Unity 5.3.4 - Particles from Prefab will not instantiate.

I've been trying to figure this out for hours. When I collide with an object, it is supposed to create an instance of a prefab containing a particle system. However, no matter what I try to do, no particles will appear in either the build or during gameplay. I see them nowhere in the level or in the Hierarchy. When I print out the instantiated variable, it always tells you that it exists, despite nothing actually happening.

 public GameObject player;
 public GameObject particleFx;   
 private int count = 0;
 private AudioSource audioSource;

 void OnTriggerEnter(Collider other)
     {
         if (other.gameObject.CompareTag("Player"))
         {
             GameObject particles = Instantiate(particleFx, transform.position, transform.rotation) as GameObject;
         }
     }

What's happening and how can I fix it? I have been told to just parent a prefab of the particles to the object and turn it on or off manually.

Thanks!