Unwanted 'Presents' Under And On The Christmas Tree - by Michael Waldvogel and Patricia Alder

Most of us are familiar with aphids which are the small, often greenish colored insects that feed on a wide variety of plants. They leave the deposits of sugary honeydew on foliage that attract ants. Aphids have piercing-sucking mouthparts that they use to pierce and suck the juices out of plants.

Cinara conifer aphids (Photo: Whitney Cranshaw)

Cinara aphids (i.e., in the taxonomic genus Cinara) are among the largest aphids. They are 1/8"-1/4" in length and their bodies vary in color from green to brown to black and many have distinct markings. Most aphids are wingless but at various times of the year, winged individuals will appear within a given generation.

The Cinara aphids are also called "Cinara conifer aphids" because they attack a wide variety of conifers (pines, spruces, firs, etc.) and are typically species specific, i.e., a particular species of Cinara aphid will attack a particular species of conifer.

So, why are we talking about aphids now? We don't tend to see aphids in the winter, right? That's mostly true, but many of us have already or will be purchasing Christmas trees this holiday season, and guess what? These aphids are commonly found on Christmas trees. Once the tree has been decorated and is sitting in the living room near the warmth of the open fire where you've hung your stockings with care, the aphids become active and will often drop from the branches and onto the floor, gifts, cat, etc. that are beneath the tree. People often wonder if these aphids bite. Fortunately, you have nothing to worry about, unless you're a Fraser (not "Frasier") fir.

So what do you do if you end up having these unwanted critters on your Christmas tree? Just vacuum them up, but don't suck up that ugly dough ornament that your kid made in the 2nd grade; he/she will never forgive you for it even though you've been looking for an excuse to trash it. Don't squash the aphids, as they may leave a purplish stain.

As for spraying pesticides - if you "Google" 'Cinara', you'll stumble across a publication on another NCSU website (not mine) that suggests setting off a fogger in the room or spraying the affected tree with any common household insecticide (after unplugging lights and any electric ornaments). I have had a discussion with the author previously about this advice because I think fogging will not kill the aphids on a decorated tree and spraying the branches with 'Raid', 'Enforcer', etc. is a bad idea. Why? Who is likely to come into contact with those lower treated branches (and now-contaminated ornaments) - little kids and pets (admit it, you've all seen a cat hack up a hairball with tinsel in it, not to mention the glimmering dog poo in the backyard).

A colleague of mine has pointed out an instance (not in NC) where a homeowner became irate at finding these aphids streaming off of his tree. He dragged the tree out of his house and in the process, injured himself. Yes... he sued the Christmas tree grower (and probably the poor guy who operated the sales lot near his house).  And yes… he was successful! As a result, my colleague recommends treating the trees. That’s fine for her to recommend to the growers but I have extreme reservations about certain types of treatments for trees that are being used indoors as Christmas trees (as I mentioned above).

We’ve seen plenty of such inane lawsuits, but if you feel you must spray something, use insecticidal soap. You can buy one of the commercial products such as "Safer" brand. You can try making your own batch using a liquid soap or even a pure Castille soap. Mix one teaspoon in a quart of water and apply it in a spray bottle. Do not use one of those extra strength, grease-cutting detergents because they might discolor the tree needles. And yes... the obvious - unplug the lights before spraying and let everything dry before turning the lights back on. Even if you use the soap solution, the effectiveness will likely be limited by the amount of decorations that you have on the tree that quite obviously impede the dispersal of the spray.

If all else fails, just remember that this is temporary (the aphids will leave when the tree does). Try to ignore the aphids, drink some 1000 calorie egg-nog with or without alcohol (the latter will help with ignoring bugs on the Christmas tree) and you should enjoy the holiday quite nicely!

Green Pesticides, Natural Pesticides: What Are They and Do They Work?

The term "green" has become a big buzz-word in the pest management industry. So what exactly is a green or natural pesticide? Green or natural pesticides are pesticides derived from substances found in nature. These may include pesticides derived from inorganic minerals - like boric acid, limestone, and diatomaceous earth - as well as pesticides derived from botanicals, such as pyrethrum and limonene. Today, more than ever, people are concerned about the impacts traditional, synthetic pesticides may have on the environment. So it's easy to see why people want to use green pesticides.

What you need to know is that while many green "spray" pesticides work on contact, they have little to no effect once they dry. In other words, they don't persist in the environment for very long; that's part of what makes them "environmentally friendly!" So if you're using a natural or green spray pesticide, for best results, you need to spray the bug directly. This is okay if you're dealing with an occasional cricket, ant, or other insect that wonders in. But in some cases, you may need to use a pesticide that persists a little longer.

