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Home Garden Pests

Aptive / Blog


HOW TO KEEP PUMPKINS FROM ROTTING

Written by Aptive Environmental May 8, 2024

Updated August 7, 2024

Nothing says fall like newly-picked pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. These festive
vegetables provide the perfect front door decor and after-school activity for
kids. Unfortunately for homeowners, though, carved pumpkins will often last
between just one to two weeks before starting to rot. A rotting pumpkin can
attract unwanted pests, like fruit flies, if left out too long. There are a few
tricks, however, to keep pumpkins from rotting. Find out why pumpkins rot and
how you can decelerate the rotting process.


WHAT CAUSES ROTTING PUMPKINS?

Like all fresh foods, pumpkins will eventually rot and decompose. Pumpkins rot
when exposed to air, through the process of oxidation, and when they lose
moisture, so these vegetables slowly begin to decay once cut from the stem. Warm
weather and extremely low temperatures can also make a rotting pumpkin worse.
This process is expedited if the pumpkin has been cut open and carved, which is
why so many jack-o-lanterns sag and start to decay just a week or two after
Halloween. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can use to keep your festive
pumpkins looking fresh for longer.


HOW TO KEEP PUMPKINS FROM ROTTING


1. Don’t cut the top off

While removing the stem is basic pumpkin carving 101, cutting off a pumpkin’s
stem causes the rest of the vegetable to lose essential nutrients that keep it
healthy. You can avoid this by cutting a hole in the back of the pumpkin and
continuing the carving process from there.

2. Clean the inside after carving

When carving the pumpkin, make sure you remove all pumpkin seeds and guts from
the vegetable, and thoroughly rinse and dry it before placing it outside. The
insides of pumpkins are very moist, which causes fungi to grow if not properly
dried off. Pumpkins can also attract unwanted pests that will feed on the
insides, causing it to decay even faster.

3. Give it a bleach bath

One bleach bath before carving and one bleach bath after carving is an effective
way to keep pumpkins from rotting. This destroys internal bacteria that
increases the likelihood the pumpkin will start to mold. For the bleach bath, a
good rule of thumb is to mix one tablespoon of bleach with every quart of water
used in the bath.

4. Add a silica packet

There’s finally a reason to put those old silica packets to use. Because silica
gels naturally remove excess moisture from their environment, keeping an opened
packet of silica gels inside a carved pumpkin will prolong its lifetime. This
trick is especially useful for homeowners living in humid climates.

5. Invest in pumpkin spray

If you plan to be doing a lot of pumpkin carving this fall, consider buying a
natural pumpkin spray. This is the quickest (and easiest!) way to slow the
pumpkin rotting process. Pumpkin sprays are a form of fungicidal and can be
ordered online or bought at a local pumpkin patch. Another effective method that
might surprise you is using hydrogen peroxide on your pumpkins. By simply
applying a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution to the carved surfaces of your
pumpkin, you can prevent microbial growth, thus slowing down the rotting
process. This method works because hydrogen peroxide acts as a disinfectant,
killing potential bacteria and fungi that contribute to decomposition. Just mix
a small amount of hydrogen peroxide with water, and gently apply it using a
spray bottle or a clean cloth. This approach can complement the aforementioned
methods, ensuring your pumpkin stays fresh and vibrant for even longer.

6. WD-40

One of the more unexpected tricks on this list, spraying a pumpkin with WD-40 is
surprisingly effective at preserving pumpkins. The ingredients in WD-40 keep
pumpkins hydrated, repel outside moisture, resist freezing temperatures, and
give pumpkins a shiny exterior. Make sure you wait at least 24 hours before
slipping a lit candle inside the pumpkin though, or else you may set your
pumpkin on fire.

7. Use petroleum jelly or vegetable oil

If you’re hesitant to use harsh chemicals on your pumpkins, petroleum jelly or
vegetable oil are good alternatives for keeping pumpkins hydrated. Spread a
layer of the jelly or oil along the carved edges of your pumpkins to prevent
them from drying out quickly. However, vegetable oil is highly flammable. If
this is the ingredient you choose to use, stick an electric candle inside your
pumpkin instead.

8. Refrigerate it

Need to keep a pumpkin fresh while you go out of town? Place your pumpkin in a
plastic bag or cover it in plastic wrap and  stick it in the refrigerator
overnight. Because pumpkins are more likely to rot in warmer temperatures, this
method can help extend the life of a pumpkin.

9. Avoid real candles

While it may feel wrong not to light your jack-o-lanterns with real candles,
even a small flame will expedite a rotting pumpkin. The heat cooks the pumpkin
from the inside and causes it to wilt faster than it would if lit by an electric
candle.

10. Don’t carve it

Of course, some homeowners prefer to keep pumpkins whole. Not carving your
pumpkins will make them last significantly longer than the alternative. If you
and your kids miss the Halloween festivities, however, pumpkin painting is a
good option that will keep pumpkins fresh and looking festive.
There’s nothing better than decorating your front porch with freshly carved
pumpkins. However, if you’re not careful, rotting pumpkins will bring unwanted
bugs and mold into your pumpkin and near your home. This Halloween, try out
these tricks to keep your pumpkins from rotting. If you do experience an influx
of bugs in or near your home, give our pest control experts a call for an
effective, professional bug control solution.




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can significantly improve your chances of winning this war? Enter: seasonal pest
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important to understand their lifecycle and behavior. In this article, we will
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Aptive is more than just pest control. When you choose Aptive, you’re choosing a
happy, healthy home. Welcome to the neighborhood.

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