When shopping for Christmas trees, most consumers focus on the size (will it fit into my living room), shape, appearance and other such factors. But it’s also important to conduct a thorough inspection of Christmas trees – and any decorations such as wreaths that include natural materials – to ensure a pest-free holiday experience.
Ants, aphids, beetles, mites, spider and sowbugs among other pests can hitch a ride into your home on that Christmas tree and cause serious damage or become a nuisance. Growers usually treat trees cut for sale prior to shipping, but the treatments are no guarantee. Trees can also attract pests while being transported or while sitting on the lot. It’s especially important to thoroughly inspect any tree that you may cut yourself – preferably before you cut it so you don’t kill a tree you don’t want – and again after cutting.
Fortunately, you do not need to treat the tree or decorations with an insecticide or other treatment. A good inspection prior to buying or cutting the tree or decorations and then routine inspection once home is usually an effective and safe solution.
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Some tips for a pest-free holiday:
1. Look for small insects along branches and close to where the branches meet the trunk. Look for powder-like sawdust and tiny holes in the trunk– this is more likely to be an indication of a bark beetle and not carpenter ants because the wood is fresh. Look for spider webs.
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2. Shake the tree to remove any pests before bringing it into the home. Pound the base of the trunk on the ground to dislodge insects.
3. Periodically inspect the tree for dead needles, debris, spider webs or other evidence of insects. Remove fallen needles.
4. Keep the tree hydrated and away from sources of heat or direct sunlight – this has nothing to do with pests, but is a good tip to help keep your tree fresh.
5. Have a safe and Merry Christmas!
Brett Lieberman is owner of Fairfax-based My Pest Pros and Mosquito Terminators of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. For more information and a free pest inspection, visit www.mypestpros.com or www.mosquitocontroldc.com or contact us at 703-665-4455.