Some of the naturally derived dusts, such as boric acid and diatomaceous earth, do have a long-lasting effect (if they are not displaced after application). But NEVER use pool grade diatomaceous earth; it is an inhalation hazard and should only be used for swimming pools. To be sure you're using the right product, only use pesticides registered with the EPA. And you should always use caution when applying dusts. Follow the label instructions carefully and always wear gloves and a dust mask. Indoors, dusts should be applied in cracks & crevices and voids, NOT along baseboards or other open places. Many dusts can be applied outdoors as well, but again, follow the label instructions. To avoid drift, never apply dust in windy conditions. 

Many of the synthetic pesticides also have longer residual activity. There are certain instances when it's necessary to use a pesticide that will persist in the environment for some time. For example, with pests like bed bugs, which spend most of their time hiding in cracks and crevices, a longer-lasting pesticide will most likely be necessary. After all, how can you spray bed bugs directly with a green pesticide if you never see them?

Really, it's a delicate balancing act. So, here's my advice when it comes to using pesticides, whether it be green or synthetic:

• First, take steps to eliminate potential food and water sources, limit harborage areas, and pest-proof buildings to keep pests out.
• Use insect baits preferentially over other pest management products (when dealing with roaches and ants). 
• "Green" spray insecticides can be used as contact sprays to apply directly to insects.
• "Green" insecticidal dusts can be used in cracks & crevices and voids. Always apply dust in a thin, even manner - don't dump it in piles - insects will actually avoid piles of dust. 
• If you deem it's necessary to use a conventional, synthetic pesticide, ALWAYS read and follow the label instructions carefully. Try to limit your applications to cracks & crevices and avoid broadcast applications indoors. This will limit the potential risk of exposure to you and your family. 
• If you're having a severe problem, for example with cockroaches or bed bugs, considering hiring a pest management professional. They will have the expertise and training necessary to effectively manage pests. If you need help selecting a pest control service, see our fact sheet: Tips on Selecting Pest Control Services.

In general, green pesticides are less toxic than conventional, synthetic pesticides. But as with ANY pesticide, green pesticides can be toxic if not used properly. Just because the active ingredient is "all natural," it's not okay to use more or in areas not listed on the label. Always read and follow label instructions, regardless of what type of pesticide you choose.

Insect of the Week - The Camel Cricket

Camel cricket
(Photo: David Cappaert, Michigan State University)

Camel crickets are one of those insects that are just so icky to me! The crickets are so-named because of their slightly hump-backed appearance. Adults are 1"-1.5" long. Their long legs give them a creepy, spider-like appearance. Interestingly, camel crickets do not "sing" or "chirp" like most other crickets do. And unlike other crickets, camel crickets do not have wings as adults.

Camel crickets are usually associated with cool, damp, dark places. Outdoors, they can be found under stones and logs, in stacks of firewood or other debris, or in leaf litter. Areas that are overgrown with thick vegetation, such as ivy and other ground cover provide excellent hiding places. Camel crickets often inhabit moist, humid areas in and around our home, such as crawlspaces, basements, garages, and other indoor areas where moisture may be a problem. A telltale sign of a heavy infestation is the presence of dark fecal smears on surfaces (such as on the floor joist in the picture below).

Like other crickets, camel crickets will invade buildings in the fall seeking suitable places to pass the winter. In these cases, they often remain in basements or crawlspaces and seldom damage items in the home. Although they are mostly a nuisance pest, camel crickets can damage stored items, such as garments and linens packed in boxes in a garage or basement, if the problem goes unchecked for some time and the crickets cannot find suitable food.

Controlling camel crickets.
Because moisture is such an important requirement for camel cricket survival, reducing the number of moist habitats is essential for good, long-term control. Doing what you can to prevent crickets from entering the structure is also important. Following a few simple steps can accomplish both strategies and will go a long way in effectively controlling these crickets.

• Keep weeds and tall grass next to the building mowed.
• If possible, keep mulch, thick ground covers, and shrubs away from the foundation wall.
• Store lumber, fire wood, and other wood piles away from the foundation.
• Make sure windows have screens that fit properly and are not torn.
• Install weather-stripping around all doors and windows.
• Seal small openings on the outside of the home with caulk.
• Install screen on crawlspace and dryer vents.
• Make sure crawlspaces and basements are properly ventilated to reduce moisture.
• Any boxes stored in basements or garages should be stacked away from the wall. If possible, stack the boxes on pallets.
• Camel crickets that make their way inside can be vacuumed up, squashed (yuck), or placed outdoors.
• If you have a cat or dog, they may take care of the camel cricket for you; mine always do!