Tri-County Pest Control Q&A: Christmas Tree Hitchhikers

Because it’s ‘beginning to look a lot like Christmas’, we wanted to use our blog today to discuss different pests that could potentially hitchhike into your home or office on a Christmas tree that you would bring indoors.

Q. What types of trees are typically vulnerable to pest infestation? 

A. Pines and fir trees, which are also the most widely-known type of trees grown to be used as Christmas trees, are unfortunately some of the most vulnerable to a wide variety of pests, which can cause fungus, root rot and even tree death.

Q. What can I do to prevent pests from traveling indoors on my Christmas tree? 

A. You can try shaking it outside before setting up the tree in your home or office.

Q. What other preventative measures can I use to remove any would be ‘travelers’ from my tree?

A. You can use the extensions on your vacuum cleaner to additionally remove any pests that may have made their way in via the tree.

Q. What are some of the most rampant travelers? 

A. Praying mantises are a well-known hitchhiker on Christmas trees. Their egg cases can sometimes be found in Fraser fir trees. Once they inside the warmth of a home or office, the eggs can hatch and the baby mantis can disperse. These are not harmful insects. If you happen to find egg casings on your trees, just remove them and place them outside.

Q. What about spraying the trees with pesticides? 

A. Never, ever spray your Christmas trees with pesticides. They are flammable!

If you take a few extra moments to inspect and shake your trees out well before bringing them indoors, you shouldn’t have an issue. In the rare case that you may, please contact us and we’ll be there in no time to remediate the pests.