Christmas trees and other decorations can be sources of joy and holiday spirit. On the other hand, they have the power to attract unwanted visitors. Real trees and fake trees, as well as other decorations, can bring pests into your home. Our team of Des Moines pest control experts is all about holidays being merry and bright, and we know pests can dampen the mood. Here are some of the most common holiday decor pest problems:

Real Tree Pests

For some, Christmas starts with a hunt for the perfect real Christmas tree. Whether it comes from a local tree tent or the Wal-Mart tree section, it just needs to be the real thing. Because these trees come from nature, sometimes they bring a little extra nature with them in the form of bugs. Aphids and bark beetles like to live in these trees, slowly eating the trees but not causing harm to humans. Praying mantises lay eggs that blend in with bark. A walnut-sized egg sac can produce hundreds of eggs. Spiders and mites live inside the needles of real pine trees, causing the needles to fall. 

How to Find and Get Rid of the Holiday Pests

Detecting the pests with the naked eye can be tricky, but it is worthwhile to inspect the individual branches and trunk of the tree. Throughout the month, check above the tree for spider webs, and take them down as you see them. Shaking the tree outside may release some of the bugs and eggs that exist in the tree. Once the tree is inside, turn up the heat. These pests are used to chilly climates, so high temperatures will cause them to die off or flee to colder conditions. 

Fake Tree Pests

Fake trees should be safe coming from the store, but they may have gathered some dust — and pests — while sitting in your home’s storage. Before putting up your tree, then before putting it away, give it a quick vacuum. Then, give it a good shake outside. Check the tree trunks and branches for signs of insect life. Finally, when putting your tree away, make sure to properly store it in a container that closes all the way, like a Christmas tree storage bag. 

Other Decorations

Pest issues that happen in artificial trees can also be seen in other decorations. Boxes that sit in the closet for 11 months, especially those made of cardboard, attract roaches and other bugs. Rodents like to chew on strings like those that house Christmas lights, so make sure to look out for chew marks. Most pests like to live and hide in dark areas, like the place you are most likely keeping your decorations for most of the year.

After the Holidays

One surefire way to attract pests is to skimp on cleaning. When you are ready to take down your tree, make sure to dispose of or store it properly. After removing the decorations, you can put a real tree on the curb for pick-up or bring it to a store like Home Depot for recycling. Once it is out of the house, thoroughly clean the area where it was, making sure to vacuum, sweep and/or mop the area and collecting all stray needles. Allow the Christmas tree stand to dry completely before putting it away. 

At Pro-Staff in Des Moines, we are all about holiday cheer. If pests are getting in your way, we can help bring back the joy of the season. Give us a call at 515-279-7378 or contact us online.