The Hidden Danger in your Christmas Tree

If you’re anything like us, Christmas spirits are in full swing! Visions of sugar plums are dancing in your head, the mistletoe has been hung, and the eggnog is chilled and ready for consumption.

And of course, you can’t forget about the Christmas tree — the centerpiece to many people’s decorations this season!

Sure, there is a plethora of ways you can decorate your tree… every tree is unique and many people do different iterations from year to year — but if you’ve decided on a real (i.e. not plastic) Christmas tree for this holiday season, you may be inviting some guests that are less than desirable!

When choosing a tree out in the wild (or even in a “Christmas tree park”), there is a good chance when you may bring some insects with you!

That’s right– holiday hitchhikers! Bugs and other tiny creatures are known to hide and live in real trees during the winter months. Even during “unseasonably warm” winters like is being experienced in some regions.

So what is the best way to keep pests out of your house this season? Well we can’t do anything about your crazy Uncle Larry, but we CAN help keep insects out…

Perhaps the most important thing that you want to do before taking your tree home with you (or at least before you enter the home) is to simply give it just a good shake. Shaking the tree gets all the loose particles and maybe even some of the bugs and different creatures out of the tree. Obviously, do this outside you house so that the debris (and any bugs) don’t litter your nice floors! Many Christmas tree parks have a shaker to get the loose pine needles and such out before they send you on your way, but it’s a good idea to give it another shake just before you go inside, as well.

On the bright side, none of the insects that we would normally find in our trees are harmful, but you never know what could be lurking inside them.

Insects like black widows certainly could be in there (though extremely unlikely) — Many insects are “shy,” and may not be visible right away, so it’s a very good idea to give the tree a shake or two “just in case.” Using pesticide or an aerosol spray could leave an unsightly residue on your beautiful Christmas tree, and we doubt you want that to be the focus of conversation this Christmas!

It just goes to show, it pays be cautious when you’re taking in the holiday pine.

If you run into any pest control issues, be sure to contact us!