Here’s How You Can Prevent Pests from Hitching a Ride On Your Christmas Tree, According to an Expert

A fresh Christmas tree is an annual tradition for many families, but do you know how to check it for pests? As it turns out, Christmas trees provide an easy way for pests to hitch a ride inside your home. Once inside, they can hide amongst your other holiday decor or spread to fresh winter foliage throughout your home. They’ll also eat away at your Christmas tree over the season, causing it to die long before the holidays arrive. 

To help you handle any potential Christmas tree pests before they become a problem, we spoke to Shannon Sked, national director of Orkin Technical.

Look Over Your Tree at the Lot

The first step is to give your tree a once-over before it crosses the threshold of your home. “Inspect your tree all the way down to the trunk and stem before bringing it indoors,” Sked recommends. This can help you spot problematic pests before they darken your doorstep.

If you spot a particularly bad infestation on a tree before you buy it, you’ll probably want to avoid purchasing it. But even if you haven’t spotted any pests on the tree you picked, there’s another method you can use to ensure hidden pests aren’t living on your tree: “Before bringing a tree inside, shake it vigorously outside to dislodge any bugs that may be living on the bark or needles,” Sked says. 

“If a leaf blower is handy, it can be used to blow through the crown of the tree to further dislodge pests that can be harder to remove,” he adds. This can help give you peace of mind before you haul your tree indoors.

Spotting Common Pests in Your Christmas Tree

Give your tree another look before you bring it inside. Looking through the foliage with a flashlight can help you spot pests or their eggs. Aphids are one common Christmas tree pest that Orkin warns about; these small brown bugs look like little lumps on the branches and needles of your tree. 

“Aphids are more of a nuisance than a threat inside the home, but they can wreak havoc on indoor plants if they migrate from the Christmas tree,” says Sked. If you spot them, shaking your tree outside is still a good method to remove them quickly. 

Spiders and beetles are two more common tree pests that you won’t want to bring inside; experts at Orkin say that just one Christmas tree could contain up to 25,000 insects. That’ll make you want to shake your Christmas tree around outside for a while.

Check Your Tree Indoors, Too

Once your tree is inside, your job isn’t done just yet. “It is also important to inspect [the tree] again once it’s inside as some pests, like aphids, can become active when they’re exposed to warmer temperatures,” Sked says.

“Pay close attention to branches closer to windows or other light sources, as many pests are drawn to light; but don’t ignore the darker side as well, since not all pests are attracted to light.” If you happen to see more pests once you get your tree inside, simply bring it back outdoors again and shake it off once more. 

Stay Vigilant Throughout the Season

The scent of fresh pine filling your home is lovely, but it also means that even a pest-free tree can attract bugs indoors. “That great Christmas tree smell can attract pests into the home. Seal any gaps, cracks, and crevices around your home that pests can enter through. If pests find their way inside, they may take shelter in the tree or other holiday decorations,” Sked warns. Keep your tree safe this holiday season by ensuring that pests can’t follow that seasonal smell inside your home. 

When to Ask a Pro for Help

If you notice that your tree has a massive infestation and a leaf blower isn’t cutting it, it’s time to call in a professional. Sked recommends using pest control for a Christmas tree infestation you just can’t seem to kick; experts can help you ensure that the infestation isn’t spreading to other areas of your home. 

“Inspecting your tree every step of the way can help ensure you have a pest-free holiday season,” Sked advises. This way, you can avoid any unexpected gifts underneath (or in) your tree this Christmas.