Spiders in Your Christmas Tree
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees sold every year. Along with that fresh pine scent, you could be bringing spiders in your Christmas tree into your home. AOL reports Christmas Tree can hold up to 25,000 spiders (and other pests) living in your tree.
In Germany, finding spiders in their Christmas tree is considered good luck. You don’t agree? In the Ukraine, they decorate Christmas trees with artificial spider webs. You still don’t agree?
If you have ever had baby spiders emerge from your tree, you probably didn’t think it was festive at all. For the squeamish, it’s a little disturbing. That’s why it is so important to take a few precautions when you bring your new Christmas tree inside.
- When you choose a Christmas tree, examine the undersides of the branches for egg cases.
- When you get home, give your Christmas tree a good shake to dislodge any insects.
- Store your tree outside for a couple of days but keep it in water so it doesn’t dry out.
- Vacuum any fallen pine needles, which may have bugs on them.
- Don’t worry too much. There is little risk that they will invade your house. Remember, you can always call Conquistador Pest and Termite for a Free Pest Inspection.
Other Holiday Tips for Pests
- Bringing firewood inside your home can bring in unintended spiders too. Burn your firewood within twenty four hours.
- Look for signs of spiders and rodent activity, when getting decorations out of the garage. Open your decoration boxes outside, just in case.
- After the holiday, store decorations in a plastic tote to keep all bugs and rodents out.
- Food decorations, like popcorn strings, should be stored in plastic zip lock bags.
- Get year round pest treatments. If your home is inspected and treated year round, you’ll have less trouble with bugs and rodents getting into anything you have stored in your house or garage.
Hopefully you learned a few things that will help you keep spiders and other pests out of your holiday plans.
Source: Your Christmas tree may be filled with as many as 25,000 bugs
