Leaving carved pumpkins to rot outside homes this Halloween could attract rats and mice, with a severe infestation potentially knocking as much as 20 per cent off a property's value, according to a property expert.
Tabitha Cumming, property expert and founder of The Lease Extension Company, warned that exposed pumpkin flesh can provide a food source for rodents. She said leaving pumpkins outdoors overnight or allowing them to rot could encourage rats and mice to visit, particularly where other food sources and places to shelter are available.
Why Pumpkins Attract Rodents
"Most people wouldn't think twice about leaving a carved pumpkin outside their front door at Halloween, but what they might not realise is that they're potentially providing an easy meal for rats and mice," she explained. Ms Cumming also warned that once rodents find a reliable source of food, they may continue returning to the area.
The Royal Horticultural Society also identifies pumpkins and squash as food that rats may eat in gardens. Local council guidance warns that accessible food waste can attract rodents, recommending that household rubbish is kept in secure, lidded containers.
Potential Financial Impact
The potential financial consequences could be significant in severe cases. Ms Cumming estimates that a serious rat infestation could knock as much as 20 per cent off a home's value, potentially equating to £54,600 based on the latest average UK house price of £273,000.
However, that figure is a worst-case estimate, not a prediction of what will happen to every property with a pest problem. The actual impact on a home's value would depend on the severity of the infestation, any damage and the circumstances of a potential sale.
Damage Beyond the Garden
Rats can cause problems beyond their presence in a garden, with Ms Cumming warning they may chew electrical wiring, damage insulation and contaminate materials inside a building. Such damage could mean additional repair bills on top of the cost of professional pest control.
Homeowners can reduce the risk by clearing away loose pumpkin flesh and seeds, keeping decorations away from the house and bringing them indoors overnight where practical. Once a pumpkin begins to deteriorate, dispose of it promptly in line with local waste collection guidance, using a secure bin rather than leaving it to rot outdoors.
Ms Cumming stressed that simple precautions can help prevent an avoidable problem. Anyone who spots signs of rats around their home should consider seeking advice from their local council or a qualified pest controller.
