Christmas Tree Bugs

 

Being Prepared To Handle Christmas Tree Pests

San Jose, United States - December 5, 2022 /Habitat Pest Control/

Festivities and traditions mark the holiday season. An essential part of the season is putting up a Christmas tree. In the US, real Christmas trees are still popular. It is estimated that around 33 million real Christmas trees are sold annually in the country. Freshly-cut trees look gorgeous and have a distinctive smell that helps set the mood for the season. However, real trees also have real insects in them. A single Christmas tree may have up to 25,000 bugs. 

Most pests in Christmas trees are not harmful, and many may perish in the warmth of homes or because of a lack of food. Still, it is good to know what pests may be lurking in Christmas trees so that there are no unpleasant surprises. Habitat Pest Control offers advanced pest control services in San Jose and the Bay Area year-round. With over a decade of experience in commercial and residential control in San Jose and the Bay Area, this pest control company is always committed to providing the best service possible.

Some common pests in Christmas trees 

1. Aphids: They may be found on the lower branches of evergreen, pine, spruce, and many other trees. They are not harmful but must not be squashed on furniture as they leave stains.
2. Mites: Mites may present as minuscule red and brown dots and are usually seen in Douglas fir, white pine, Fraser fir, and spruce trees. They may lead to premature needle drop and stain carpets and Christmas ornaments. 
3. Sawflies: Black and yellow flies may hatch from brown cocoons on spruce and pine trees.
4. Adelgids: They appear like a fine dusting of snow on the Christmas trees.
5. Pine needle scale: They appear like white particles on the needles and branches of trees, which hatch to release tiny red bugs. 
6. Praying mantises: Trees may harbor the egg sacs of praying mantises. In the warm home environment, the eggs hatch as the warmth is interpreted as spring season. If this happens, it can be overwhelming as they can be a large swarm. But they usually die quickly and even prey on each other!
7. Bark beetles: These brown, black, or red bugs have hard, cylindrical bodies. They may be as big as grains of rice and leave small holes and trails of sawdust on the tree's trunk. However, they do not harm wooden furniture as the wood used is too dry. 
8. Spiders: Spiders that dwell in trees are usually not dangerous to humans or pets, and they may usually die off inside homes. Dangerous spiders like Black Widow and the Brown Recluse are not tree-dwellers. But, they can inhabit homes, and some caution while getting decorations and lights from storage or attics will be beneficial.

Avoiding Christmas tree bugs

1. Inspecting the tree at the lot and removing bird nests is helpful.
2. Whether there are signs of pest infestations or not, a good shake will scare and dislodge many pests on the trees. Lots may have shakers for this. 
3. Pruning branches that have egg cases or bird nests.
4. The Christmas tree can be left in the garage for a few days before getting it to the living room. 
5. Insects around the tree can be vacuumed up.
6. Bugs on the tree can be killed by dusting with diatomaceous earth or spraying with neem oil. Avoid spraying aerosol pesticides, as these are flammable. 

It is important to remember that Christmas tree bugs are usually harmless and do not survive and infest homes. Homes are more at risk from household pests like cockroaches and termites than from these. For such pest infestations, a pest control company can offer reliable solutions. For a pest control quote in San Jose and the Bay Area, contact Habitat Pest Control Company by phone number (408) 922-9898.