Households are being warned not to put pumpkins outside their house this week because of the risk it poses to endangered wildlife. Spooky season is upon us and Halloween is just days away, this year landing on Friday, October 31.
And that means many households up and down the country will be busy putting up decorations, carving pumpkins and picking out costumes, especially if they have young children who want to go trick or treating. But putting a pumpkin outside can have devastating consequences for wildlife, experts at Arbtech said. They warned that both pumpkins and other decorations like spider webs can end up killing animals, with pumpkins a particular danger for hedgehogs.
If eaten, pumpkins can also cause a range of issues for common garden visitors like hedgehogs, such as severe diarrhoea, dehydration, and even death.
With hibernation season just around the corner after Halloween, hedgehogs cannot afford to lose any weight through illness if they are to survive the winter.
Hedgehogs are on the endangered list in the UK, with their population falling from 30 million in the 1950s to an estimated one million or less today. Climate change, habitat loss, and changes in garden design have all contributed to their rapid decline.
The experts said fake spider webs are also “particularly concerning danger”, as birds and bats can become easily tangled, with the struggle to escape leading to injury or death from exhaustion, broken bones, or strangulation.
Unnatural flashing lights can even confuse wildlife and disorient them from their surroundings – making them more vulnerable to predators and less likely to locate their food sources.
A spokesperson for Arbtech said: “Halloween is a time for fun, and decorations may seem harmless, but it’s important to remember the potentially critical effects they have on local wildlife.
“Fake spider webs, carved pumpkins, and spooky lighting may help create an eerie atmosphere in your garden, but they create unnecessary risks for birds, hedgehogs, and other wildlife.
“That’s not to say you can’t enjoy a Halloween display, but consider looking at wildlife-friendly alternatives instead. Just a few simple swaps could save the lives of birds and hedgehogs in your garden.
“Keep potentially harmful items indoors or as part of a window display, and opt for warm-coloured LED lights instead of bright, flashing ones. This way you can still create a festive atmosphere all while keeping wildlife safe.”
