For those who celebrate Christmas and want to bring in the season with a beautiful Christmas tree, there are a few minor care areas to keep in mind while bringing the tree into your home. One such area: Ensuring pests are not present in the tree and are not a risk to invade it within short order.
At A-1 Exterminators, we’re proud to offer a variety of pest control services throughout the year, from basic insect control to bird prevention and numerous other areas. What are some of the pests that might be present on a Christmas tree when you bring it home, or that might try to infiltrate your tree area once it’s present inside the house? Here are a few of the most common to keep an eye out for.
Bark Beetles
Some of the most common pests that may attempt to nest in certain tree types commonly used for Christmas trees are bark beetles. These are red, black or brown bugs that have hard bodies, usually roughly the size of a single grain of rice.
Bark beetles are most commonly found in Monterey pines, White Fir and Juniper trees, all of which are commonly used as Christmas options. They create small holes and sawdust trails on the trunk of the tree – if you notice these issues or see the bugs themselves, contact our exterminators right away.
Aphids
Aphids are small, usually inactive pests that often aren’t even noticed. They can be found on Evergreen, Balsam Fir and Spruce trees, plus a few other types. They survive by feeding on certain plants, but most of these are not houseplants you have to worry about.
Mites
Certain pests are only a threat to the tree, not to any humans, and mites are a good example here. They do not pose any risks to humans or animals outside basic annoyance and aesthetics, but they can lead to premature needle dropping in trees – and you don’t want them turning your beautiful Christmas tree into a bare pile of branches.
In addition, mites may cause small red stains on ornaments or carpets. They can be found in white pines, Douglas fir, Spruce trees and Fraser fir trees.
Praying Mantis
The praying mantis is a pest that can be found on virtually any type of tree commonly used as a Christmas tree. They will swarm the entire tree looking for food, often in great numbers. They can be identified by their light tan color and their size, which is comparable to a walnut.
For more on ensuring pests don’t invade your Christmas tree this season, or to learn about any of our pest control or exterminator services, speak to the staff at A-1 Exterminators today.
