Posted on Thursday 30th October 2025
Discarded pumpkins picked up by rangers at Cannock Chase Country Park.
With Halloween creeping up, Staffordshire’s countryside teams are reminding residents that leaving pumpkins in parks for the wildlife is more trick than treat for them.
Staffordshire County Council’s rangers have, over the years, seen a rise in people disposing of their Halloween pumpkins in country parks once they’ve finished with them, believing that they will naturally degrade and provide food for the animals.
To squash these rumours, the county council wants to let people know that this well-meaning act has more frightful consequences for wildlife and park safety.
Pumpkins are not a natural part of the diet for woodland or heathland animals and eating them can make creatures like deer, hedgehogs and badgers feel rather ghastly – causing digestive problems and spreading disease. Any leftover decorations or tealights also pose serious risks if swallowed by curious wildlife.
As pumpkins take a while to break down, they can haunt country parks for a long time, upsetting delicate woodland ecosystems and having a grave effect on plants, fungi and the soil.
What’s more, discarded pumpkins are often left to rot on pathways, turning them into slippery hazards for unsuspecting walkers - a real Halloween horror story for visitors trying to enjoy the countryside safely.
Residents are urged to carve out some time for extra Halloween fun instead by giving their pumpkins a second life. Whip up a devilishly good pumpkin soup or pie or pop the remains into your compost or garden waste bin.
To help people get started, Staffordshire County Council has created a handy video guide on composting for beginners. Plus, residents with a Staffordshire postcode can bag a discounted compost bin through the ‘Get Composting’ initiative — no hocus pocus required!
Hayley Coles, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, said:
“Don’t let your pumpkins come back to haunt our country parks once Halloween is over. While it might seem like a kind gesture, leaving them out can actually harm the wildlife we work so hard to protect and make paths dangerously slippery for visitors.
“Our rangers and volunteers put a lot of effort into keeping our parks safe and beautiful so we’re asking everyone to do their bit. Take your pumpkins home, compost them, or cook up something tasty instead. Thank you for helping us keep our countryside spook-free this autumn.”