How to Avoid Christmas Tree Pests

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Nothing truly says Christmas like bringing home a fresh tree to decorate with the family.  It’s a Christmas tradition in its own right, yet some pests may want to join in on the fun.  While this is the season of giving and sharing, pests do not apply, as you may find that there are some critters hitching a ride on your tree that you wouldn’t allow in your home under any other circumstance.  So how do you keep them out? Read on to see what kind of pests they are and how you can defend against them!

Of all the critters that may be hanging out in your tree, aphids and spiders are among the most common.  There is also the chance that you may come across a few beetles, sawfly, or even a praying mantis, but they are much more unlikely.  Indeed, it is not that common to see an increase of spiders in your home after bringing your tree in. Sure, these bugs may think your tree is a great hangout spot, but you would like to keep them outdoors—not in your home.  Well, there are a few things you can do to make sure that this doesn’t happen:

 

  • Shake the tree.  Sure, it may seem a little unproductive, but shaking the tree will have a great effect in making sure that these bugs don’t stick around for too long.  Some farms may have a mechanical shaker, but you can always do the job yourself when you bring it back. Point of note here: make sure that you shake the tree while it’s still outside, and for the best outcome, place a white sheet underneath so you can see the critters that are lurking in it!
  • Leave it in the garage.   Believe it or not, leaving the tree by itself for a few days is a great way to encourage pests to leave.  For the best results, put it in the garage, as the lack of sunlight and other pests (i.e. food sources) will cause these critters to leave the tree in search of something better.  Now while you have a pest-free tree, you may have some pests in your garage. However, this can be easily rectified by leaving your garage open for a few days.
  • Vacuum it up.  You’re going to break out the vacuum anyway to pick up all the pine needles after bringing the tree in, so do yourself a favor and vacuum up all of the pests at the same time.  Even if you cannot see them, taking the vacuum to the tree itself can rid the tree of both unwanted pests and dead pine needles…talk about a two-for-one combo!

 

You may not be able to snag a pest-free tree, but you can sure do some small things to make sure that you still have a pest-free home even after you bring the tree in.  Like we said, Christmas is a wonderful time of year, and you don’t have time to deal with pests.

As always, feel free to give us a call if you ever need some more advice!

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