What to Do About Christmas Tree Bugs

After you place and decorate your beautiful holiday tree, the last thing you want is creepy crawlies ruining it. In the Southeastern United States, it’s common for trees to get infested with Christmas bugs, which is a term that describes the following species:

• Aphids
• Hemlock woolly adelgid
• Spiders
• Moths
• Bark beetles
• Barklice
• Mites
• Sawflies

Whether you get a real tree every year or opt for an artificial tree that you store in your home, it is important to know how to get rid of and prevent an infestation before bringing it into your home this year.

Check out our tips below from the pest control experts at Lookout Pest Control to keep pests out of your Christmas tree this holiday season.

Why Is My Christmas Tree Infested With Bugs?

Every Christmas tree can harbor insects, mites, spiders, and more. These bugs like the shelter Christmas trees offer, which provide an amble environment for reproduction.

Trees especially attract insects that overwinter – meaning they hunker down in a protected area during winter for survival (think hibernation). Although many will stay on the tree, a few may be attracted to sources of light, including light fixtures and windows.

Real Trees

Some of these pests remain on the tree throughout winter and could become active after being exposed to the warm temperatures inside of your home. For real trees that grow outside, these bugs will stay when they’re brought indoors.

Artificial Trees

Artificial trees are usually kept in your basement, crawlspace, or attic for 11 months of the year when they are not being used. It is the perfect place for a bug to nest and lay eggs every year.

How Do You Get Rid of a Bug Infestation in a Tree?

Preventing these potential pests from getting into your home in the first place is your best bet. We do not recommend spraying your tree with bug spray, as it may be flammable.

We recommend the following tips to keep bugs out of your real Christmas:

• Vigorously shaking your tree before entering your home will not only shake off loose needles, but also may knock out any bugs clinging to branches, bird nests, and egg masses on your tree.
• Check the trunk top to bottom for spiders, roaches, or aphids.
• Regularly check above and around the tree for spider webs.
• Turn up the thermostat – bugs living on real trees are used to the cold climate outdoors. Turning up the heat in your home will cause the bugs to either die or flee back outside.

And we recommend the following tips to keep them out of your artificial Christmas tree:

• Properly store your artificial tree in a container that fully closes, or in a Christmas tree storage bag (not just a box they can easily get into) so you keep the bugs out while it is in storage all year round.
• Unpack your tree outside and give it a good shake to remove any bugs or droppings that could be living in the tree branches.
• Give the branches a good vacuum before setting up the tree.
• Check the trunk and branches thoroughly while setting up your tree to ensure there are no eggs or pests living in the tree.

At home prevention is best paired with professional pest control that lasts all year long. Lookout Pest Control exterminators know how to take care of Christmas bugs and similar insects so that you can enjoy your holidays.

Pest Control for Christmas Tree Bugs

If you still notice pests in your home after bringing in your real tree or setting up your fake tree, call the experts at Lookout Pest Control. We can come in and take a look to determine which measures need to be taken to remove the bugs from your home this holiday season.

Lookout Pest Control offers service plans for regular treatments, as well as one-time service calls. Get started with a free quote here!