You’ve heard the phrase, “Well, look what the cat brought in,” little do people know that Christmas trees can bring in unwanted pests too.
It is a common holiday tradition to find a Christmas tree and decorate it with ornaments, lights, garland, and more. Whether you have an artificial tree or a real tree, pests can hide in each. Whatever type of tree, and whatever type of pest, rest assured that we can help you in getting rid of bugs in Christmas trees.
Read on to learn 4 tips for getting rid of the bugs the Christmas tree brought in: 4 tips for real Christmas trees and 4 tips for artificial Christmas trees. Learn also of the pests in each type of tree.
Table of Contents
- 11 pests in real Christmas trees
- 7 pests in artificial Christmas trees
- 4 tips for getting rid of bugs in real Christmas trees
- 4 tips for getting rid of bugs in artificial Christmas trees
- Conclusion & next steps
11 Pests in Real Christmas Trees
People often wonder ‘can there be bugs in a Christmas tree?’ According to Safer Brand’s infographic, there could be up to 25,000 bugs living in 1 Christmas tree! However, most companies treat their trees for bugs before they sell them.
If any of those 25,000 bugs remain, most will be either pretty small and harmless (like microscopic mites). However, there are some bugs that can certainly startle you (like spiders) or simply be a nuisance (like flies, or fungus flies).
Of those 25,000 bugs in a tree, here’s the 12 you need to know about.
The list of 11 pests in real Christmas Trees:
1. Adelgids
3. Bark beetles
4. Bark Lice
5. Fungus flies and other flies
7. Pine needle scale
8. Sawfly
10. Spider mites and other mites
Aphids will often stick to the bark and branches, pine needle scale are itty bitty little bugs that are like aphids, but smaller and they stick to pine needles. If you’re wondering ‘what are winter mites?’ or ‘what are pine mites?’ there’s your answer: itty bitty little bugs that stick to pine needles.
The next few questions people ask are typically in regards to getting rid of the pests, the tree mites or pine mites. Typically you don’t need to worry about these mites, most don’t even know they are in or around their Christmas tree. Pine mites or tree mites don’t harm humans. Most of these pests won’t even survive indoors.
If you’re wondering ‘what are these little black bugs on my Christmas tree?’ the answer is: either a type of mite or springtail, but either way, they are harmless.
Like pine mites or tree mites, adelgids are little, round, white bugs that make little pine boughs look like there are pieces of cotton in between the needles. These adelgids are of no concern to humans, they won’t harm you. Most of these pests won’t even survive indoors, but if they do, all scale insects do secrete a thick, film-like substance.
Any flies or gnats typically come in on trees in egg form and then hatch in homes. Fungus flies or fungus gnats may be attracted to the water container you keep your tree in. Just like with other house plants, fungus gnats can breed in the water and around the water container. Springtails can be year-round pests of homes, coming out when there are fresh sources of water. Christmastime with a real tree is exactly that time of year springtails may take advantage of.
Moreover, we are more concerned with the more scary pests to you, like spiders, or the more nuisance pests to you, like flies, gnats, or fungus flies.
7 Pests in Artificial Christmas Trees
You may be thinking that artificial trees might be a better option. In reality, choice in tree type is completely up to you, as there are even some pests that could inhabit your artificial Christmas tree or your Christmas tree container.
Theses pests don’t come in on the tree from the store, generally. These pests are more so pests that were already in your home or in the wall voids, but became attracted to your artificial Christmas tree or its container, based on their materials.
The list of 7 pests in artificial Christmas Trees:
3. Mites
7. Stored product pests
Pests like carpet beetles, earwigs, moths, and stored product pests, would be attracted to the type of material of your tree or tree container. All of these pests love dry areas with a product to eat. Spiders just like dark corners in dark closets, and often that’s where a Christmas tree might be stored when it’s not holiday season.
Finally, mice aren’t what one may think to be among the pests in artificial Christmas trees, but actually mice nests are pretty commonly found in stored boxes. This makes a fairly high risk that if you had mice, one may make home in your Christmas tree or Christmas ornaments or Christmas decorations box, especially if there are paper products to make a soft little bed for them.
