What animals eat Pumpkins? (10+ Ways to keep them away)

Before I started growing pumpkins, I was aware that they were beloved by humans but also by deer. I was worried that some animals might eat my pumpkins, so I took the time to learn what are the animals how to love pumpkins, and how to protect my garden from these animals before planting. And guess what? I succeeded and now I’m enjoying my homegrown pumpkins.

I believe it’s important to share this knowledge rather than keeping it to myself, so I want to share the list of the animals that eat pumpkins and the steps you can take if you’re also concerned about pumpkins getting damaged.

In this informative guide, I’ve outlined in detail over 11 animals and tested methods to keep them away from your pumpkins. If you still have any doubts, feel free to ask me in the comment section below.

Quick takeaways:

• There are numerous animals that tend to eat pumpkins such as rabbits, mice, groundhogs, birds, deer, and many more explained below.
• There are some ways that can help you in keeping them away such as making use of fences, repellent sprays, cayenne pepper, etc.
• Being an edible thing, a pumpkin obviously would be attacked by animals if kept outside whether with the plants growing or jack-o-lanterns making the space look beautiful already.
• They are available in many types like kabocha squash plants and can be grown with many companion plants like Nasturtiums, Radishes, Lavender, Tomatoes, etc.

What animals eat pumpkins?

1. Chipmunks

Chipmunks are cute but I would never like it if they make some chewing spots on the pumpkins. The chipmunks usually like to eat pumpkin seeds and also eat little pumpkins.

They just chew off the pieces from the pumpkins and make weirdly-looking bites on the pumpkin. 

2. Deers

Deers usually in the fall season are seen eating the pumpkin fruits, they rip them off and eat the pumpkins, otherwise, they usually love the leaves of pumpkin plants when the fruits have not appeared. They create a huge mess when they start eating the pumpkins.

3. Squirrels

The squirrels have seen your pumpkins outside, there are chances they will visit by the night and munch on these. The squirrels in winter get to eat these pumpkins.

Though the squirrels are the notorious ones for eating pumpkins, they take away the seeds and love the seeds. 

4. Birds

The break-off pumpkins are also eaten by the birds afterward and create more mess than before. The birds usually eat pumpkin seeds and cannot deny coming near the pumpkins. 

5. Rabbits

Rabbits simply love the flesh of pumpkins and can’t stay away from attacking the pumpkin fruits. They get many benefits from pumpkins too.

A yummy and healthy option for the rabbits but scary for you. Right!? Read below on how to keep them away.

6. Marmota Sps.

The Marmota species especially Marmota monax are the rodents that are attracted to the sweet flesh of pumpkins and destroy them creating a mess of seeds.

Just not this, they eat parts of pumpkin plants, so Voila! Your pumpkin plants are also in danger. It’s important to keep an eye on them and read for other measures below. 

7. Chickens

Chicken with their hard beak make holes in the pumpkins and so as they eat these fruits they are useless for eating or even decorating purposes for Halloween. 

8. Cow

Cows on the farm if they see pumpkins will go to eat the pumpkins.

9. Livestock 

The livestock can also be an issue as they will eat the pumpkins that are kept outside for some kind of reason. 

10. Ground moles

The ground moles eat the pumpkins and seeds by creating holes and getting inside the fruits.

11. Mice 

Again mice love to eat pumpkins if they see them in their vicinity and make holes in the pumpkin fruits. 

How to keep animals away from pumpkins?

1. Netting

The proper netting can prevent many animals from coming near the pumpkins and destroying them. The net should be made of a square or rectangular shape with the top covered.

The nets keep the squirrels, deer, and birds away. The net should not have big holes or columns that animals will cross easily. The net should provide good sunlight and aeration to the plants.

2. Motion-activated sprinkler

Some animals like deer are sensitive to quick movements and even multiple motions. The motion-activated sprinkler senses the animals moving near the desired plants and makes a loud noise so that the animals get scared and move away as quickly as possible from your garden or the fruit. 

3. Repellent sprays

The repellent sprays work best to keep pumpkin-loving animals like squirrels, deer, and strong-smelling animals away from them. 

The sprays are quite smelly like rotten eggs, garlic, cloves, etc. The pungent smells also keep the animals away from feeding on the planets and fruits.

4. Cayenne pepper spray

The Cayenne pepper spray is another option to repel the squirrels away from the pumpkins. The hot sauce can also be used to defend the pumpkins from being eaten by these little cute monsters.

The spray can be sprayed on the surface of the pumpkins or hot sauce can be polished on the outer layer of pumpkins, the squirrels and chipmunks will stay away from them. 

5. Planting beneficial plants with pumpkin 

This is called companion planting, where you plant a type of plant near the main plant that will enhance the growth, and fruit quality and deter many harmful pests and animals away from the main plant.

The pumpkins can be grown with plants like aromatic herbs, radishes, legumes, etc. 

6. Fencing

The tall fences of about 7-8 feet tall will be a great barrier for the short as well as tall animals and even avoid the animals from jumping the fences. You will have to worry less about the growth of plants as they will grow uninterrupted. 

7. Using soap 

The spring soap of using stockings with soap in it also gives them the sensation of something related to predation or a gross smell to scare them. They will stay away from the pumpkins or the plants.

You can hang the stocking nearby to the plant or spots where you have kept the pumpkins to release such smell and keep the squirrels, deer, and rodents away. 

8. Pet hair 

One of the reasons for keeping pets in the house or backyard is that the pets keep such invaders and munchers away from the target.

You can also use the collected old pet hair on the pumpkins so that they appear as if the pet is sitting, and stay from the plants or even the pumpkins.

The dog’s hair is the best option as dogs run behind most animals like squirrels, chipmunks, mice, birds, etc. 

9. Strawman

The strawman or scarecrow is also a great option if you are up to keep the birds, rodents, etc. The scarecrow will make a shadow like that of man and the animals will sense someone is standing near the fruit plant.

This option is suitable for a limited time until the animals raise that theta is fake. The strawman also can be sprayed with false-smelling sprays. 

Wrapping up the context

We hope you like this article and all the information to keep the animals away and have understood what animals you are intimidated need to beware of. Stay cautious and also use the ways to get rid of them that are mentioned just below. Happy Halloween and happy planting! 

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