5 Tips For a Pest-Free Christmas Tree

With each Christmas season, we’ll deck the halls, enjoy a sleigh ride, and go walking in a Winter wonderland. But no matter the festivities and tales of Santa, Christmas won’t feel quite complete without a decorated tree. Every year, evergreens from around the world are dawned with lights, tinsel, ornaments, candy, and more. However, if you’re planning to include a tree, real or fake, in your Christmas decor, consider its chances for containing bugs. No matter if you chopped it down or stored its plastic counterpart all year, your Christmas tree is a likely host to some bugs. So be sure that your Christmas tree brings into your home only good cheer, free of unwanted critters!

Bugs you might find in your Christmas tree this year:

Adelgids (These are aphid-like insects covered in a white, waxy coating)
Aphids
Bark Beetles
Mites
Praying Mantids
Psocids
Sawfly
Scale Insects
Spiders
Webworms

Trees are exceptionally hospitable to insects, mites, and spiders. So ensure that before you display your tree in your living room window, that it is free of any of these kinds of critters. If you have a real tree, complete the following:

Upon first bringing home your tree, make sure to thoroughly shake it out outside of your home to dislodge any insects, eggs, or other loose debris.
Remove any bird nests or eggs. Check the undersides of branches, and in the trunk wherein these commonly hide.
Refrain from using insect spray as these are often flammable.

If you have an artificial tree, you’ll likely store it for most of the year in your garage, basement, or crawl space. This is the perfect opportunity for bugs of all sorts to take up residence within its branches. So, before you set up your tree again this year, be sure to look out for bugs with these tips:

Store your artificial tree in a fully-enclosed container that is tightly sealed. We advise against using just a box in which bugs can easily crawl inside.
Unpack your tree outside. In case any bugs are hanging around, you can shake them off here in your lawn, rather than in your living room.

Make sure to check your other stored decorations for bugs as they are equally prone to harboring these pests. With a quick check, some thoughtful precautions, and Christmas music playing in the background, you’re decorations will be up and pest-free in no time!

If you encounter unwanted pests this season and need a quick solution to their permanent extermination, do not hesitate to call on us at Beebe’s Pest & Termite Control. We are your local, expert pest control professionals, and we’re prepared to serve your home this holiday!

BugUS!™ For Pest Control

*Proudly providing pest control for Louisiana, Alabama, Florida & Mississippi!Beebe’s has provided pest control service to our valued customers for more than four decades. The goal is to not only provide you with quality protection, but also the continued security and peace of mind that comes with it! Our company uses only EPA-approved products that have been tested and proven effective. Not only are all of our pest control technicians professionally trained, but they also dedicate themselves to continuing education in their respective field.In fact, we pride ourselves with providing you the best customer service experience in the industry. We appreciate your business and also look forward to providing you with prompt and professional service.

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