Spooky season is just around the corner. Many people revel in autumnal glory once fall is in full swing by displaying their most festive decorations. Many fall decorations include live pumpkins for authentic seasonal beauty. However, pumpkins can attract various pests to your home in droves, like children flock to Halloween candy. Find out how to minimize unwanted visitors and who to call for pest removal services this fall. 

Who’s Who of Pumpkin-Eating Culprits

A pumpkin makes the most versatile fall decoration. It can remain whole or carved, in a group of other pumpkins, stacked or alone, on the top of a scarecrow or smiling with bright candles behind its triangle eyes. No matter the approach, pumpkins rule the season. Pumpkins are also notorious for drawing in pests of all kinds. Identify the most common pests waiting for you to put your pumpkin out. 

Bugs and Flies 

Attracted to the rot of decomposing pumpkins, these irritating pests will swarm around your fall decor.

Ants and Slugs 

Ants will find the pumpkin and alert all their friends and family to return for the full buffet. Slugs will gather on your porch for their turn to slime the pumpkin for dinner. 

Mice and Rats 

Mice and rats will eat an uncarved pumpkin but love a jack-o-lantern more. Easy access to the delectable interior has even led to homeowners finding rodents asleep inside their pumpkins, too full to move after their feast. 

Squirrels and Chipmunks 

Squirrels and chipmunks are always preparing for the winter. Since pumpkins are an easy food source and have seeds inside, these yard warriors will always seek a bounty to bury for winter.

Other Wildlife 

Depending on what area you live in, you may also have to contend with deer and rabbits. Both animals love to eat pumpkin and will seek out its tender orange flesh carved or not. 

What To Do To Keep Pests Away

Sometimes, the best solution is prevention. But the season is so short that you may want to consider other alternatives too. Displaying pumpkins in your window sills, higher up above the ground, is one idea. You could also opt for carvable artificial pumpkins that alleviate both the mess and the pests that come with some fall festivities. However, the pumpkin carving tradition is non-negotiable for many people. If you are lucky, your pumpkin will last up to two weeks once carved. Follow these tips to prolong the life of your pumpkin:

• Find the firmest pumpkin in the patch 
• Make sure all insides are removed 
• Wipe down insides with citronella oil 
• Combine a litre of water with a quarter teaspoon of bleach to spray 
• Use a battery-operated light, not a real candle 
• Keep your pumpkin out of the direct sun 

How To Get Rid of Unwanted Guests

No matter how many precautionary measures you take to protect your pumpkin and prolong its life, it is genuinely just a seasonal beauty. Pumpkins may last up to two weeks after they are carved, but they can incur damage from the moment they arrive on your doorstep. Many animals and pests will seek out your pumpkin no matter if it is carved or not. Once it is carved, the pest free-for-all begins. The best way to get rid of these unwanted guests is to toss out your pumpkin if you notice any signs of damage or extensive decay. The next best approach is to call a professional pest removal service to survey your home and surrounding landscaping to ensure that you do not have any underlying infestation issues.  

Contact Truly Nolen today to learn more about their professional pest removal services or schedule an appointment.