Hey everyone,
We are officially in the heart of “Spooky Season.” The jack-o’-lanterns are appearing on porches, the costumes are being planned, and the fake cobwebs are being stretched over hedges. It’s a fun time of year to embrace the eerie side of things.
But as we deck out our homes for Halloween, it’s worth remembering that for our local wildlife, some of our decorations can be truly terrifying—and not in a fun way.
This mid-October, let’s talk about how to keep the “trick-or-treat” spirit alive without playing tricks on the animals who share our neighbourhoods.
1. The Trouble with Fake Webs
Those stretchy, artificial spider webs look great for a haunted house vibe, but they are a serious hazard for wildlife. To a bird, a bat, or a large insect, those strong synthetic fibers are invisible traps. Every year, wildlife rehabilitation centres receive patients—especially small birds like chickadees and hummingbirds—that have become hopelessly entangled in fake webs, leading to injury or exhaustion.
- The Fix: Skip the synthetic webs. If you want a spooky vibe, use natural materials like twigs or dried leaves, or focus on lighting and sound effects instead.
2. Pumpkins: Treat or Trap?
A carved pumpkin is a Halloween staple, but to a hungry deer, raccoon, or even a bear, it’s just a free snack sitting on your doorstep.
- Don’t Bleach: You might see internet hacks suggesting you soak your pumpkin in bleach to make it last longer. Please don’t do this. If an animal eats a bleached pumpkin, it can be fatal. If you need to preserve it, try a natural solution like vinegar and water.
- The Timing Matters: If you live in an area with bears or high deer activity, wait until Halloween night to put your pumpkins outside. Leaving them out for weeks is an invitation for wildlife to come closer to your home than is safe for anyone.
3. Re-Thinking the “Spooky” Reputation
October is also the perfect time to show a little love to the animals we usually associate with fear: bats and spiders.
- Bats: Far from being scary, bats are our best natural pest control, eating thousands of mosquitoes in a single night.
- Spiders: As the weather cools, you might see more spiders indoors. They are harmless houseguests that help keep other insect populations in check.
Instead of fearing them, let’s appreciate them as the “silent guardians” of our gardens and homes.
Enjoy the festivities, eat plenty of candy, and let’s keep the scares safe for everyone!
Happy Halloween planning!