Christmas Trees Bring Insects Inside

Christmas is by far the most magical time of the year. This year’s snow has given the run up to Christmas a special feel. Amongst the many festivities, such as hanging decorations, you also have Christmas trees. For many families, going out and buying a Christmas tree is a yearly tradition. Unfortunately, what most people don’t understand is that this part of Christmas can actually come with its own downsides.

A good example of this is pests. Yes, what us people do not realise, is that Christmas trees can often bring insects inside. There are several reasons for this.

Why Christmas trees may bring insects inside

The problem with Christmas trees (which are mostly pine and spruce trees) is that pests often live in them. This is especially true during winter, when insects use these trees as a place to shelter. According to experts, more than 15 different insects can live in these trees. This includes things like aphids, caterpillars, mealy-bugs, weevils and beetles which could end up in you needing insect control. Mice, living outside, may also take shelter in these trees. Along with this, the tree may contain other insects like spiders and ants.

What this means is that, when you bring these trees into your house, you also bring insects inside and rodents may come indoors too. This can have an extremely negative effect on your Christmas. The last thing you want is bugs crawling all over the place on Christmas morning.

Steps to take to prevent insects coming in with the tree

So how do you solve this problem? How do you avoid a scenario where you bring insects inside? The easiest way is to use a plastic tree or buy one from a reliable source. While these trees can be pricy, they are also specially treated to prevent insects.

But what if you are not sure if the tree has insects? Well, first of all, your tree should be left outdoors for a few days. Insects can sense that the tree is dead and will probably crawl away on their own. Next, make sure to give your tree a hard shake before taking it indoors. This will help to shake off any insects which are still on the tree. Finally, you should inspect the tree with your eyes.

More than likely, there won’t be many insects on the tree. What you’re looking for instead are egg sacks. These will look like small brown bumps on the surface of the tree and may even look like pinecones. If you see anything like this, be sure to remove it. All this should ensure that you do not bring insects inside, and you can then take the tree into your home and won’t need a local exterminator. Something else to note is that you should never spray the tree with insecticide. This is highly flammable, and could lead to a fire.