Brits are being warned against discarding their used pumpkins in fields and wooded areas this Halloween, as experts raise concerns about harm to wildlife and the ecosystem.
Ecologists at Arbtech have warned against a worrying trend that recommends “recycling” pumpkins by leaving them in the countryside or woodland. Some social media posts have gained traction by advising people to leave their pumpkins out in the wild, claiming that they are “safe” for wildlife to eat. But despite these good intentions, experts stress that the advice could be misguided and that disposing of your pumpkins in this way might actually be harmful to wildlife.
Animals that are most likely to be affected by whole pumpkins being left in the wild include hedgehogs, foxes and badgers.Whilst badgers and foxes may be able to enjoy pumpkin as long as it has been cut into small pieces and safely fed to them, for hedgehogs the risks can be fatal. Hedgehogs are omnivores and eating pumpkin can cause a range of issues for them, including dehydration and diarrhea. The issue is that hedgehogs can’t digest cellulose and pumpkins are therefore a natural laxative
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. Whilst pumpkins at Halloween are a well-loved tradition, only around 20% of pumpkins are used for anything after the celebrations. As well as the harm they can cause to wildlife, when pumpkins are left in public spaces they also contribute to littering. As they rot they release unpleasant smells and become an eyesore in natural environments.
Andrew Ward from Arbtech says: “Pumpkins are not a natural food source for most wildlife and can make animals feel unwell and spread diseases. Any discarded pumpkin intended for wildlife should be cut into little pieces and left in small quantities. These should be placed on a raised platform such as a bird table so that hedgehogs are unable to access them. Most pumpkins will also have been decorated in some way, and this has the potential to become a leading cause of spreading disease amongst wildlife in the post Halloween period. If the pumpkin has contained candles then they should not be left for wildlife at all as the soot and residue from the candles may be harmful. They might also ingest foreign objects like candle holders. As well as animals, pumpkins can cause problems to the ecosystem if they are left to rot. As they decompose, they can attract pests like rats, which may carry diseases or negatively impact native wildlife.”
Arbtech goes on to add that any discarded pumpkin for wildlife should be done so safely and with precaution.
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