MOSES LAKE – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife released a statement reminding people not to leave pumpkins out for wildlife but instead toss or compost them. 

Pumpkins are not natural food for the wildlife around Washington and painted pumpkins can be toxic. Leaving pumpkins out as a snack for wildlife can make wildlife reliant on human food, attract pests like rats, spread diseases among animals and draw large wildlife like deer and bears into urban and suburban areas. 

The WDFW said to keep both yourself and the wildlife safe by properly disposing of Halloween pumpkins. For painted pumpkins be sure to remove the skin before composting.