There’s nothing quite like the smell of a freshly-cut evergreen tree filling your home to get you into the holiday spirit. But when you bring a living tree into your house, you risk bringing thousands of tree pests along. We've put together a list of the most common tree-dwellers and some tips on how to get rid of these real tree pests.
Aphids
Aphids are a common garden pest known for sucking on plant sap. They can also show up in your trees.
- Aphids are commonly found on evergreen, spruce, pine, Fraser fir, White fir, and Balsam fir trees.
- They are small, brown, black, or green and have 6 long legs. They are often mistaken for small spiders.
- They will leave a red or purple stain if crushed.
- Aphids are host specific and will not feed on other plants around the house.
Bark Beetles
Bark beetles are another pest that can bug your trees. These beetles like to feed on dying trees, and their larvae bore into the bark of the tree.
- They are commonly found on White fir, Monterey pines, Jeffrey pines, Coulter pines, and junipers.
- These pests are small, about the size of a grain of rice. They are hard-bodied and brown, red, or black.
- Keep any eye out for sawdust trails and small holes around the trunk of the tree.
Mites
Mites are tiny arachnids that like to hang out on plants and feed on the juice or sap. These pests can also be spotted on trees.
- Mites are often found in Fraser fir, Douglas fir, White pine, and spruce trees.
- Be on the lookout for tiny red and brown dots.
- Mites can leave small red stains on carpet or ornaments and may cause premature needle drop.
Spiders
These creepy crawlies like to hide in vegetation and under tree bark, making your Christmas tree a perfect hiding spot.
- Spiders are typically seen in Fraser fir, Douglas fir, White pine, and spruce trees.
- Webs can be an indicator of their presence.
- These arachnids may leave the tree and find a cozy place in your home to settle down.
Praying Mantises
Praying mantises are beneficial insects known for their hunting skills. These bugs have been found hanging out on trees, but it’s usually a rare find.
- Praying mantises can be found on any type of tree.
- Look for a light tan egg mass about the size of a walnut. Egg masses can contain about 400 eggs. After a few weeks indoors, the eggs will begin to hatch.
- They usually attach to conifer limbs.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are plant pests that have a brown protective shell covering their body. These pests like to cluster together on plants and feed on the sap.
- Pine needle scale insects are most likely to infest your tree.
- They are found on Douglas fir, Scotch pine, and Norway spruce trees.
- Check for tiny white dots on the needles or branches. Once scale insects hatch, they will be small, red bugs.
Adelgidae (Adelgids)
Adelgidae are related to aphids and are known for feeding on a plant’s juices. Like aphids, they can infest different species of trees.
- Adelgidae are commonly found on Norway spruce, Scotch pine, fir, and especially White pine trees.
- These pests secrete a waxy coating, so it will look like there is a small dusting of snow along twigs and bark if they are present.
- If adelgidae are in your tree, they will happily stay there instead of moving about your home.
Tips To Prevent Unwanted Tree Pests
Bugs are probably not your first choice for tree decorations, so it’s important to take steps to keep these pests away. Check out a few tips to help protect your trees from pests.
Examine the Tree Before Buying It
Before bringing your tree home, you’ll want to examine it for bugs or signs of insect activity. Check the underside of branches where pests are most likely to hide. Look for bugs, webbing, eggs, or holes in the bark. If you notice egg casings, you will want to cut off infested twigs or branches. It’s best to go tree shopping during the day when it will be easier to see bugs.
Shake Out the Tree
Shaking out the tree can help to dislodge any pests that are hiding in it. Most tree lots will have a mechanical tree shaker and can help you with the process. You can also use a leaf blower for a similar effect. After bringing your tree home, let it sit in the garage for a few days to make sure pests didn’t hitch a ride home with you.
Vacuum Around the Tree
Once your tree is set up in your home, you’ll want to take time to vacuum. Regularly vacuuming around your tree can help to remove bugs and their eggs. Empty the contents into a sealed bag and place it in an outdoor trash bin. If you notice bugs, it’s best to not crush them. This can leave marks on your floor, furniture, or walls.
Skip the Aerosols
Pesticides are a great solution to help control pests. However, it’s best to avoid spraying an aerosol near your tree. Aerosol sprays are usually flammable, so the lights on your tree could be a fire hazard. Instead of using an aerosol, you can place our Spider & Insect Trap close to the tree. It works 24/7 to capture spiders and crawling insects.
Having pests infest your tree isn’t how you want to spend your holiday season. Knowing what to look for and taking preventative measures can help to keep your tree and holiday free of bugs. If you’re dealing with a pest problem, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.