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During the holidays, families across America decorate their houses and Christmas trees. While many families have become accustomed to artificial trees, many still use the traditional real tree. Since these trees are living, they can provide a home for insects, mites, and spiders. Signs to look for: Going to a Christmas tree distributor can entail a lot of work, but it is recommended that you and your family add a few extra steps in the shopping process. When choosing a tree, examine the branches for signs of insects. Aphids are an extremely common inhabitant of Douglas firs, spruces, and pines and can leave a visible trace. Look for traces of wax or honeydew; this may present a white residue in the case of heavy infestation. Another common insect inhabitant is the adelgid (looks like tiny cotton balls), which will leave behind growth deformities (galls) on branches that are in the shape of a cone or pineapple. When examining the bark, look for small holes and sawdust, this could be the result of a bark beetle. If you come across any of these signs, leave that tree and move on to the next. In the case that there are no traces of insects, be sure to understand that there is still the possibility of there being life on each tree. When you found the perfect tree: Once you have selected your desired tree, check and see if the lot has a mechanical tree shaker available for use. This will do the job of shaking out any unwanted pests. If this is unavailable, you can shake the tree yourself outside your home for a similar effect. Before setting up your tree in your home, make sure to not make it the home for pests as well. Do a second thorough look-through, checking for egg cases left behind. Once the tree is inside, the warm temperatures will encourage hatching, which can mean for more problems. After all precautionary methods are taken, there still is the chance that a few pests could have made it into your home. If you do come across any, DO NOT spray pesticides on the tree; these products are extremely flammable. After a few days, the means of your living room are simply not enough to keep these insects alive. Simply wait it out and vacuum up any dead pests you come across. For more information visit our website www.bugweedmart.com. Joe LaBrie is operations manager for Bug & Weed Mart, a do-it-yourself retail chain that specializes in bug and weed prevention. To learn more about pest prevention and protection you can visit www.bugweedmart.com or on Facebook www.facebook.com/bugandweedmart.
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Christmas Tree, Real Christmas Tree, insects, pests, holidays,
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