It's the time of year when many Americans head to their local Christmas tree farm in search of that perfect centerpiece for the holiday ahead. Whether you cut down your own or select your favorite from a row of green pines, your Christmas tree will likely take up a place of pride in your home. When you bring your tree home, you don't want to bring any pests in with it, however. Although the chances of a bug infestation arriving with your tree are low, it's still best to be prepared. Here are a few insects that could attempt to hitch a ride on your Christmas tree:
Bark beetles
According to the University of Pennsylvania, bark beetles earn their name by boring into the trunks of evergreen trees. They are small and black, and are often hard to spot because they have already gotten under the bark of the tree. If you see sawdust around the branches, it could indicate a bark beetle infestation. They prefer moist, living wood and are therefore not a threat to wooden furniture. If you do believe your tree is infested with bark beetles, it's still a good idea to remove it from your home.
Spittle bugs
These pests are aptly named due to the fact that they can produce a white, bubbly foam around pine needles. According to Michigan State University, the spittle is actually frothed sap. The tiny bugs live inside the foam. If you see a mass of spittle on a tree branch, you can generally remove that part of the branch and dispose of it outside. It's unlikely that a spittle bug infestation would require you dispose of the entire tree.
Spruce spider mites
Spider mites can cause pine needles to turn brown and fall from the tree. An infestation is easy to mistake for poor watering habits. If you have watered your tree well and it is still withering, consider checking the plant carefully for mites. The mites are quite small and appear as brown specks when shaken out of the tree, reported Cornett Carolina Trees. Inside your home, they can cause discoloration of furniture. Spider mites can be removed easily with a vacuum. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag into an outdoor trash can.
Spiders
Many species of spiders may hop a ride on a Christmas tree. However, they are generally few in number and are easy to remove. You likely will not see the spiders on the tree, but rather elsewhere in the house. Simply catch it with a tissue or swat it. Spider eggs typically do not hatch in the wintertime, so if any are present on the tree, they will be removed along with the tree after the holiday ends.
If you believe your tree has a pest infestation, a good first step is to vacuum it. If the problem continues, you should consider removing it from your home. Remember, tree pests are often not the fault of the grower. It's better to deal with the occasional insect rather than spraying the trees with potentially harmful pesticides
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
