As summer turns into fall, taking your first sip of a pumpkin-spiced latte may be your favorite way to welcome the season. Or it could be the moment you pull a loaf of pumpkin bread from the oven that sets the mood, as it fills the house with its warm and spicy scent. It seems that quite a few animals are fond of pumpkin treats as well, and they may come into your garden or even onto your doorstep to indulge. Deer, squirrels, and chipmunks are some of the animals that are big fans of this fall delicacy, and they don’t mind indulging in what you have to offer. Whether you’re growing pumpkins in your garden or simply have a jack-o-lantern on your porch, how can you keep animals from helping themselves — the secret to keeping them away is hairspray.
Animals like to dig into the interior of the pumpkin to pull out the soft fleshy part and eat the seeds, and hairspray makes a pumpkin sticky and stiff. Squirrels in particular don’t care for anything with a sticky texture or a strong scent, and the feeling of a tacky pumpkin with a strange odor will repel them. Hairspray will also give the pumpkin a peculiar taste, which will discourage them from coming back for more.
Why animals don’t like hairspray
The key is to coat the outside of the pumpkin with hairspray so that the entire thing will be transformed into something that animals no longer care for. While this will deter them for a while, it will be necessary to reapply every one or two days, especially after it rains. An additional benefit of spraying hairspray on a pumpkin that has been carved is that it will keep the pumpkin from deteriorating so quickly, as it’s designed to combat humidity, according to Farmers’ Almanac. It’s very important to note, however, that hairspray is flammable and should never be used when there is a lit candle inside your jack-o-lantern! If you decide to use hairspray as a deterrent, set a battery-operated candle inside the pumpkin instead as a safety measure.
It’s no wonder that animals are drawn to the fall harvest on your porch. The sights and smells of pumpkins and squash are irresistible to many creatures. But by staying vigilant with your can of hairspray, you’ll be able to protect the beauty of your cornucopia from surprise visitors as you enjoy the fall season.
