Can I get ticks from my Christmas tree?
It’s that time of year when we see social media warnings about shaking, spraying, or quarantining your fresh-cut Christmas tree because it may harbor ticks that can fall off and bite your family. We are happy to confirm that this is a MYTH. Conifers can’t protect ticks from cold and dry conditions, so most ticks would die in a matter of hours if they were perched in an evergreen tree.
What are the bugs in my Christmas tree?
That doesn’t mean you’re imagining things—tiny pests other than ticks can certainly hitch a ride on your freshly-cut tree or other greenery. If you notice dozens to hundreds of very small “bugs,” the most common culprits are one of several species of aphid, beetle, or spider. Adults may have laid eggs on the tree before winter set in, and moving the tree indoors can fool those eggs into thinking spring has arrived. These hitchhikers can be annoying, but should not pose a threat to people or property; these arthropods are typically “specialists” that feed exclusively on live conifers (at least in their larval stage) or that hunt those conifer-eaters. They will not be able to change their diet to the dead wood in your furniture or fixtures and will not bite people and pets. Seeing a lot of conflicting information online and need another opinion? Check out these articles on holiday tree pests from Iowa State Extension and Penn State Extension.
Are we SURE the bugs in your tree aren’t ticks?
Definitely! In colder and drier weather, ticks need piles of deciduous leaves or similar vegetation to provide many inches of insulation. Your Douglas fir, Virginia pine, or Norway Spruce just don’t offer that sort of protection either in their branches or in the fallen needles underneath. Some research has even found that one of our favorite Christmas tree varieties may kill ticks that try to overwinter in fallen Balsam fir needles and researchers are investigating ways to harness that acaricidal property to make a tick yard spray.
If the woods or farm where you pick up your tree has a mix of conifers and deciduous trees like oaks or maples, it’s good to stay alert for questing ticks in leaf piles. Remember that deer ticks can and will be active in surprisingly cold temperatures, so make sure to check the whole family for ticks after you return from picking out this year’s tree.
Should I spray my Christmas tree to kill insects?
We don’t recommend it. Shaking the tree or rinsing it off with a hose—not to mention the drive home at highway speeds—will usually clear out most of the insects and other debris that might bother you indoors.
If an insecticide is required for peace of mind, make sure it is safe to use indoors and around pets. Remember that some products such as Permethrin can be toxic to cats while the spray is still wet, so if you spray make sure to let the tree dry completely outdoors or in a garage before letting cats near it.