Rodents Living in Christmas Tree

Rats Nesting in Christmas Trees?

 Can pests’ nest in Christmas Trees?

A common way for pests to find their way into your home during the holidays is through Christmas trees, wreaths, or firewood. Everything from rats, mice, moths, ants, ticks, and more can nestle themselves deep in the branches and crevices of trees and wood. In extreme cases, rodents can nest at the center of a Christmas tree. These shifty creatures will forage through presents, eat the cookies left for Santa and even make themselves comfy in your kitchen.

Real Christmas trees come from farms and lots before becoming the celebratory centerpieces of homes and offices. While in these environments, wildlife such as rodents can crawl up the trunks and nest in the branches. Although thorough inspections are usually performed after harvest, it is possible for pests to still be in a tree that has been purchased, set up, and decorated for Christmas.

What about Artificial Christmas Trees?

Artificial trees are usually kept in your basement, crawlspace, or attic for 11 months of the year when they are not being used. It is the perfect place for a bug to nest and lay eggs every year.

What to do before putting up the tree:

·        Storing your artificial tree inside of an airtight container is the best way to prevent infestations. Simply put, bugs cannot get into these containers while the tree if in storage.

·        Always unpack your tree outside and shake it vigorously to make sure there are no bugs or pests living in the tree.

·        Vacuum each branch as you are unpacking the tree.

·        Visually inspect the branches and the tree trunk before you set your tree up inside.

 

Universal Insulation Doctor serving Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Williamsburg and surrounding cities.

 

What else Should I look for during the holidays?

Ticks in Christmas trees? Some have been reported and it’s been unseasonably warm this year, but they’re usually in sleep mode when the tree is brought into the house and dead by the time the tree leaves the house after Christmas.

If you find a bird nest on your tree, you should remove it by hand since it may contain bird parasites like mites and lice. Egg masses on trees (from insects such as praying mantis and gypsy moth), if not removed by shaking, should also be carefully removed by hand.

Spiders can take up residence among your Christmas decoration storage, but they are also likely to come inside on holiday wreaths and freshly cut Christmas trees. Not only can the spiders themselves hitch a ride inside on the branches of your trees and wreaths, but they may lay eggs that can hatch once inside. It is rare that you will encounter a spider in the U.S. that can harm most people, but they will spread throughout the house if possible, leaving nasty cobwebs and appearing at the most inopportune moments.

About Universal Pest & Termite

Universal Pest & Termite Inc. - We specialize in pest control for ants, termites, spiders and rodents (Mice | Rats). We also offer moisture control, structural repairs, home insulation services and air duct cleaning. Universal Pest & Termite specializes in termite inspections as well as termite protection and termite warranties. All pest and termite services come with our No-Hassle guarantee. If the bugs come back, so do we. Free of charge.

 

 

Our exclusive Pest Guard Insulation

Many companies will claim to have “pest control insulation”; but do they? Did you know that most cellulose insulation products already contain a boric-acid blend to make the insulation fire-proof? This alone does not meet our standards with regards to controlling unwanted pest in your attic such as roaches, ants and silverfish. Our exclusive Pest Guard Insulation service is a cellulose insulation product that we then treat with a borate to boost the level of effectiveness. Although this product will not affect wildlife, it will upon contact help control most insects in your attic. These insects, if left untreated, can carry disease, damage wallpaper and contaminate your kitchen. Universal Pest & Termite and Universal Insulation Doctor understand unwanted pest in your home can affect the health of your family and home including pets.