Pest Control Tips for Real Christmas Trees
Filed under: Pest Control
The smell of fresh pine in the house brings up memories of family traditions and fun holiday celebrations over the years. Many families prefer to use a real Christmas tree during this time of year. Not only is the smell delightful, but it’s a memorable activity to choose a tree and decorate it with loved ones.
Pests Hitchhiking Inside on Your Christmas Tree
Bringing a fresh tree into your home is a great way to bring in the Christmas spirit. But it also has a few drawbacks: potential pest control issues because of bugs that have been hibernating in the tree.
Bringing a freshly cut Christmas tree into your home means that you could be inviting thousands of hibernating bugs inside as well. These microscopic bugs aren’t dangerous – they usually die quickly. But you could have a variety of hitchhikers coming inside to share the holiday season with your family:
- Aphids
- Mites
- Spiders
- Adelgids
- Sawfly
- Pine needle scale
- Bark beetles
- Praying mantises
Pest Control Tips for Christmas Trees
The best approach is to treat your fresh Christmas tree before bringing it inside. Diatomaceous earth and neem spray are two natural options that can kill insects without exposing your family to harsh chemicals.
Here are a few other pest control tips to consider if you are bringing a fresh Christmas tree into your home:
- Shake the Christmas tree outside to dislodge anything that might be hanging on.
- Let the Christmas tree stay in the garage for a few days before bringing it into the house.
- Check the branches and trunk for signs of pests. Trim any areas where you see egg cases.
- Pretreat the tree with neem oil or diatomaceous earth.
- Vacuum around the tree regularly to pick up any bugs that might be leftover.
Important Note: It’s not a good idea to spray Christmas trees with aerosol pesticide products. Not only do these cans contain chemicals that can be dangerous to your health, but they are also highly flammable. You could be increasing the fire risk by putting a flammable substance on the dry Christmas tree branches.
Pest Control Services During the Holidays
If you discover a pest control problem during the holiday season (or any other time of year), then our skilled team is here to assist. Contact Riche’s Termite and Pest Service to learn more about available services for your home: (951) 233-7697.
