Jack o’ lanterns originated as a way to scare off evil spirits, but if you aren’t careful, this fun halloween tradition can attract pests. Here are a few tricks to keep those pumpkin loving pests at bay.
-The cleaner the inside, the better. The pulp inside the pumpkin is the most attractive part for pests, so the more you can remove, the less desirable it will be.
-Treat the outside with lemon juice to prevent rotting. The acid in the lemon juice helps maintain the color, delays rotting and keeps insects away by preventing oxygen from interacting with enzymes in the pumpkin. You can also use vaseline or vegetable oil to create a protective barrier.
-Spray the inside with bleach water. Spraying the inside of your jack-o-lantern with a solution of one teaspoon of bleach to one gallon of water can provide a few benefits. It will prevent many bugs from crawling around inside, and also delays rotting, and prevents mold growth.
-Light a citronella candle. Light can attract insects, so using a citronella candle inside is a good alternative to other light sources. But keep one thing in mind – candles of any kind can shorten the life of a pumpkin by heating up the inside.
-Keep the jack o’ lantern out of the sun. Sun exposure will speed up the decomposition process of the pumpkin once you cut into it. Avoid direct sunlight whenever possible
The experts at Rove know how to help with all your tricky pest problems! Reach out for a free estimate today!
