I want a bug-free Christmas tree

[WhyteGoodnite]

Last year I bought a Christmas tree from a local tree farm and it came with a free bonus gift… aphids! They were flying all over the room throughout the holiday and then dying stuck to my lightbulbs. I want to avoid that this year. I feel slightly guilty about not buying local but the disgust at the thought of aphids is outweighint that. (AIBU?)

If not, can someone recommend a supplier (I'm expecting a national firm) that shakes their trees prior to purchase and/or takes other necessary action.

I don't think a pre-shaken tree is an option I've seen anywhere, and you'd be more likely to shake off the needles than the aphids.. might you be more comfortable with a fake one?

Leave it outside overnight for one night. Lets all it's little passengers time to hop off- outside the house!

I always order from Gardening Express. Never had this issue, but I'm worried now I've tempted fate! Someone on recommended a real tree hire firm if you're anywhere near London?
Christmas On The Hill

@Ivesaidenough love the idea of renting a tree, always hate that people buy a real one but it's chopped off at the trunk, no roots, what a waste.

I have no advice, but a couple of years ago we bought a tree from a local Christmas tree farm, and we had very angry ladybirds flying around our living room. They would do quite an aggressive buzz of their wings at us. Perhaps they were in the tree because they had been feasting on aphids?

Never had this issue ever, and always have real trees-for decades!

I grew up rural and will always be a country girl at heart... I just couldn't bring myself to buy a fake one.

Me too… until last year!

They probably were but a swarm of ladybirds is not nice either. Suddenly they are less cute when there are hundreds of them.

Why would they hop off though? I thought it would be more likely to get even more bugs on it!

A tee's roots are as large as its crown. Not very practical if you're talking about putting it in a pot.

Also, Christmas trees are grown for purpose just the same as vegetables are… all of which have parts we don't use. I don't see it as a “waste”.

I leave mine outside in the garden for a while. It usually gets rained on and if not we give it a hose down before it comes in.

Don't they get rained on when they're growing, though? Perhaps the hose will work — I will give it a try. Thanks.

Had real trees for years then one was infested. Ended up taking it back outside qnd washing down with fairy liquid. It was some kind of insect that hatches in warmth of the house.
I went and brought fake one in the sales

My mum goes to farm that has mechanical shaker, she rest for 24 hours and dusts with Diatomaceous Earth, leaves it again then decorates

I was never going to buy a fake tree and then because of my DS astma we did. It’s the MOST managing thing!

@whirlycloud buying a real tree supports tree farmers and is very sustainable. A well managed forest is just as good as a 'wild' one in removing carbon dioxide and supporting wildlife. Plus they can be recycled! No waste at all, not to mention the joy they bring.

This year we've had several sharp frosts that should discourage them.

Last year we didn't have a cold snap until Dec 18th by which time most trees were already inside, with their insect passengers onboard.

I grew up with fake trees (a silver tinsel one) that might even have been from the 1950s but I always wanted a real tree. I did have one for a few years and no bugs but the shed, the lack of smell in most cases and it just never really looking right left me disillusioned. I did end up with a small infestation of bugs from flowers I was given and that did put me off bringing another tree into my house as well. I bought a fake tree that looks very real and its a good one so should last a very long time. I buy pine scented wax melts and it works for me!

Well.thats what we do, as one year there were little flies and bugs on it. Carried it outside , left it for a day. Carried it back in and they had all gone.