Crafty critters carving up jack-o'-lanterns across Canada
Meteorologist
Sunday, October 28, 2018, 6:36 PM - With Halloween only days away many Canadian homes are sporting their fall finery, from garlands of golden leaves to spooky skeletons. For many, it seems, one staple of Halloween decoration is also a battleground, where creative carvers face off.
Most of us have heard of pumpkin-smashing vandals, but what about the pumpkin-eating ones? The Weather Network's Saphia Khambalia first reported Sunday that her family's carefully carved jack-o'-lanterns are being 'touched up' by helpful neighbourhood wildlife; something that's never happened on their front porch before.
It turns out the Khambalia pumpkins aren't alone. Social media is littered with reports of munching mischief-makers and mysterious holes appearing in carefully-carved jack-o'-lanterns across North America, along with tips and tricks to keep your pumpkins safe from wayward wildlife.
Khambalia says her family has put pumpkins in the same spot every year, and they've never become 'lunch' before. So, what gives?
THINK THERE ARE MORE SQUIRRELS IN 2018? YOU'RE RIGHT
Squirrels are a familiar sight across Canada; in fact, you can find them in every province and territory. Turns out, 2018 was a banner year for the rodent population -- squirrels included. The weather this year, and last, is partly to blame for the boom. Last year saw a bumper crop of acorns, pine cones, and other squirrel foodstuffs, followed by a chilly winter with ample snow cover across much of the east; two factors biologist Sarah Haggerty told the Portland Press Herald contributed to a larger number of young squirrels thriving this year. That inflated population has also led to a dramatic increase in the number of squirrel roadkills; a number of states in New England have reported crews have been "pretty busy" cleaning up tiny carcasses this year.
Prolonged warm and dry weather across eastern Canada and the northeastern United States this summer also gave rodent populations a boost. Abundant food supplies help to speed up life cycles, according to an expert from Orkin Canada, who said we're likely to see "more litters of rodents happening during a heat wave than not." The first litter of the year is now headed out on its own, and subsequent litters will be out on their own soon. This increased competition for food, as well as a surge in the number of fuzzy feet on the move, could explain why more people are seeing pilfered pumpkins this year.
PROTECT YOUR PUMPKINS...
In addition to sharing pictures of nibbled pumpkins, people were offering up tips on keeping your jack-o'-lanterns safe from snacking squirrels, including a variety of professional solutions and potential home remedies.
Popular suggestions for those wanting a natural answer included pepper (both black and cayenne), tabasco sauce, vinegar, and garlic. One site even recommended pet hair as another scent-based repellent. Commercial animal repellents may also do the job (although stronger scents may repel human visitors, too.)
... OR LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE?
On the other side of the argument, there is a contingent out there who suggest letting the squirrels feast freely.
The National Wildlife Federation also recommends re-purposing former jack-o'-lanterns rather than tossing them in the trash on November 1st. Cutting used pumpkins into pieces to feed neighbourhood wildlife, planting pumpkin seeds to help out next year's bees, or making a 'snack-o'-lantern' bird feeder are all ways to make the most of your leftover decorations. And if you just can't bring yourself to give in to the squirrels, you can always add that mushy pumpkin to your compost pile.
Got a foolproof solution to keep those pumpkins pristine? Share it in the comments, or tweet us with the hashtag #scareyourweather to share your tips.
