A Christmas tree has been cut in a forest or a farm only a few days before arriving at the shop. When the time comes to go to your local store, think about it.
Insects love trees. They make their nests and lay their eggs there. What insects can be found there? Several species in fact. Here is a short list: mites, spiders, mantises, aphids, bark beetles, etc.
You can also find in stores garlands and wreaths made with live tree stems. This time they have travelled thousands of miles to their destination near you. This can introduce new species of insects into the environment.
How can you avoid getting a tree that carries insects? There are simple ways to ensure that you do. Let’s look at some of them.
The right time to buy your Christmas tree
Avoid shopping for your Christmas tree in the evening. Bugs and their eggs are best seen during the day.
Examine the underside of the branches
Look closely at the trunk of the specimen, as well as the underside of its branches. Pay particular attention to the lower branches. This examination is intended to identify the following signs: red or brown spots, egg aggregates, snowflake-like appearance that are not snowflakes, white or red spots on the needles or insects as such.
How to remove insects from the Christmas tree
Aphids are the most common insect spotted on a Christmas conifer. Spraying the tree with Do it Yourself insecticidal soap or non-toxic neem oil will kill aphids.
However, it is recommended to avoid commercial aerosol sprays for this egg and insect killing operation. These products are chemical and not without consequences for your health. In addition, they are frequently flammable. It would be a shame if a fire were to start in your conifer.
Do not crush the insects on the floor or even on your furniture, and try to avoid trampling them, as this could cause stains.
A vacuum cleaner is preferable. On the other hand, it is essential to treat the bag containing them with your insecticidal soap or neem oil before throwing the bag away.
How to dispose of a Christmas tree
You’ve had a wonderful Christmas. Now it’s time to dispose of the tree. Don’t dump it in your compost or on a brush pile. That would be an effective way for invasive insects and even diseases to spread around. You should check to see if your municipality, like many, has a Christmas tree pick-up program. Often all you have to do is leave it at the curb and they will pass by. This is a good arrangement.
If your community does not have such a program, you can take the tree yourself to a location such as a landfill, dump or solid waste facility. You can also contact a tree service company with a chipper such as Emondage Lac-Brome. This method also prevents the spread of insects.
An insect-free Christmas tree for the holiday season
No one wants an insect-infested home for Christmas. It’s easy to guess that you didn’t ask Santa for one. You will need to treat your home appropriately if it becomes overrun with unwanted guests.
Our article has outlined the insects that may be present on your Christmas tree, how to inspect a tree before buying, how to remove insects and their eggs from the conifer and how to dispose of the thorny plant.
It is important to realize that if you don’t do this properly, you may have exposed your entire neighborhood and even woodlands in your area to the danger of invasive insects from elsewhere. This can disrupt native ecosystems.