Did You Inspect Your Christmas Tree For Pests?

There is something special about the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree that makes us feel like the holidays are here. The smell of a fresh Christmas tree is sweet, refreshing, and woodsy. But it can also bring bugs and other pests. Most insects that live in Christmas trees are not dangerous to people, but they can be annoying.

HERE’S A LIST OF COMMONLY FOUND INSECTS TO LOOK FOR:

1. Spiders and mites: Look for black and red dots. Usually found on trees like Douglas fir, white pine, Fraser fir, and spruce.
2. Aphids: Look for tiny white spots (adults are less than 1/4 of an inch long), black, brown, gray, yellow, light green, and sometimes even pink ones. Usually found on evergreen, balsam fir, and white fir trees.
3. Adelgids: Look for white spots that look thick and woolly. Usually lives on Douglas fir, pine, and spruce trees.
4. Sawfly: Check the needle pines for brown cocoons. Usually seen on pine trees
5. Pine Needle Scale: Look for tiny white spots on the needles and branches of pine trees. They are often found on pines, spruces, white firs, Douglas firs, and cedars.
6. Bark beetles: Look for dark brown spots inside the tree’s trunk.
7. Praying Mantises: Look for a cocoon that is light brown and pretty big, because an egg sac can hold up to 400 tiny mantids.

HOW TO KEEP INSECTS OUT OF CHRISTMAS TREES

1. Shake. Most stores have a machine you can use to shake the tree after you buy it. If your store doesn’t have a tree shaker, give your tree a good shake before you load it into your car and again before you bring it into your home. 
2. Use a flashlight to look for insects or eggs on the undersides of the tree’s branches and the trunk. If you find anything that worries you, vacuum it up and empty the vacuum outside. 
3. Leave the tree in the garage for a few days before bringing it inside.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU FIND INSECTS ON THE TREE AFTER YOU BRING IT IN?

Don’t worry, insects that live in living trees usually only live in the trees and don’t eat them. Also, these insects are not invasive and won’t damage your home. If you are having trouble getting rid of these bugs and need help, feel free to give us a call.