Prevent Christmas Tree Insect Pests
A live Christmas tree brings excitement to any home. But what if one also brings insects that run loose among your ornaments and gifts? That’s not the kind of holiday excitement anyone wants. Many insect species feed on or settle in evergreen trees for the winter. The good news is that the insects occasionally found in Christmas trees are not typical household pests like cockroaches that can thrive indoors in winter. Christmas tree pests can’t survive in the warm and dry indoor air, so they won’t infest or damage your house. But, crawly critters in your Christmas tree are not a festive feature.
Species of Bugs Common Christmas Trees
Most Christmas trees don’t have bugs in them. But, some trees do become transportation for one or more of a variety of insects that hide in the branches and come home in your tree.
Cedar Bark Beetles
Bark beetles may be living in your cedar Christmas tree’s moist trunk, though they’re not attracted to and don’t damage furniture or other dried wood objects.
Spiders
It’s not very common, but a Christmas tree can have spiders in it. Spiders that live in trees are not typically of any types that are dangerous to people or pets, and they die from being indoors.
Mites and Parasites
A tree with a bird’s nest may be infested with mites and other parasites, and some of those might be health hazards for people. Check for nests and remove those before moving the tree inside.
Scale Insects
Aphids, pine bark adelgids, psocids, and scale insects are all very common insects that dwell in the branches of evergreen trees. They live on moisture from the tree, but they all die shortly after the tree is moved indoors.
How to Get Rid of Christmas Tree Bugs
Here are some quick and simple steps you can take to help avoid bringing outdoor insects into your home clinging to your Christmas tree and eliminate insects that do get inside with your tree.
- Examine the tree carefully at the sales lot before you buy it. Remove any bird’s nests and check for insects or signs of infestations.
- Look for small holes along the tree trunk and fine sawdust. Those may be indicators of cedar bark beetles in the tree.
- Check for a white substance on the needles and branches of your Christmas tree. This may be an indicator of adelgids, which are insects that feed on conifers.
- Christmas tree lots often have electric shaking machines that force clinging insects out of the trees. But, still, give your tree a hard shake before bringing it home.
How to Eliminate an Infestation
If you happen to discover insects in your Christmas tree, don’t worry about it. Most are not typical household pests that present health hazards or risk to your home’s structure.
- The majority of evergreen tree insects die quickly when moved inside a building.
- Giving the tree a strong shake will usually remove any remaining insects.
- If they appear on walls near your tree, just pick them up with a vacuum cleaner.
CAUTION: Don’t use spray insecticides on your Christmas tree. Aerosol sprays are extremely flammable, and the fumes may be toxic when inhaled. If you cannot eliminate an insect infestation in your Christmas tree, contact a licensed pest control professional for help.
For Quick Pest Control Services During Holidays
If you find it too difficult to eliminate an insect infestation in your Christmas tree or elsewhere in your home during the holiday season, contact Legacy Pest Control. Or, if you are having other difficulties with pests moving into your home during winter, we will provide a quick response any time you need help. Or, if you want to use preventative pest control for the winter, we can provide an assessment and solutions for any seasonal needs using material that is safe for children and pets and the indoor environment.
For a rapid response to pest control issues during the holiday season, call Legacy Pest Control at (801) 779-3131 or fill out a service request right here on our website anytime you need us.
Other Related Articles:
- 3 Reasons to Continue Pest Control Treatments in the Wintertime
- How to Prevent Winter Pests from Moving in
- How-To Prevent Winter Pests
- 5 Signs of a Winter Pest Infestation
- Put the Freeze on Winter Pests
- Do Termites Live in Winter?
- Do’s and Don’ts for Winter Pest Control
- Prevent Christmas Tree Insect Pests
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