"From beetles to flies, moths and spiders, firs can be magnets for creepy crawlies. 'We've seen significantly higher insect numbers throughout 2025 due to the warm weather,' she said. 'There's a good chance your Christmas tree could be carrying some unexpected passengers.' Despite the potential for more insects this year, there's no need to skip the real tree tradition, she explained. It only takes a few extra precautions to ensure your celebrations remain pest-free."
"Following an unusually warm summer that saw ladybirds and wasp numbers soar, spider populations have also increased. The eight-legged insects are one of the most common pests found on freshly-cut Christmas trees, and lay eggs which can hatch once inside the warm house. Tiny aphids, just 1-2mm long, are dark green, sap-feeding insects that also love to call trees home. One species commonly linked to Christmas trees is the green spruce aphid, which can cause needles to turn yellow and drop. Trees also offer a natural hideaway for beetles, with the spruce bark beetle commonly found on Christmas trees. Meanwhile mites are a global pest of spruce, pine and fir trees, sucking sap from needles and shoots which causes mottling and yellowing."
Warm weather throughout 2025 increased insect numbers, raising the likelihood that freshly-cut Christmas trees will harbour pests. Common visitors include spiders, beetles (including spruce bark beetle), moths, flies, tiny aphids and sap-sucking mites. Spiders can lay eggs that hatch indoors, aphids can cause needle yellowing and drop, and mites cause mottling and damage to shoots. Trees standing in soil or water can become breeding sites for flies. A higher insect presence does not require abandoning real trees; taking a few additional precautions can keep homes and celebrations pest-free.
Read at Mail Online
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