Jack-O-Lanterns Don’t Scare Arizona Wildlife! Are You Inviting Javelina to Your Neighborhood?

Would You Invite a Javelina to Your Halloween Party?

There's nothing like the Halloween tradition of choosing a pumpkin to get into the spirit of fall. You take your carefully selected gourd home, where you and the kids work together to carve it into a scary jack-o-lantern.

That should chase off all those ghosts and goblins! It's all part of the fun.

Before you prop your artistically carved jack-o-lantern up on your porch, consider this: are you luring uninvited guests into your neighborhood?

Wildlife Who Want to Snack on Your Pumpkins

Javelina and other wildlife are always on the move for a tasty treat. If you're leaving pumpkins and other edibles around your property, you're creating quick and easy meals for wildlife.

That innocent gourd could be enticing wildlife into your space for a quick snack. Some of the critters who might RSVP include:

• Javelina
• Coyotes
• Deer
• Bears

How to Prevent Wildlife from Dining on Your Halloween Decorations

That’s why officials with Arizona Fish and Game advise you to make sure your pumpkins are displayed out of reach of animals.

"Make sure that pumpkins and other seasonal edibles are displayed high enough off the ground so wildlife can’t reach them", Arizona Game and Fish advises.

If you do put your edible decorations outside, be sure to put them up on a rock wall or a ledge, where animals won't easily reach them.

A Better Option: How to Keep Your Family Safe this Halloween

You really don't want javelina, coyotes, deer, or even bears stopping by to help themselves to the pumpkins and other vegetables in your yard.

They'll tell their friends and that'll attract even more wildlife to come party in your neighborhood. This could create conflicts with humans. And not just that nosy neighbor who's always in your business.

You wouldn't want your children accidentally crossing paths with a hungry javelina or coyote. To keep everyone safe, consider displaying live pumpkins inside, and opt for artificial pumpkins outdoors.

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