of your carved pumpkin, which will in turn help keep pests that are often attracted to the smell of rot, away. Andre Kazimierski, CEO of home improvement platform Improovy says, 'Bleach solutions can help eliminate bacteria that can speed up the decaying process, and of course make sure you're scooping out the insides of the pumpkin thoroughly before placing it outside. Pumpkins preserved this way tend to attract fewer pests and are therefore less susceptible to damage.'
• Use human hair clippings: Matthew Wilson, of Handy Gardeners has an off-beat trick that works well. He says, 'Collect hair cut from recent hair cuts and scatter them around the base of the pumpkin. In general, animals like deer and rodents do not like the smell of people. I have seen this work one 100% in keeping animals away from client's gardens.'
• Spray garlic: Cleaning pro Daniel pro adds, 'One of the most effective repellents is a homemade garlic spray. Crush a few cloves of garlic and mix them with a pint of water. Allow it to steep overnight. Spray liberally on and inside your pumpkin to ward off insects.'
• Keep the yard tidy: Take proper care of your lawn, advises Meg Pearson, humane nuisance wildlife removal expert of Critter Control. ‘Keep the yard well manicured, as many smaller animals thrive in areas with unkempt lawns,’ she explains. Daniel also recommends avoiding placing pumpkins near or around high vegetation, or on the ground as this is where most pests are found.
• Seal your home: ‘Additionally, making sure your home is sealed and there are no available entry points will reduce the local critter population thus reducing the chances they make a meal out of the pumpkin,’ says Meg.
• Prepare the pumpkin the right way: ‘Ensure you completely remove and dispose of the pumpkin guts, as this moist part of the pumpkin is particularly attractive to pests,’ recommends plant expert Autumn Hilliard-Knapp of My Perfect Plants. ‘It is best practice to thoroughly dry out the inside of the pumpkin with a rag or paper towels.’
• Use a citronella candle: ‘For even further protection I would consider placing a citronella candle inside the pumpkin,’ says Autumn. You can bulk-buy citronella teal-light candles from Amazon.
• Opt for vinegar: While some recommend using a bleach solution to spray the inside of a jack-o’-lantern to deter pests, bleach is harmful and can be fatal for creatures who feed on a pumpkin treated this way, according to the Toronto Wildlife Center. ‘To safely preserve your pumpkin, instead use a natural solution of 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water,’ the center recommends instead. You can also use vinegar to clean around the home.
• Use essential oils: Josh Payne, of Classical Landscapes says essential oils are another natural way to deter pests. He says, 'Natural essential oils like peppermint or citrus effectively repel insects for days when reapplied. At my company, we use similar agents to protect plants and materials left on job sites overnight. Frequent reapplication, every two to three days, is key.' You can make a potent mix with 20-30 drops of your chosen essential oil, mixed with two cups of water and applied using a spray bottle. We like the Laguna Moon essential oils pack on Amazon.
• Try cinnamon: Another alternative is cinnamon, according to Bryan Clayton, garden expert and founder of GreenPal. ‘A natural repellent that works wonders is a cinnamon spray,’ he explains. ‘Just mix a couple of tablespoons of cinnamon with water and spray it inside and around the jack-o’-lantern. It’s a great way to keep away a variety of critters.‘
• Resort to a physical barrier: Bryan suggests, ‘A small chicken wire fence or similar barrier can be an effective way to physically keep pests away from your jack- o’-lantern. It's not the prettiest solution but it works,’ he says.

Pest prevention tactics to avoid

There are many brilliant and easy ways to keep critters away from your spooktacular jack-o’-lanterns, but there is one to firmly stay away from. ‘Some people wrap their pumpkins in plastic wrap overnight thinking it will protect them,’ says Bryan Clayton. ‘Not only is it not effective, but it also traps moisture, leading to a quicker rot.’

FAQs

Which pests are attracted to jack-o’-lanterns?

Beasties of a variety of sizes are likely to come after jack-o’-lanterns. ‘Many rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels will be interested in feeding on your jack-o’-lantern, but they may also attract larger animals, such raccoons, opossums, groundhogs, and deer,’ says Meg Pearson, training manager at Critter Control, a humane nuisance wildlife removal company.

A variety of insects are also drawn to them. ‘Fruit flies, ants, gnats, and earwigs are some of the main pests that are attracted to jack-o’-lanterns,’ says Autumn Hilliard-Knapp, horticulture specialist at Perfect Plants Nursery.

What attracts pests to jack-o’-lanterns?

We’re delighted by the results of carving pumpkins, but what’s the lure of Halloween porch decor for the local wildlife? ‘Though your annual jack-o’-lantern is a fun piece of fall decor, it can essentially act as a free meal for the local critter community,’ says Meg Pearson. ‘Many critters are opportunist and will quickly take advantage of the pumpkin decor.’

‘The delectable interior of jack o’lanterns acts as a magnet for pests,’ agrees Autumn Hilliard-Knapp. ‘Pumpkins are a desirable treat for many pests, and when transformed into a jack-o’-lantern, the scent becomes particularly enticing. The carved openings provide convenient entry points for pests to reach the interior of the pumpkin. Pests also find the inside of the pumpkin to be an ideal location for reproduction, as it offers abundant nourishment for their offspring, contributing to the proliferation of pests.’

A jack-o’-lantern creates the right ghastly atmosphere, but if the attentions of critters put you off, don’t forget the alternatives to pumpkin carving that avoid exposing the attractive interior.

Pumpkin painting and other no-carve pumpkin ideas can produce equally spine-chilling results. A display of pumpkins and lanterns can look great on the porch, too, and can be teamed with other Halloween craft ideas, for a homemade spook-fest.