Nothing like the smell of a freshly cut evergreen tree in your home says it is Christmas time. Let the festivities begin. It is estimated that 33 million real Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. every year. That is a lot of homes that love real over artificial trees.
Before you put that tree up in your home, consider checking it for the seven different types of bugs that could be living in it.
Aphids
They are a six-legged creature measuring one-eighth of an inch. Typically, wingless and remain on the tree throughout their lives. Once you bring the tree indoors, it mimics the conditions of springtime and their life cycle springs into action which can create a host of hatchlings.
Spiders & Mites
Commonly found on spruce, Douglas-fir, white pine and Fraser fir trees. They will show up as tiny red and brown dots. Mites can cause needles to prematurely drop. They make small red stains on ornaments or carpet. Your tree could come with an old bird’s nest in it. Remove it before coming into your home because there are a few species of bird parasites (mites) that could end up inside your house.
Adelgids
Common in scotch pine, Norway spruce, fir and white pine trees. Resembles a dusting of snow on the tree.
Sawfly
Found on pine and spruce trees. Brown cocoons that hatch black and yellow flies.
Pine Needle Scale
Commonly found on Douglas-fir, Norway spruce and scotch pine trees. They show up as white specs on the needles or branches and tiny red bugs when hatched.
Bark Beetles
Common on junipers, white fir, Monterey pines, ponderosa, coulter pines and Jeffrey pine trees. Cylindrical, hard-bodied red, brown or black bugs about the size of a grain of rice. Look for sawdust trails or small holes on trunk.
Praying Mantises
Can be on any type of tree. Light tan, walnut-sized egg mass which can contain up to 400 eggs will begin to hatch after several weeks of being indoors.
6 steps to prevent unwanted Christmas surprises
Here are some tips to make sure your home is bug free from your Christmas tree from Saferbrand.com.
- When choosing a tree, examine the undersides of branches and the trunk. Prune any branches you find with egg cases or bird nests.
- Leave the Christmas tree in your garage for a few days
- Get a white sheet and shake the tree vigorously over it to dislodge any bugs.
- Vacuum up any insects on or around the tree.
- Dust the tree with Diatomaceous Earth or spray with neem oil to kill any bugs still on the tree.
- Do not spray aerosol pesticides on the tree as aerosols are usually flammable.
Drive-Bye Exterminators offers home and commercial pest control services in Clearwater, Florida, and the surrounding areas. Family owned and operated for over 25 years, Drive-Bye Exterminators has state certified inspectors and exterminators provide roach, subterranean termite, dry wood termite, roaches, spider, ant and flea services to both commercial and residential clients. Whether a business owner needs help getting rid of a termite infestation, or a homeowner wants to rid their kitchen of ants, Drive-Bye Exterminators offers each client the same level of professionalism and excellence.
Request a FREE Pest Control or Termite Inspection today with the Professionals of Drive-Bye Exterminators. Contact Us Today at 727-787-2127.
