Christmas is a time of year that many people look forward to. There is just something so magical about the lights, decorations, music, and more that we all get to experience at this special time of year. Every family has their own opinion on whether you should have a fake Christmas tree or a real Christmas tree in their home. If your family chooses to purchase a real Christmas tree you may have wondered if there are any types of bugs you are bringing into your home when you set up your tree. Studies show that 33 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States every year. There could be up to 25,000 bugs in a single Christmas tree. Many bugs go dormant during the winter season because of the cold weather. If bugs are in your tree when you bring it into your home the warmer temperature can cause the bugs to come back to life. There are a few bugs that are more apt to show up in your Christmas trees. Today A Five Star Termite and Pest Control wants to go over a few of them with you.
Types of Pests Found in Christmas Trees; Aphids, Bugs & More
• Aphids: The most common bug that is found in Christmas trees is aphids. Evergreen, pine, balsam fir, spruce, Fraser fir, and white fir trees are the types of trees that aphids like to live in. Aphids are small black or brown bugs. They are frequently found on the lower branches of trees. Normally when people see bugs they will squish them. When you squish aphids they leave a purple or red stain on whatever you squished them on so be careful that you don’t squish them on clothing or furniture.
• Spiders & Mites: Spiders and mites are most commonly found on Douglas fir, white pine, Fraser fir, and spruce trees. If you see tiny red and brown dots on your tree that is a sign of spiders and mites. You will want to make sure that you get rid of the spiders and mites as soon as possible because if you do not they will cause the needles on your tree to prematurely drop off of the tree. They will make small red stains on ornaments, rugs, or carpet so be careful!
• Adelgids: If you notice white blobs on your tree you probably have adelgids on your tree. They resemble a faint layer of snow on your tree. Adelgids are tiny bugs that suck the sap out of the needles on your tree. Adelgids are found in white pine, Norway spruce, and Scotch pine trees.
• Sawfly Pests: A sawfly starts in a brown cocoon that then hatches into black and yellow flies. They are found on spruce and pine trees.
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Can you avoid having bugs on your Christmas tree come into your home? We do have some tips for you. First you will want to make sure that you examine your tree before you purchase it or cut it down. If you look carefully at the tree you can see signs of bugs if there are lots of bugs on the tree. If you are cutting down your own tree you should leave it in the garage for a few days before bringing it in your home. If you purchase it from a Christmas tree lot many times they have already been sprayed with pesticides. Before you bring your tree into your home give it a good shake to get rid of any bugs that might be lingering on your tree still. If you have brought unwanted bugs into your home on accident via your Christmas tree give A Five Star Termite and Pest Control a call. We can come and treat your home and get rid of the bugs and pests so that you can enjoy your holiday season!
