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DATE:      12/14/00
WRITERS:   Eric Benson, (864)656-7860, Clemson Extension specialist
           Pat Zungoli, (864) 656-3137, Clemson Extension specialist 
EDITOR:    Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

Christmas trees can bring more than good cheer

     CLEMSON -- Have you ever wondered what happens to the insects 
that live and feed on Christmas trees after the trees are harvested 
for the holidays? What about the insects on the potted plants and
firewood you bring in when there is a chill in the air?
     Most of them make a quick exit if they can, but a few insects 
are so closely tied to the plants they are on, they may come 
inside. 
     After the tree is trimmed and the holiday decorations are 
hung, two of the most common insects discovered are pine aphids 
and praying mantids - mantids is the plural of mantis.
     Often pine aphids fall from Christmas trees when trees are 
brought into the home, or when they are removed after the 
holidays. Aphids are common plant pests that feed by sucking 
plant fluids. They are not harmful to people, structures or pets.
     Check for aphids on plants and in room areas where Christmas 
trees are displayed. Often, aphids can be removed by hand or by
vacuuming. If you do vacuum, place the vacuum bag in a plastic 
bag and dispose in outdoor trash when you are finished.
     The other common stowaways often found on Christmas trees 
are praying mantis egg cases. By winter, female mantids are 
no longer around, but their egg cases are, often cemented to 
tree branches. Most mantis egg cases spend the winter outdoors 
and begin developing when the temperature begins to warm 
up in the spring.
     However, egg cases don't know the difference between 
springtime temperatures and the warmth of your home. After a 
few weeks in a warm house, the baby mantids can hatch. There 
can be as many as 200 eggs hatching from a single egg case.
     Before you bring your tree into the house, check for egg 
masses. If you find a branch with egg masses, you can clip it 
off and place it in your garden. Next spring when it hatches, 
the offspring may stay around to feed on pests eating your 
vegetables. If the egg case hatches inside your house, you
can sweep the baby mantids into a dustpan and deposit them 
outdoors. 
     While an adult praying mantis could give you little nip, 
the youngsters are not able to bite humans with their small 
mouthparts. 
     Pine aphids, praying mantids and other visitors will 
rarely survive in your house for very long. Usually, no
insecticide is needed. In most cases, vacuuming or sweeping 
up the insects is all that is required. 
     You may find other unexpected guests such as ants, cockroaches, 
or beetles nestled in your home around the holidays. Check your
Christmas tree, plants or firewood.
     If plants are heavily infested, look for insecticide products
labeled for the plants you are treating. Products for plants 
containing insecticides are available at most home centers and 
discount stores. 
     Never spray firewood with insecticide or other pesticides, 
and only keep enough wood in your house for one fire. The rest 
should be stored off the ground, covered with a tarp and at least 
three feet away from you house. 
     Most insects found this time of year are harmless holiday 
visitors hoping to go unnoticed until the spring's thaw.
                  ***************************
     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to PSA 
Media Relations, A-101 Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson 
University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0129. You might also want to 
check out our website at http://www.clemson.edu/psamedia.
                           END