Do you really need to wash your Christmas tree before bringing it inside?

2 months ago 3

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You’re ready to haul out the vintage star topper, the handmade ornaments and the twinkle lights. But wait! Before you bring your live Christmas tree indoors, should you wash it? A viral trend says you absolutely need to wash your tree so that you don’t bring any bugs indoors. But does washing your Christmas tree really accomplish anything? Related video above: Christmas tree sellers want you to know these very specific thingsIt’s true that you may have some hitchhikers on your live tree. After all, it’s a living plant that was growing in the forest or on the Christmas tree farm until recently. But chances are, whatever is hiding in the branches isn’t a big deal. “The insects that live on Christmas trees are not serious pests that are dangerous to your home or people and pets,” says Eric Benson, Ph.D., professor emeritus and extension entomologist at Clemson University. “It’s not like you’re bringing in bed bugs or pests that cause structural damage to your home on a Christmas tree.”Plus, while you may not love the idea of anything riding indoors, these pests are not going to start reproducing indoors — and they are not going to last long because it’s too hot and there’s no food. “The sorts of things that might be on your tree tend to be soft and squishy, like aphids, so they desiccate quickly,” says Faith Oi, Ph.D., entomologist and extension professor at the University of Florida. “Anecdotally, they’ll probably just dry up within a day or two and die.”If you’re still freaked out, read on to learn if you should wash your tree before you bring it indoors:What kinds of bugs are on Christmas trees?Depending on where you live, several different types of pests may be found on Christmas trees, according to Benson and Oi: Aphids — Cinara aphids are large, reaching up to ¼ an inch. They’re black or brownish and pear-shaped with long legs, so they get mistaken for ticks. Praying mantis — You may see root beer-like foam on branches, which is an egg case. Stinkbugs — They’re flat and prehistoric-looking and accidentally hitchhike indoors. Adelgids — These tiny insects feed on tree parts and secrete a white, wooly substance that looks like tree flocking. Spiders — You may see a tiny ball about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch in diameter, which is an egg case that may hatch baby spiders Spotted lanternfly — You may find this invasive pest's brown egg masses, which resemble mud smears, on the trunk or branches. These may hatch in a few weeks (Read more about spotted lanternflies here) Should you wash your Christmas tree?Despite the fact that some (or none) of these bugs might be on your tree, washing your tree is probably, well, overkill. Both of our experts say while it’s probably not harmful if you want to spray it off, it’s also probably not necessary. In our heated homes and without food, many of these insects are going to die quickly, and you can simply vacuum them up, says Oi. Plus, egg cases of insects, such as the spotted lanternfly, are sticky and won’t come off without some manual scraping. Finally, for those of us who live in cold climates, the idea of hosing off a Christmas tree isn’t practical. What to do instead of washing your treeIf you’re determined not to bring in any bugs (and good luck with that, since it’s a natural product), there are a few things you can do to reduce the chances of uninvited guests, according to Benson and Oi: Have the tree shaken at the tree farm or lot. This will dislodge most of these bugs. Use a leaf blower. This also helps remove some hitchhikers. Inspect your tree, including the trunk, branches and needles. If you see anything that resembles a frothy substance (praying mantis eggs), cut the twig and place it outdoors in a sheltered area so that they may hatch outdoors in the spring. Look for spotted lanternfly egg cases. If you see brown smears that resemble mud, scrape them off and discard them in a plastic bag because this destructive and invasive species is spreading rapidly. Vacuum up any critters you see. Use a shop vacuum to suck up spiders and aphids (don’t squish them; they can stain fabrics). Never use pesticides. These bugs are going to die soon, so it’s not worth exposing your family and pets to these chemicals.

Related video above: Christmas tree sellers want you to know these very specific things

It’s true that you may have some hitchhikers on your live tree. After all, it’s a living plant that was growing in the forest or on the Christmas tree farm until recently. But chances are, whatever is hiding in the branches isn’t a big deal.

“The insects that live on Christmas trees are not serious pests that are dangerous to your home or people and pets,” says Eric Benson, Ph.D., professor emeritus and extension entomologist at Clemson University. “It’s not like you’re bringing in bed bugs or pests that cause structural damage to your home on a Christmas tree.”

Plus, while you may not love the idea of anything riding indoors, these pests are not going to start reproducing indoors — and they are not going to last long because it’s too hot and there’s no food. “The sorts of things that might be on your tree tend to be soft and squishy, like aphids, so they desiccate quickly,” says Faith Oi, Ph.D., entomologist and extension professor at the University of Florida. “Anecdotally, they’ll probably just dry up within a day or two and die.”

If you’re still freaked out, read on to learn if you should wash your tree before you bring it indoors:

should you wash christmas tree

What kinds of bugs are on Christmas trees?

Depending on where you live, several different types of pests may be found on Christmas trees, according to Benson and Oi:

Aphids — Cinara aphids are large, reaching up to ¼ an inch. They’re black or brownish and pear-shaped with long legs, so they get mistaken for ticks.
Praying mantis — You may see root beer-like foam on branches, which is an egg case.
Stinkbugs — They’re flat and prehistoric-looking and accidentally hitchhike indoors.
Adelgids — These tiny insects feed on tree parts and secrete a white, wooly substance that looks like tree flocking.
Spiders — You may see a tiny ball about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch in diameter, which is an egg case that may hatch baby spiders
Spotted lanternfly — You may find this invasive pest's brown egg masses, which resemble mud smears, on the trunk or branches. These may hatch in a few weeks (Read more about spotted lanternflies here)

should you wash christmas tree

Getty ImagesBlake Kent / Design Pics

Should you wash your Christmas tree?

Despite the fact that some (or none) of these bugs might be on your tree, washing your tree is probably, well, overkill. Both of our experts say while it’s probably not harmful if you want to spray it off, it’s also probably not necessary.

In our heated homes and without food, many of these insects are going to die quickly, and you can simply vacuum them up, says Oi. Plus, egg cases of insects, such as the spotted lanternfly, are sticky and won’t come off without some manual scraping.

Finally, for those of us who live in cold climates, the idea of hosing off a Christmas tree isn’t practical.

What to do instead of washing your tree

If you’re determined not to bring in any bugs (and good luck with that, since it’s a natural product), there are a few things you can do to reduce the chances of uninvited guests, according to Benson and Oi:

Have the tree shaken at the tree farm or lot. This will dislodge most of these bugs.
Use a leaf blower. This also helps remove some hitchhikers.
Inspect your tree, including the trunk, branches and needles. If you see anything that resembles a frothy substance (praying mantis eggs), cut the twig and place it outdoors in a sheltered area so that they may hatch outdoors in the spring.
Look for spotted lanternfly egg cases. If you see brown smears that resemble mud, scrape them off and discard them in a plastic bag because this destructive and invasive species is spreading rapidly.
Vacuum up any critters you see. Use a shop vacuum to suck up spiders and aphids (don’t squish them; they can stain fabrics).
Never use pesticides. These bugs are going to die soon, so it’s not worth exposing your family and pets to these chemicals.