Nothing says “Christmas” quite like a freshly-cut Christmas tree. They are so beautiful and fill your home with a lovely aroma. But regardless of where the tree was grown, chances are good some small pests and insects are living in it. Unless you take precautions, they’ll come inside along with your beautiful tree!
We have first-hand experience in this area! I remember one year, early in our marriage, when we found a really nice tree that seemed so perfect. We took the usual precautions, such as having the tree shaken before we drove home, so we didn’t expect any problems.
The next morning our kids excitedly woke us saying wasps were buzzing around the house! It was like a scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation! Pest control experts that we are, we made short work of the invaders, then found their hidden nest and took it outside. The situation could have been worse, but this is one memory none of us will ever forget!
That experience made us even more diligent when setting up our Christmas trees. We inspect every tree closely before taking it to be shaken. We’ve uncovered wasp’s nests, bird’s nests, and beetles, but we never know what we’ll find from year to year!
The key is to look closely in the very beginning of your search. Besides nests, birds, and even small mammals, here’s a short list of common insects you should look for…
Aphids are so tiny you’ll have a hard time seeing them. They are inactive in winter. Aphids feed only on certain plants. They will not eat your houseplants. Aphids are most often found on Evergreen, Balsam Fir and Spruce trees. Look for them on the lower boughs.
Bark beetles are hard-bodied, red, black and brown bugs that are about the size of a grain of rice. They create small holes and sawdust trails on the trunk of the tree and are common on Monterey Pines, White Fir, and Junipers.
Mites are not a threat to people or animals, but they can cause needles to drop prematurely, and make small, red stains on ornaments or carpets. They feed on Spruce trees, White Pines, Douglas and Fraser Firs.
Praying mantises can be found on any type of Christmas tree. They are about the size of a walnut and are light tan. They swarm over the tree in search of food.
Picking out a tree can be a lot of fun, and a great way to make happy memories. I don’t want to discourage you from choosing a live tree if that’s your preference. But, to save yourself time and aggravation, remember to take a few simple precautions including:
- At the lot, inspect your tree thoroughly before having it shaken. You’ll be surprised what’s living among the branches!
- Always have the tree shaken before you take it home!
- It’s a good idea to put the tree in your garage a day or two, just in case something escaped the first two steps.
- Finally, if a pest manages to come indoors, take care of the problem immediately!
We hope no one has a Christmas tree mishap like ours. But if you do…and you need help recovering from it…KC Pest Control is here to help restore your happy holiday spirit! Give us a call!
