Wildlife Friendly Halloween Ideas
Halloween is the time of year when pumpkins, ghouls, and trick-or-treaters wearing Halloween costumes fill the streets. From pumpkin carving to spooky decorations, it’s a season filled with fun, food, and creativity. Unfortunately, some traditions and decorations can have unintended consequences for wildlife, pets, and even other animals in our neighbourhoods.
This year, we’re encouraging people to celebrate the spooky season in a way that is safe for the creatures around us, whilst still having Halloween fun with friends and family. By choosing sustainable materials, reducing plastic waste, and decorating with natural materials, we can protect wildlife and still enjoy all the thrills of October.
Avoid Leaving Rotting Pumpkins Out
On Halloween night, carved pumpkins glowing like jack-o’-lanterns are quite a sight. But once the spooky celebrations are over and they’re left outside to decompose, pumpkin leftovers can become harmful to wild animals.
Wildlife such as hedgehogs, foxes, and birds may be tempted to eat them, but once the flesh goes mouldy, it can cause stomach upsets and illness. Pumpkins left in the yard can also attract other animals and spread disease.
Instead, pumpkin seeds and flesh can be reused to cook a tasty soup or roasted for a snack. Alternatively, chop your pumpkin into small pieces and compost it so it’s properly disposed of and returned to nature.
Don’t Use Spider Webbing
Every year, houses and trees are filled with stretchy fake spider webs. While these decorations look spooky, they can be dangerous for wildlife. Birds, hedgehogs, insects, and even bats can easily become trapped, which may lead to injury or death.
If you want to decorate your garden or door, opt for creative Halloween activities using natural materials instead, like dried leaves, wood, or reusable fabric bunting. Not only will your decorations stay safe for wildlife, but they’ll also reduce plastic pollution year round.
Avoid Flashing Lights
Flashing lights, skeleton figures that scream, and sound-effect decorations are fun for kids and add to the scare factor, but they can disrupt the natural behaviour of nocturnal animals such as owls, bats, and even black cats roaming the night. These creatures rely on darkness and quiet to hunt, navigate, and stay safe.
Instead of using harsh, flashing lamps, choose softer lighting like LED candles, jar lanterns, or solar fairy lights. They still give your house a spooky glow without harming wildlife or disturbing other animals.
Wildlife Friendly Halloween Swaps
The good news is: you don’t have to abandon all the Halloween fun to keep wildlife safe. With a few thoughtful swaps, you can still enjoy spooky celebrations while avoiding dangerous decorations and plastic waste.
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Try using biodegradable or reusable decorations, cloth bunting, carved gourds, dried leaves, or sustainable materials from nature.
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Bring decorations indoors after trick-or-treat so curious creatures don’t get tangled or harmed.
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Instead of leaving carved pumpkins to rot, compost or repurpose into tasty pumpkin-based dishes, or garden compost.
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Swap loud sound effects and flashing lights for quieter, softer lighting that’s safe for wildlife.
These small changes mean families can stay safe, decorate their homes, and have fun while protecting birds, bats, and other animals in the garden.
DIY Halloween Decorations
Making your own decorations can be a fun Halloween activity for kids, friends, and family, and it helps cut down on plastic pollution. Here are some creative, wildlife-friendly ideas:
Jar Lanterns
Save old jam jars, paint them with ghosts, witches, or bats, and add a tea light or LED candle for a spooky glow.
Leaf Garlands
Collect colourful autumn leaves from trees, press them flat, and string them together with twine to hang across your door, yard, or windows.
Cardboard Bats & Ghosts
Cut bats, skeletons, or ghost shapes from cardboard boxes, decorate them with non-toxic paint, and hang them around your house or garden.
Pumpkin Alternatives
Instead of carving pumpkins (which shortens their life), try painting fun faces on whole pumpkins. This way, they last longer and can still be cooked, composted, or eaten after October ends.
