Like most people who celebrate Christmas, you’re probably planning on getting a Christmas tree. A freshly cut tree will look beautiful in your home, especially once it’s been nicely decorated. They also smell amazing! But here’s what you need to realise. There are usually a fair few bugs in Christmas trees.
That’s because your tree has been out in nature all year. Thousands of bugs will have made it their home. The fact is, that as beautiful as the tree looks, it’s most likely crawling with insects.
Why Are There Bugs In Christmas Trees?
Despite your best intentions, you’re probably going to be bringing home a lot more than just the Christmas tree. And yes, you might think that because it’s Winter there won’t be any bugs. You are, unfortunately, wrong.
Even though it’s Winter, bugs in Christmas trees can still be a problem. The reason why, is because these bugs usually feed off and live in these trees. So even though it’s Winter, they will still be there, it’s just that they are hibernating.
As soon as they enter into your home, they warm up. And, thinking that it’s Summer, start to wake up. Which means you could soon have an infestation on your hands.
Bugs in Christmas trees can become a problem, depending on the type and amount of insects. Many of them can cause damage to your tree, and are also capable of eating your edible decorations. Plus, they can damage presents left under the tree. These insects can be found on all parts of the tree, including the trunk, limbs and bark.
Some examples include:
• Spiders.
• Aphids.
• Beetles.
• Mites.
• Moths.
• Weevils.
• Lice.
Most of these bugs are technically harmless. And because they’ve been taken out of their natural habitat, they will actually die off reasonably fast. Usually within a few days. Also because the tree is technically dying, these bugs will quickly begin to migrate elsewhere, hopefully outside. That being said, I’m sure you’ll agree that most people would prefer not to have them in their homes at all.
In rare cases, there could also be birds and mice coming indoors along with the tree. They might not be bugs, but watch out for these!
How to deal with bugs in Christmas trees.
There are several things you can do to get rid of these bugs. Or to minimise the number that are in your tree.
First, shake the tree vigorously. This will cause most of the bugs to simply fall off. Then let the tree sit outside for at least a day or two before bringing it in for decoration.
Next, make a closer inspection using a torch. You can also brush the branches of the tree with a broom or brush. This will help to get rid of any bugs that haven’t fallen off yet.
If you have Christmas lights, then avoid using insecticide because this can pose a major fire hazard. Something else you can do is to hose the tree down with water.
What To Do Once The Tree is Indoors
Once the tree has been brought inside, keep your vacuum cleaner nozzle handy. This will be useful for cleaning up any pine needles that fall of the tree. And useful if you see any insects.
The easiest way to prevent bugs in Christmas trees is to buy your tree from a farm. Most tree farms make an effort to ensure there are no bugs on their trees. They use insecticides and also mechanical shakers. This should be enough to dislodge most of the bugs as well as their eggs, and any lose pine needles.
Some people have serious spider phobias. If you’re really concerned about this then you might be better off with a fake Christmas tree. That way you can use the tree over and over again, and won’t have to worry about bugs in Christmas trees at all.
If your tree brings in pests that lead to an infestation, contact Empire and we will help. We have plenty of reviews on CheckATrade that confirm how reliable we are. We have many years of experience in insect control throughout London and the Home Counties.
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