OT: Carving Pumpkins

[zappaa]

Was a big deal when I was a kid.
Every house had their Jack O Lanterns out on Halloween.
Why is it I never remember them being completely eaten by Squirrels, Chipmunks and whatever varmints out there eating mine today

 

[ScarletR97*]

Tip on Today Show yesterday was to carve from bottom instead of top to stop the varmints from eating them. Not sure if it works, will need to try next year.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Years ago DDT kept everything away from the exterior of houses, around the basement.. Some permanently!

 

[RU206]

When I was a kid we had more trees in our yard, and more than half of my block was woods. I think the squirrels had plenty to eat. Now, it seems most of the trees are knocked down and houses are everywhere.

 

[rutgersguy1_rivals]

Tip on Today Show yesterday was to carve from bottom instead of top to stop the varmints from eating them. Not sure if it works, will need to try next year.

From the bottom and put Vaseline coating on the outside of it was the suggestion. I don’t think carving from the bottom was related to keeping pests away though but more for reducing moisture loss so it lasts longer. The Vaseline was more for keeping pests away.

 

[RULoyal]

From the bottom and put Vaseline coating on the outside of it was the suggestion. I don’t think carving from the bottom was related to keeping pests away though but more for reducing moisture loss so it lasts longer. The Vaseline was more for keeping pests away.

Probably not many folks still putting candles in their jack-o-lanterns but back in the day, opening the bottom instead of the top made that much easier.

 

[angmo]

Was a big deal when I was a kid.
Every house had their Jack O Lanterns out on Halloween.
Why is it I never remember them being completely eaten by Squirrels, Chipmunks and whatever varmints out there eating mine today

Get a Rottweiler and put a pumpkin next to it.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Was a big deal when I was a kid.
Every house had their Jack O Lanterns out on Halloween.
Why is it I never remember them being completely eaten by Squirrels, Chipmunks and whatever varmints out there eating mine today

Was probably a game of numbers.. everybody had pumpkins out.. yours was not the closest to the majority of the varmints. Now people use ceramic or plastic decor if they decorate at all.

Also.. climate change = more varmints = end of the world... or at least the Jack-o-Lantern world.

 

[RUInsanityToo]

When I was a kid we had more trees in our yard, and more than half of my block was woods. I think the squirrels had plenty to eat. Now, it seems most of the trees are knocked down and houses are everywhere.

Pumpkins did not have time to get eaten by squirrels etc....mostly because they were likely either used for pumpkin pie/bread or grabbed and smashed somewhere (no Ring/Video doorbells back then).

 

[ScarletR97*]

From the bottom and put Vaseline coating on the outside of it was the suggestion. I don’t think carving from the bottom was related to keeping pests away though but more for reducing moisture loss so it lasts longer. The Vaseline was more for keeping pests away.

Was only half listening to the segment on TV so went and looked it up and you are correct about the moisture/preservation aspect of the petroleum jelly. Other suggestions are spraying with vinegar, adding some red pepper flakes inside or sprinkling in some pet fur. Other sites say add motion lights, decoys like scarecrows or squirrel feeders with more preferable snacks.

 

[Extra Point_rivals157299]

I had a problem with squirrels but I caught them all in my box trap and released them in Montclair where there was plenty of food available.

 

[LeapinLou]

When I was a kid we had more trees in our yard, and more than half of my block was woods. I think the squirrels had plenty to eat. Now, it seems most of the trees are knocked down and houses are everywhere.

Good theory. I can see that.

 

[MADHAT1]

a quick google found this:
>But by far the most popular natural deterrent of squirrels is capsaicin, which is the component found in chili peppers that make them hot and spicy. You can sprinkle red pepper flakes inside a carved pumpkin, rub bottled hot sauce on the outside, or create your own repellent spray. Simply add some crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne to a spray bottle full of water, add a few drops of dish detergent to make it sticky, and spray all over the pumpkin. (Just remember that capsaicin is also an irritant to humans, so wear gloves when you handle the pumpkin and try your best to keep it away from children!)<

 

[RU206]

Pumpkins did not have time to get eaten by squirrels etc....mostly because they were likely either used for pumpkin pie/bread or grabbed and smashed somewhere (no Ring/Video doorbells back then).

True. Back in the 80s there were kids in my neighborhood who would take the pumpkins and blow them up with M80's and other fireworks.

 

[hinson32]

Was a big deal when I was a kid.
Every house had their Jack O Lanterns out on Halloween.
Why is it I never remember them being completely eaten by Squirrels, Chipmunks and whatever varmints out there eating mine today

It all when to hell with these damm lefty woke squirrels.

 

[zappaa]

a quick google found this:
>But by far the most popular natural deterrent of squirrels is capsaicin, which is the component found in chili peppers that make them hot and spicy. You can sprinkle red pepper flakes inside a carved pumpkin, rub bottled hot sauce on the outside, or create your own repellent spray. Simply add some crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne to a spray bottle full of water, add a few drops of dish detergent to make it sticky, and spray all over the pumpkin. (Just remember that capsaicin is also an irritant to humans, so wear gloves when you handle the pumpkin and try your best to keep it away from children!)<

Was any of that necessary when you were a little kid, painting a beard on yourself with a burnt cork and tricker treating as a hobo?

 

[MADHAT1]

Was any of that necessary when you were a little kid, painting a beard on yourself with a burnt cork and tricker treating as a hobo?

The pumpkins in my neck of the woods pumpkins were an endangered species of they were outside mischief night
So the squirrels in my neighbored waited for their buffet to be served around 8-9 pm on the 30th.
Hobo outfit and worn out sheet with 2 holes for eyes were staples.
One year I was the Brooklyn Bum , brother was Casper.
Next year role changed and we noticed the little critters had cleaned up .
Hell there were very few store bought costumes walking around were I lived ,
homemade outfits was the way most went extorting candy from the neighbors.