The holidays are a time for family, friends, and, of course, Christmas trees. But if you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about the pests that could be living in your tree.
In this article, we’ll provide tips on how to get rid of six common pests that can live in your Christmas tree: spiders, ants, bees, wasps, moths, and beetles.
Types of Christmas Tree Bugs
Your Christmas tree may include insects, bugs, or rodents. Learn about Christmas tree bugs.
Spiders
Spiders are predators of insects and can be found on all parts of the Christmas tree. There are a variety of spiders that can be found in Christmas trees. Some, like the American house spider, can survive in an indoor environment and will pose a threat to people and pets.
Others, like the cross spider, will die shortly after being introduced to an indoor environment. It is essential to be aware of these threats and take steps to get rid of any crawlers that may be living in your tree.
In addition, Christmas trees can provide the perfect environment for spiders to thrive. Not only do they offer plenty of places for them to hide, but the warm temperatures inside a house can help them hatch and grow quickly.
If you have spiders in your Christmas tree, it is important to take action right away. The best method to eliminate them is by using a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment.
Aphids
Aphids are small crawling insects that feed on Christmas tree sap. They can be a nuisance and can cause damage to the tree if left untreated.
They are small, brown, black, red, or green in color, and do not bite humans or carry diseases. While they are not quite harmful to humans, they can cause damage to plants by sucking sap from the leaves.
They can cause damage to the tree by sucking sap from the branches and leaves. If you find aphids on your tree, you will need to take steps to get rid of them.
Adelgids
Adelgids are small, yellow, or purple insects that feed on sap and secrete a cottony wax substance. They can be found on all types of Christmas trees but are more common in fir and spruce trees.
While they don’t pose a major health risk to humans, they can cause damage to the tree by sucking out sap and secreting a sticky wax that coats the needles and branches.
They are sedentary, meaning they do not leave their host and can cause significant damage to the tree. If you notice adelgids on your Christmas tree, it is important to take action quickly to get rid of them.
They are easy to spot because they produce a wool-like wax that looks like snow sprinkled on the tree’s buds and needle bases.
If you have an adelgid infestation, there are several things you can do to get rid of them, including using horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Bark lice
Bark lice are small, winged insects that feed on the sap and other organisms found in the bark and leaves of Christmas trees.
They can result in damage to the tree by sucking out the sap and can also contaminate food products with their droppings.
They are called so because they reside on the bark of trees. Bark lice do not damage conifers and, in fact, benefit the tree by feeding on fungi, pollen, algae, and dead insects.
While they may be unsightly and can cause allergic reactions in some people, they generally do not pose a threat to either people or trees.
Bark Beetles
Bark beetles are a type of pest that feeds on stressed, dying, and dead trees. They are not damaging to indoor furniture as they thrive on wood with high moisture content.
Praying Mantises
Mantises are green, leaping bugs that are similar to grasshoppers. They can be up to 3.5 inches long and have a triangular head with large eyes.
They are born predators and eat other insects, so they can be beneficial in gardens. However, they can also be pests when they invade homes in large numbers.
They are harmless to Christmas trees and can actually be beneficial in controlling other pests.
They are brown and have frothy egg masses that attach to conifer twigs and branches. If these eggs hatch, the praying mantises will feed on other insects that live in the tree.
How to get rid of 6 common pests that live in your Christmas tree
Bugs die rapidly once the Christmas tree is inside owing to dry circumstances. Follow these ways to eliminate these pests.
Shake It Out
Once you have brought your tree inside, the next step is to get rid of any pests that may be living in it. One way to do this is by shaking the tree vigorously. You can also use a tree shaker or leaf blower to remove bugs.
Inspect and Check It Out
It is important to inspect and check the Christmas tree for bugs before bringing it inside. Some common pests that can live in a Christmas tree are spiders, beetles, moths, and aphids. If any pests are found, they can be removed with a vacuum or by spraying them with insecticide.
One of the best methodologies to prevent pests from taking up residence in your Christmas tree is to ensure that it is in its entirety dry before you store it.
This means letting it air out for a few days and then drying it off thoroughly. You can bring in use a hairdryer on the lowest setting or even set it outdoors in the cold to help speed up the process.
Use Vacuum Cleaner
Christmas trees can be a breeding ground for different types of bugs. In order to eliminate them, you can use a vacuum cleaner. Be sure to empty the vacuum cleaner bag or canister after you are done so that the bugs do not escape and re-infest your tree.
Tips for Avoid Bugs on Indoor Christmas Trees
Here are some measures to prevent pest-infested Christmas trees:
Routine Check
Christmas trees can be an ideal place for a variety of pests, including spiders, ants, and beetles. It is important to inspect the tree for bugs and insects before bringing it inside and setting it up.
In order to keep the tree looking good, you will need to perform routine maintenance, including checking for bugs and spraying the tree with an insecticide.
Vigorous Shaking
To eliminate bugs that live in your Christmas tree, you need to shake the tree vigorously. This will dislodge the bugs and send them flying. Make sure to do this outside, so they don’t end up in your house.
Careful Examination and Pruning
When selecting a Christmas tree, it is important to be aware of the potential for bird nests or egg cases. If you find any branches or twigs with bird nests or egg cases, be sure to prune them off. This will assist in preventing any unwanted pests from taking up residence in your tree.
Daily Vacuuming
Daily vacuuming is an important part of taking care of your Christmas tree. It will remove stray needles that fall from the tree and can help keep your floor clean.
Make sure to empty the canister and discard the vacuum bag once the holiday season is over so that any bugs or pests do not spread to other areas of your home.
Isolating Before Bringing Into Your Home
Christmas trees can often come with pests like spiders, mites, and beetles. In order to avoid bringing these pests into your home, it is important to store the tree in an isolated area such as a garage.
Additionally, you should air out your tree before bringing it inside your home. This will help eliminate any pests or eggs that may be on the tree.
Spraying Cold Water
Aphids can be removed easily by spraying cold water on them. If they are not killed by the cold water, then neem oil can be sprayed to kill any remaining bugs.
Summary
Christmas tree pests can be a nuisance, but they are not harmful to humans or pets. All species of insects that can be present on Christmas trees are not harmful. The most common pests are spiders, aphids, adelgids, bark lice, bark beetles, praying mantises, and scales.
Before bringing your trimmed Christmas tree inside, give it a vigorous shake to get rid of any insects or other pests that may be on it. In order to keep pest populations on conifer trees under control, several chemicals, including insecticides and miticides, are applied.