All of the lights are turned on and the tree is decorated. The cats haven’t broken a single bauble, and neither has the dog been allowed to drink all of the water meant for the tree. Even though they flicker, the lights are flickering. Grandma’s handmade tree skirt is starting to fill with presents. It looks like a Norman Rockwell painting in your living room. But wait…what’s that? It’s bugs! In your perfect Christmas masterpiece, there are BUGS.
Don’t get too worked up. The creatures dwelling in your Christmas tree aren’t dangerous. However, they don’t suggest you should drink eggnog together with them. To keep your actual tree pest-free, follow these suggestions from Habitat Inspections to have a worry-free holiday season.
What Are They?
Unless you’re an entomologist, you’ve probably never heard of most of these uninvited guests. The majority aren’t dangerous and don’t cause any problems. However, here are some possible intruders that you may discover on your tree:
Aphids
Although your tree will not be infested with many aphids, some of them may grow to be quite large. Some develop into larger creatures and are more noticeable. They aren’t likely to spread to other houseplants. If you crush them, they leave a crimson stain that might discolour surfaces or furniture.
Adelgids
Adelgids feed on the juices of conifers, such as pine and spruce. They may be found in groups. White, cottony tufts may be produced by adelgids on all parts of a tree. The tufts are snow-like in appearance.
Mites & Spiders
Here are some pests that have probably been mentioned to you. Mites and spiders will not attack your tree but will consume other pests living in it. These should not be confused with Spider-Man, who does whatever a spider can do. Except live in your Christmas tree.
Bark Beetles
Bark beetles drill into trees’ bark. If you notice tiny sawdust specks on your tree, it’s probably them. There’s no need to be concerned about them eating through your furniture like Swiss cheese.
Praying Mantis
The first indication that your tree has praying mantises is a slight tan egg mass about the size of a walnut. Each mass contains around 400 eggs, which will hatch after several weeks inside.
Praying mantises are not as terrifying as their name might imply. Once born, they will seek and consume other pests that may be living in your tree. They’ll also attack and consume each other if there isn’t any other food available. Isn’t it a little violent?
Remove the branch from your tree if it has an egg mass.
Psocids
Psocids are wingless (booklice) or winged (barklice). They’re small, soft-bodied insects that feed on dead insects, pollen, mould, and fungus. They are non-venomous and harmless to people, dogs, and buildings. Without water, they will perish quickly once inside your home’s dry air. In any case, the comb is not required.
Pine Needle Scale
If you notice white paint or specks on your tree needles, it’s possible that pine needle scale eggs have hatched. The eggs will hatch a few weeks after the tree is brought inside.
The eggs hatch and tiny red bugs emerge. You could even observe them on the ground or on the walls. Wipe off the tree with a wet cloth if necessary. If you’re cleaning them off other surfaces, be careful because they leave a crimson stain when killed. And no one wants their house to become a Christmas massacre site.
Get Rid of Bugs in Your Real Christmas Tree
Let the youngsters sit in the vehicle and play games on your phone when you’re at the lot and they’re bored and rushing you to choose a tree. This takes time and attention!
- Have you noticed a beautiful tree? fantastic! However, appearances aren’t everything. Examine it thoroughly. Bring a flashlight if necessary. Look into the tree and examine the trunk, branches, and needles carefully for live bugs. Do any live insects move around? Are there webs or egg sacs visible? When you return home, remove the infected branches or avoid that tree altogether.
- Shake the tree. Really get up and dance around the Christmas tree, whether you’re doing it yourself or giving it a good shake by one of the lot attendants.
- Bring it inside, but don’t bring it right away. Allow it to chill for a few days in the garage or shed. Any animals that are still alive will perish due to a lack of food.
- Shake it thoroughly before bringing it in to get rid of any freeloading insects that may have survived.
- Vacuum up any of those bugs that refuse to perish. If they don’t die after you’ve vacuumed them up, empty the canister or replace the bag and put it in a sealed bag outside in a trashcan or dumpster.