Urgent warning your Christmas tree could be hiding horrible critters, according to pest control expert
A PEST control expert has warned of a series of horrible critters that could be hiding in your Christmas tree.
Stuart Halliday, 42, owner of Pest Control, is warning Brits to be extra cautious over the festive season.
Spiders, mites, rats and mice could be taking cover in your yuletide evergreen.
Here Stuart tells The Sun what exactly how to get rid of them...
BUGS
Most Christmas tree bugs don’t live off the tree, only in it. Once their habitat is changed, they will die due to a lack of food and proper humidity.
One way to avoid the problem is to inspect around the tree's base of branches with a bright torch to make sure they aren't visibly present on the trunk.
MORE ON CHRISTMAS
Some Christmas tree supplies also have a tree shaker you can ask it to be shaken vigorously before purchasing.
If they don’t, you could keep your Christmas tree in your garage or your shed a few days prior to bringing it into the house.
MICE
The bigger issue is letting mice in. This time of year is when bug experts get the most calls about mice, says Stuart.
People can go up to their loft to take down their decorations and find that their Christmas decorations have been munched or they find a few mouse droppings.
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Mice numbers can also increase because families are all leaving more food out.
Brits are putting out Roses and Quality Streets on the table - filling up waste bins quicker and giving extra food to mice.
CHRISTMAS TREE CRITTERS
1. Adelgids
2. Aphids
3. Sawflies
4. Spiders & Mites
5. Psocids
6. Pine needle scale
7. Mice
The critters can also take cover in Christmas trees, attracted by the candy canes and dark, warm spaces.
Stuart's advice is to not go crazy with poison.
The best thing you can do is take a bit of whatever they’ve taken a shine to and have been nibbling on and put it in a trap.
So maybe a bit of a Quality Street or some candy cane - whatever it may be.