Halloween decorations pose serious risk to native wildlife

A kookaburra entangled in a fake Halloween web in Wahroonga NSW

Media Release - 26th October 2026

Halloween is a fun time for the whole family with the chance to get a fright and fill a bag with trick-or-treat goodies on the same night. But some Halloween decorations can pose a serious risk to native wildlife.

Realistic fake spiderwebs and fake snow can fool our native birds and they can try to collect these materials to line their nests, putting themselves and their hatchlings at risk of entanglement. Birds can also become caught in fake webs while chasing insects attracted to Halloween fairy lights.

You can help protect native animals by avoiding synthetic spiderwebs and choosing safer, natural alternatives like cotton. Nylon decorations are not only a potential hazard to wildlife but also contribute to plastic pollution.

bird in nest with halloween web bird leg damage from halloween decoration

A white-plumed honeyeater found trying to line its nest with fake Halloween spider web and being entangled.

During this year’s Halloween NSW is also experiencing a severe flying fox starvation event, with adult flying foxes and their pups being found and rescued in suburban gardens as they search for dwindling food sources. Flying foxes are also being entangled in non wildlife friendly fruit tree netting - advice here: Wildlife Friendly Netting.

FF caught in fruit tree netting

WIRES urges the public to never attempt to handle or untangle a bat themselves. Flying foxes and microbats can carry the bat lyssavirus and only trained, vaccinated wildlife rescuers should handle them. Trying to free a struggling bat or bird can also cause further damage to their wings and limbs.

If you spot a native animal caught in Halloween decorations or garden netting quietly observe it from a safe distance. If it appears weak, distressed or becomes further entangled please call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or contact your local wildlife rescue group. You can also report online at wires.org.au/report-a-rescue.

And to avoid any ongoing spooks to our wildlife please dismantle and responsibly dispose of your Halloween decorations as soon as possible after the big night.