How to Avoid Bringing Christmas Tree Bugs, Spiders, Aphids, Bark Beetles & Other Pests into Your Ocala, FL Home

It has become a treasured Christmas tradition to have a Christmas tree in our homes to decorate and put presents underneath. Many use fake trees, however there are many who love the smell and feel of a real Christmas tree in their homes. Along with the smell and the feel of a real Christmas tree you also have to wonder about what else you might have brought into your home. You might be surprised to learn that you are also taking the chance of bringing in pests. Pest 911 would like to share some of the concerns of bringing a real tree into your home and how to avoid the pests coming into your home this Christmas season.

How to Get Rid of Aphids, Adelgids & Dust Mites on Your Christmas Tree

Many of the pests that live on conifers are very sensitive to weather change and many of the hitchhiking insects will die within a few days. Whether they die from lack of food or temperature change, they themselves don’t pose a major threat. However there are a few pests that can be a concern. Aphids are a very common pest that is found on evergreens. Aphids lay their egg towards the end of summer and remain dormant until the warmth of spring brings them to life and hatches them. Once you bring your tree into your home, the warmth of the indoors will spawn an early hatching of the aphids. Now you may have an infestation of aphids. Another concerning pest that lives on some conifers or evergreens are Adelgids. An Adelgid reassembles a small piece of cotton. They are often mistaken for a tiny snow flake. Dust Mites often live in evergreens and often find their way into your home. These are but some of the smallest bugs that often become a problem in people’s homes. The best way to get rid of aphids, Adelgids, dust mites and other pests is to shake the tree out well and then keep the Christmas tree in your garage for the first 24 hours to see if pests venture out.

Bark Beetles, Praying Mantis, Spiders & Other Pests on Christmas Trees

Now let’s look at some of the larger insects. These larger insects can include bark beetles and praying mantids which are a family member of the praying mantis. Their eggs too lay dormant during the winter and awaken with the warmth of spring. Again the warmth of your home can prematurely hatch their eggs. Finally spiders are known to enter your residence as they may have chosen your Christmas tree to call home. Many of these pests can create problems both in and outside your home. This is why it is important to take steps to avoid these pests.

Inspect Christmas Tree for Pest Infestations

When you’re choosing a Christmas tree, at the lot or in the mountains, be sure to do a thorough inspection. Look for any signs of aphids, adelgids, mantids and other insects that are commonly found on evergreens. Start your inspection at the base of the tree and work your way up. If you see any signs of a bark beetle, which may result in a lot of tiny holes throughout the tree, avoid it. Of course avoid any trees with a sign of a major infestation of insects or eggs as well.

Christmas Tree Pest Prevention

Before you bring the tree into your home, shake it out and do it vigorously in the hope you can dislodge any insects that might be clinging to the tree. Remove any infested branches if possible and clean off the tree of any foreign objects. It’s a good idea to wash your tree down with a garden hose and allow it dry before you bring the tree inside your home. Do not use pesticides such as aerosol pesticide spray. Do not make an all ready flammable object even more flammable with a pesticide. If any pest survived the cleaning process, remove them quickly as you come across them.

Pest Management

Don’t let pests invade your home this holiday reason and ruin your Christmas. Take the proper precautions and avoid creepy crawlies being your next Christmas surprise. Pest 911 hopes to warn our customers of the potential of these pests entering your home. If you have a current pest problem, call us today. We will come and help make your home pest free.