*Update, Nov. 6- Our displays look fresh and beautiful! Nearly every one of our clients asked to keep their display through Thanksgiving. And they would have made it, until... Mother Nature. This Sunday and Monday, lows are expected in the mid-20s. Once the pumpkins freeze, the thaw does them in and they'll turn to mush. With temperatures rising above freezing next week, we have no choice but to pick them up and deliver to the farm before it's too late. (Also, my team is not going to be shoveling tons - literally tons- of pumpkin slop off porches and bringing it to a commercial composter.) A couple enthusiastic clients will take their most special pumpkins inside until the freeze is gone. (We love these clients!) And then they'll be fine through Thanksgiving. This Is The Way. The others... we're starting pick and farm deliveries tomorrow.

*Update! It's the week of Halloween and after three weeks-ish, about .01% of pumpkins have nibbles. That's 1 pumpkin at each of a very few homes. At those very few homes, the squirrels have targeted one plain orange pumpkin, so I've moved that pump into the bushes. Let them have it and consider it a "squirrel sacrifice." Most homes have no nibbles. My spray service works!

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Critter & Weather Protection

How Luxe Pumpkins Stay Beautiful All Season Long

Squirrels are the ninjas of the suburbs... quick, curious and endlessly determined. When you purchase a Luxe Pumpkins display, we provide guidance on dog-safe deterrents that can help discourage critters from exploring your pumpkins.

Squirrel Prevention & Safe Sprays

Dog-safe deterrent tips

We offer suggestions for gentle deterrents that are safe for pets but can be effective against curious squirrels.

About hairspray (The Aqua Net Pumpkin)

The strongest at-home method is hairspray, especially Aqua Net. It creates a light protective coating that many homeowners use to discourage nibbling.
However:

If you spray your pumpkins with hairspray or any chemical sealant, Luxe Pumpkins cannot collect them at the end of the season.
These pumpkins are no longer safe for the farm animals we donate them to after Halloween.

If you plan to dispose of pumpkins yourself, feel free to spray. Chemically coated pumpkins often last beautifully well into Thanksgiving.

Responsible disposal

If you choose to treat your pumpkins with chemicals, we recommend bringing them to a community Pumpkin Smash event for responsible composting.

Weather Awareness & Pumpkin Longevity

Heat & heavy rain

Unusually hot October days or extended rain can shorten the lifespan of pumpkins. We source the freshest, most resilient varieties available, but temperature and moisture ultimately affect longevity.

Mother Nature’s role

While we design and guide with best practices, Luxe Pumpkins cannot guarantee against weather-related changes. Fall weather in Chicagoland is unpredictable, and Mother Nature always has the final say.

We’re Here to Guide You

From sourcing to styling to end-of-season removal, we care deeply about helping your pumpkins stay beautiful for as long as possible. If you ever have questions about critters or weather, we’re happy to assist.

Our owner talked about the battle with critters during her appearance on WGN TV. You can view that here.