The creatures lurking in your Christmas tree: Experts warn firs are crawling with beetles, flies, mites, moths and spiders - here's how to stop them coming in your home

With Christmas less than a month away now, many Brits will be looking forward to putting up their tree.

But as well as festive cheer, your fir could also bring unwanted visitors into your home, an expert has warned.

Sophie Thorogood, a pest prevention specialist at Pest-Stop, says a wide range of creepy crawlies could be secretly stowed away on your Christmas tree.

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. They are 6-8mm long, dark brown and covered in orange hairs. 

If your Christmas tree stands in soil or water, this can become a breeding site for various flies, Ms Thorogood said.

Meanwhile mites are a global pest of spruce, pine and fir trees, sucking sap from needles and shoots which causes mottling and yellowing. Each mite is just 0.5mm long, with eight legs and a hairy body. 

'Your Christmas tree could be full of thousands of insects that are all living in the branches,' a blog post from JG Pest Control reads. 

'While it is lovely to have a stunning Christmas tree from the great outdoors, you need to be careful how much of the great outdoors you bring into your home.'

How to get rid of unwanted Christmas intruders

Give the tree a good shake

Before bringing your tree inside, thoroughly inspect it for visible insects, webs or egg sacs.

'A thorough shake will send any lurking spiders scurrying and help you spot webs or egg clusters tucked between the branches,' Ms Thorogood said.

Remove any webs or cocoons

If you do spot webs or egg sacs, gently remove them using a dusting brush or vacuum. 'Just avoid using harsh chemical sprays, as they can harm your children and pests and may damage the tree,' she added.

Try natural pest control

If you do find unwelcome visitors, reach for natural sprays rather than harsh chemicals.

Check your decoration boxes

Spiders and other insects might not just come from the tree itself – your decoration boxes could also harbour unwelcome bugs, especially if they have been lying dormant since the previous year.

'Open your decoration storage boxes outdoors first and check for any spiders or webs before bringing them inside,' Ms Thorogood added.

Control the humidity

Spiders and other pests thrive in damp, humid conditions. To discourage them from settling in, ensure your Christmas tree area is well-ventilated and the room is kept dry.

Don't panic if you find one

If a spider does find its way into your home, there's no need to worry. These arachnids are completely harmless and won't damage your home or decorations.

'If you do spot one, simply use the glass-and-paper method or a spider vacuum to relocate them outside,' Ms Thorogood suggests. 'They're just looking for somewhere warm to spend winter.'