December 9, 2022, 11:39 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Despite numerous alternatives, a real Christmas tree remains the most popular choice. After all, it brings a wonderful scent into the home. However, it also brings tens of thousands of insects. Here’s how to get rid of these unwanted guests.
Christmas without a fir tree is like an Advent calendar without chocolate–incomplete. However, researchers at the University of Bergen in Norway have discovered that many thousands of insects reside in a Christmas tree. When you bring the real tree into the living room, the critters move in with it.
Up to 25,000 Insects Live in a Christmas Tree
Studies have shown that up to 25,000 critters can live in a single Christmas tree. These include lice, mites, moths, spiders, and even ticks. Why do so many insects retreat to the firs? It’s simple: They hibernate in the branches. And that’s where the problem lies, because when the trees are brought into the home, the temperatures rise, and the creatures wake up.
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What Can Be Done About the Insects in the Christmas Tree?
It’s understandable that many find the idea of thousands of critters in their home unpleasant. However, there’s some reassurance: While the insects do crawl down from the Christmas tree and search for food nearby, they usually don’t find any and quickly starve. This means that Christmas tree owners simply need to vacuum thoroughly and regularly to remove their remains.
Note: Only ticks can become dangerous. Therefore, it’s important to regularly check the skin and exercise special caution with children.
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Can the Insects Be Avoided?
If you’re not satisfied with that, you can follow these tips:
- Before setting up the Christmas tree in the home, it should be stored elsewhere, such as in the garage or basement. It’s important that this place is already warmer so that the insects awaken from hibernation and crawl down from the branches.
- Shake the tree vigorously before loading it onto the car and placing it in the home. It’s best to knock the trunk on the ground several times, causing most of the insects to fall off.
- Besides the classic Christmas tree, there are now several alternatives–such as a plastic tree, a potted room fir, or even an alternative DIY Christmas tree. Maybe it’s time to try something new this year?