There is undoubtedly something special about the scent of a freshly cut Christmas tree that evokes the festive spirit. A fresh Christmas tree fills our home with an aroma that is sweet, invigorating, and woody. However, it can also bring with it vermin! Although the majority of insects that inhabit Christmas trees are not harmful to people, they can be a nuisance.
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF COMMONLY FOUND INSECTS:
- Spiders and Mites – Look for black and red flecks. On trees such as Douglas fir, white pine, Fraser fir, and spruce.
- Aphids – Look for white specks (adults are less than 1/8 of an inch long), black, brown, gray, yellow, pale green, and occasionally pink specks. Typically found on evergreen, balsam fir, and white fir trees.
- Adelgids – Look for white flecks that appear woolly and thick. Common on Douglas fir, pine, and spruce trees.
- Sawfly – Look for cocoons of a brown hue on needle pines. Typically observed on pine trees
- Pine Needle Scale – Look for white spots on the needles and branches of pine trees. On pines, spruces, white fir, Douglas fir, and cedars.
- Bark Beetles – Look for dark brown flecks that have burrowed into the tree’s trunk.
- Praying Mantises — Look for a cocoon that is light brown and rather large, as an egg sac can hatch up to 400 small mantids.
HOW TO PREVENT INSECTS ON CHRISTMAS TREES
- Shake. The majority of stores feature a mechanical tree shaker for use after the purchase. If your retailer does not offer a tree shaker, you should shake your tree before loading it into your vehicle and again before taking it into your home.
- Utilize a flashlight to examine the undersides of the tree’s limbs and trunk for insects or eggs.
- If you detect anything of concern, we recommend cleaning anything out and emptying the vacuum outdoors before bringing the tree inside.
WHAT HAPPENS IF INSECTS ARE FOUND ON THE TREE AFTER IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT INDOORS?
Don’t worry, insects that inhabit living trees typically do not exist apart from the tree. In addition, these insects are not invasive and will not cause damage to your property. If you find it difficult to eliminate these insects and require assistance, feel free to call us.