3 Lawn-Ruining Halloween Decorations You Should Never Use, According to an Expert

We all look forward to that time of year when we can dress up our homes and yards for Halloween and trick-or-treaters—but not at the cost of damaging your lawn. All the time and effort spent caring for it throughout the year can go to waste if you don't take these spooky decoration precautions. While not all outdoor Halloween decorations harm your lawn, there are a few to reconsider putting up this year. We got expert advice on which decorations to avoid and how to protect your lawn this spooky season.

Fog and Dry Ice Machines

No matter how undeniably eerie as adding fog or dry ice machines to your décor, it is detrimental to the health of your lawn. “The thick carbon dioxide fog produced from dry ice can not only lead to root rot or fungal growth if left on for long periods, but prolonged exposure to these cold temperatures may cause the grass to brown or even kill it,” says Georgina Read, director at Paving Superstore. 

If you can't imagine Halloween without this touch, lay a protective tarp on your grass before placing the machine down and limit how much you run the machine.

Inflatables 

If you keep inflatables up on your lawn for too long, they can kill your grass or leave dark brown spots and patches that are difficult to recover from. "The stakes or weights used to anchor them can cause additional damage to the soil, especially if driven too deep or removed carelessly," Read says.

Try placing your inflatables on a mulch bed, driveway, or patio rather than directly on your grass. Alternatively, you could put them out on your lawn just for Halloween night to avoid any possible damage to your lawn.

Heavy Decorations 

While statues like ghouls and goblins add a frightening element to your Halloween looks, they can do tremendous damage to your lawn if placed on the grass for long periods due to their heavy weight. “Not only can it compact your soil which can result in an unhealthy, patchy lawn, but it can crush grass blades, causing them to bend, weaken, and eventually die,” says Read. 

Placing the statues on the driveway or walkway of your home is the safest option for protecting your lawn while still embracing the spooky season with your statue décor.

Wildlife Concerns 

In addition to keeping your lawn healthy this spooky season, consider the effects of your decorations on the wildlife in your neighborhood. Spreading fake cobwebs in trees and bushes looks festive—but it can be detrimental to birds and other small wildlife, causing them to get stuck or injured. To avoid harming any wildlife, use your fake cobwebs as part of your indoor décor instead.