Halloween is right around the corner, which means you’re probably gearing up to carve a jack-o-lantern. Or, like me, you did it last weekend, and now you’re biting your nails wondering if it’s going to last until the big day.
That’s because you, also like me, probably have a yard overrun with squirrels. They’ve been fighting for a taste of your garden all summer, and you swear you’ve spotted them eyeing the jack-o-lantern on your porch, looking to take one more bite out of your dreams before winter.
To make matters worse, the elements are probably also hitting your poor little pumpkin, filling it up with rain and exploding it into fungal blooms. Luckily, there’s a simple item you can use to drive away the rodents, and also tamp down the mold.
Why Peppermint is the Perfect Pumpkin Protector
Enter peppermint essential oil. Peppermint oil is perfect because it addresses both problems that befall decorative pumpkins: rodents and decay. If you’re an aromatherapy fan, you may already have it in your arsenal. If not, you can pick it up on Amazon.
Rodents have incredibly sensitive noses, and peppermint, in case you haven’t noticed, has a really strong smell to it. But while we like the scent, rodents find it overwhelming. If your jack-o-lantern is giving off that strong menthol smell, squirrels won’t want to go anywhere near it, let alone munch on it.
On top of that, peppermint oil actually has minor antifungal and antibacterial properties. This, especially if you pair it with another natural protectant, will keep your Halloween pumpkin looking fresh far longer than if you just leave it to nature.
How to Make DIY Peppermint Spray for Pumpkins
Don’t spray undiluted peppermint essential oil on your pumpkin. For one thing, it’ll get expensive fast! For another, there’s a chance it could discolor the skin of the pumpkin. Instead, mix it up following this recipe.
- 1 cup water
- 15 drops peppermint essential oil
- 1 tsp dish soap
Mix it all up in a spray bottle like this on on Amazon. Don’t skip out on the dish soap! This acts as an emulsifier, meaning it allows the oil and water to mix together. Leave it out, and you’ll be stuck with globs of oil floating on the top of your water.
Make sure you’ve got peppermint essential oil and not peppermint extract, which is for cooking.
Shake it up vigorously before each use.
How to Apply Peppermint Essential Oil Spray to Pumpkins
If Your Pumpkin is Uncarved
- Hold the bottle several inches away from the surface and coat it evenly.
- Go back and spray again around the stem and the base. These are weak spots where critters are more likely to sniff around.
If Your Pumpkin is Carved
- Spray the outside of the pumpkin like you would if it were uncarved.
- Lightly spray the entire interior. Don’t skip the bottom of the lid!
- Spray along all carved edges. If it’s exposed flesh, it needs a coat.
- Let the pumpkin air dry for at least 10 minutes before replacing the lid or putting a light inside.
The peppermint smell will naturally fade over time. To keep your pumpkin protected, re-apply the oil solution every few days, or immediately after rain.
Keep It Natural
A lot of sources recommend soaking or spraying your jack-o-lantern in bleach. Don’t do this! Bleach is extremely harmful to wildlife. Even if you don’t have critters chewing on your pumpkin now, eventually it will end up in the compost or as a snack for local animals.
If you want an extra layer of protection against fungus and mold, disinfect your pumpkin with white vinegar, which you can get on Amazon or your local grocery store. Mix up a solution of one part vinegar with three parts water and spray it over all the surfaces (inside and out) of your jack-o-lantern. (If you haven’t carved your pumpkin, just spray it on the outside). This will work with the peppermint to seriously inhibit the growth of microbes on your pumpkin.
