Keep Pests Off Of Your Halloween Pumpkins With This Popular Household Item

While carved pumpkins are a Halloween staple, they can attract critters who see them as a delicious treat. Fortunately, there is an easy way to keep pests away with something you probably already have in your bathroom cabinet: Vaseline. Most animals do not find Vaseline appetizing and will stay far away from it. Additionally, while insects often go after pumpkins that have started to rot, this skincare staple is able to deter critters by helping to prevent your pumpkins from decaying or molding as quickly as they normally would, whether they've been carved or not.

When using Vaseline to protect your carved pumpkins, it's imperative that you don't use a real candle to illuminate them. Petroleum jelly, which is known to be flammable, could pose a fire risk if exposed to an open flame. To be safe, it's best to use battery-powered candles, flashlights, or glow sticks to light up your jack-o'-lantern.

If you're not planning to carve your pumpkins, simply coat the surface with a thin layer of Vaseline, which will also make the gourd shine. For carved pumpkins, you'll need to ensure that both the outside and inside of the gourd are covered in the jelly. When applying the Vaseline, don't forget the edges of your jack-o'-lantern's face. 

To give an extra boost of protection, in addition to the petroleum jelly, you can clean your pumpkin beforehand to help eliminate any bacteria that could cause it to start rotting. By keeping your pumpkin from going bad, it will be less likely to attract animals. A mixture of vinegar and water can be sprayed onto your gourd or applied with a cloth to help clean it. Letting your pumpkin sit in a bucket of water and ⅔ cup of bleach for a few hours will also get rid of harmful bacteria. Once your pumpkin begins to rot, it will need to be thrown away. Keep in mind that because of the oil in Vaseline, it cannot be composted and isn't environmentally friendly.