Whatever the pest, if you find a pest in your artificial Christmas tree, we have you covered. Give us a call for a free quote: 651-342-9489.
4 Tips For Getting Rid Of Bugs In Real Christmas Trees
1. Fully inspect your tree closely before you bring your tree inside.
You can store your tree in your garage first, maybe for a day or so. Some will recommend shaking trees, if you do this, do so right away, when the tree is most alive and the pine needles won’t fall out as easily. Keep in mind that most places where you get your trees have most likely already shaken the trees.
2. Do not treat with chemical treatments yourself.
Any aerosol sprays or chemical sprays are flammable. Spraying next to or on your tree, could be hazardous, especially with halogen bulbs that get warm quickly.
Plus, low-quality pesticides can cause allergic reactions for humans and pets when touched.
3. Routinely vacuum.
More than just pine needles fall off of your tree. Simply, keep a vacuum handy and vacuum up those little needles, pieces of bark, and anything else that may fall off of your tree.
4. Keep your tree fed.
Christmas trees drink/soak up quite a bit of water, and the bigger the tree, the more water it will drink. A good rule of thumb is that a tree will need about 1 quart of water per 1 inch of diameter in the trunk. A 6- to 7-foot tree may have a 3 or 4 inch diameter trunk. That tree would need 3 or 4 quarts, respectively, every single day.
By keeping your tree fed and healthier, it will last longer. By lasting longer, any bugs that were inside the tree because they are attracted to living trees, will stay inside.
If you can pick a healthy tree, it will most likely have fewer issues with scale or aphids.
4 Tips For Getting Rid Of Bugs In Artificial Christmas Trees
1. Fully inspect your tree each year.
Erring on the side of caution is always smart. One doesn’t often expect pests, and that’s often why they get startled. Let’s be real, though: pests shouldn’t be in your home. But if you’ve seen mouse activity or other insect activity in your home, inspect your tree each year prior to putting it up and decorating it.
2. Vacuum regularly.
Though an artificial tree doesn’t lose pine needles near as often, you still need to vacuum your home regularly. Regular cleaning and home maintenance drops your risk for pests.
3. Do research & treat or have a professional treat.
I typically will always recommend at least consulting a pest control company prior to any self-treating for pests. That said, the difference between a real tree and an artificial tree is you can’t kill an artificial tree with use of any pest control products. If there is something in your home or on your tree, you may very well do research and treat on your own, or call Done Right Pest Solutions for a free consultation: 651-342-9489.
4. Use an essential oil.
Many bugs, like ants, do not like strong smelling scents like peppermint oil or other essential oils.
Feel free to use a Christmas essential oil like Holiday Cheer or Joy or whatever floats your fancy. The oil may help keep the bugs away and make your home smell more like you have a real tree.
Please keep in mind that if you have pets or small children you should not keep essential oils out in the open and be careful how you use them.
Conclusion & Next Steps For Getting Rid Of Bugs In Christmas Trees
We hope you’ve learned a lot about the storing and keeping of real and artificial Christmas trees.
You’ve learned about the 11 pests in real Christmas trees and 7 pests in artificial Christmas trees. Now you know which pests are necessary to treat (any nuisance pest like spiders, earwigs, mice, etc.) and which ones you can leave be if you find them in your tree (mite, scale, etc.).
We also shared 4 tips for getting rid of bugs in real Christmas trees and 4 tips for getting rid of bugs in artificial Christmas trees. Ultimately, we hope if you ever have a pest issue, that you’ll give us a call for a free consultation. It’s always best to seek the professional advice of someone who’s been in the industry for more than a decade.
You’re welcome to reach out via email at donerightpestsolutions@gmail.com or via phone call or text to 651-342-9489. If we recommend treatment you can do at home, we will let you know. If we recommend having our expert technicians treat, we have affordable 1x services and year-round options (so if it happens again next year you just call, text, or email; no fees necessary).
We also have the most discount opportunities in the Twin Cities metro area for pest control.
Pests give you stress, let us take the pests and the stress away today! 651-342-9489.
Here when you need us,
Done Right Team
Have you ever had bugs come out of your Christmas tree? What did you do? We’d love to hear of your experience in the comments!
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