How To Keep Your Christmas Tree Bug-Free Through The Holidays

There's few feelings in life more satisfying than finding the perfect Christmas tree to bring home for the holidays. But if you're not careful, you could be bringing in some unwanted pests with it. Here are some tips to help keep your Christmas tree bug-free all through the holiday season.

According to Nielsen Research data published by the American Christmas Tree Association, over 21 million real Christmas trees will be bought for the holidays. This is nearly double the amount of artificial trees projected to be bought this year.

There are many upsides and downsides to having either kind of tree in your home. Sure, the artificial trees may not feel as authentically Christmassy as a real fine hunk of pine would. But what real Christmas trees have working against them is the ever-looming threat of bugs and pests lurking beneath.

Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate that threat so you don't have to worry about bugs disrupting your holiday. In an interview with health info site Prevention, entomologist Chad Gore, Ph.D., shares some insights in how to prevent a pest infestation within your Christmas tree.

First, you should carefully inspect the tree and try to eyeball any creepy crawlers before putting it on your car and in your home. "It’s never a bad idea to take along a bright flashlight with you as you select your tree,” suggests Gore. "Shine the light onto the trunk of the tree at several points and look for insects or eggs."

Gore also provides tips for where you would be likely to find bugs on your tree. "Scale insects and aphids are sap-feeding insects that can be found on the trunk, limbs, and the woody parts of the tree. This is also where you’ll find bark beetles and psocids."

It's also suggested that you give the tree a good shake to clear out any loose bugs trying to hide. Some tree shops may even have a mechanical shaker you can use, but of course you can always use brute strength and force to shake it yourself.

These preventative measures should ostensibly be enough to keep your Christmas tree bug-free. But what do you do if you were to find bugs burrowing in your beautifully ornate Christmas tree?

Your instinct might be to squish them, but don't do that. Some bugs are able to release eggs upon being crushed. The solution is quite simple: use a vacuum! Combing through your tree with a high-strength vac should be able to clear out virtually every kind of bug plaguing your tree.

In summary, if you inspect your tree closely you should be able to spot any bugs that might be there. And even if you do spot a few on there after you have it set up, a simple run with a vacuum should take care of them.

Abiding by these steps will help ensure that you and your family don't receive any unwelcome guests for the holidays. Well, besides the in-laws of course.

It's time to get holly and/or jolly out here! The holiday events season is upon us in the city of Fayetteville. And if you're looking for wonderful ways for to get into the holiday spirit, check out this list of all the best, most Christmas-y local events!

Fayetteville is certainly well-acquainted with fun and unique holiday celebrations. The 24th annual "A Dickens Holiday" just took place late last week to get the ball rolling, and of course the Holiday Lights in the Garden is set to kick off later this week.

These are just a couple of the ways the community is decking the halls. There are countless other local events taking place over the next few weeks, every one of them in the name of spreading Christmas cheer to all.

So let's take a look at all the festive fun you and your crew can have in and around Fayetteville on the way to Christmas. Ho-ho-here we go!

Witness the enchantment unfold as our majestic tree illuminates the night sky, filling our town with warmth and joy. It’s a sight you won’t want to miss!

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Christmas in the Park is a free drive-thru light show featuring a beautiful combination of holiday-themed displays, a festival of lights and a natural woodland spanning 100 acres adjacent to the Cape Fear River.   

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REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom.

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Sacred Heart Catholic Church will host its first Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, with 15 vendors, a bake sale and present wrapping station.

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December 2, 2023 from 12pm-3pm bring a toy to fill up a truck while sipping on complimentary mimosas and tapas. Santa Claus will also be there for pictures!

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Join Dirtbag Ales in Hope Mills to kick off the holiday season with your choice of food trucks, homemade treats, fresh Gluhwein and craft beer.

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Fort Liberty's own 82nd Airborne Division will host an afternoon of holiday cheer for the whole family!

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Local vendors, photos with Santa, free haircut for kids, and so much more! Admission is free for this wonderful holiday event.

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Spring Lake Recreation is hosting Breakfast with Santa from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Spring Lake Multipurpose Community Center.

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The annual Fayetteville Christmas Parade hits Hay Street December 9 starting at 10 o'clock!

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https://www.capefearbg.org/event/holiday-lights-in-the-garden/

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Holiday Lights!” Holiday Lights in the Garden is Fayetteville’s ORIGINAL Holiday Lights event.

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Haymount UMC Children and Families Ministries invites you to experience the Nativity story on this first day of Advent with fellowship, fun and family.

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https://greenberetjinglejog.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx

The in-person 5K/10K race will be held at DirtBag Ales @ 5435 Corporation Drive Hopemills, NC 28348.

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Get ready to experience the magic of the holiday season as Santa Claus and his workshop come to Rockfish Market in Raeford!

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Create a memory this Christmas that is sure to last a lifetime at Boondocks Adventure Farm! Now with Santa’s Boondock Magical Elevator! 

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https://townofhopemills.com/516/Christmas-at-the-Lake

The Town Christmas Tree will be lit between 5:45pm - 6:00 pm so bring your chairs, blankets, and cozy up while listening to Christmas music. Enjoy dinner, hot chocolate, and desserts.

Click here for details.