Laura is a writer, illustrator, and artist living in New York City.

Christmastime is a favorite part of the year for many people. You get to spend time with friends and family, eat delicious food, and turn your home into a magical little wonderland for a while.


It’s pretty great!

That is, except when your magical wonderland gets invaded by gross, uninvited guests. We’re not talking about that weird branch of the family — we’re talking about bugs.

Many people don’t think bugs are an issue in the winter, but they definitely can be. After all, it’s cold out, and so bugs are looking for a nice, warm place to camp.

What’s more, tree-dwelling insects will go dormant in the cold, kind of like hibernating. However, once they’re inside your warm living room, they’ll come back to life.


Plus, bugs have a nasty knack for turning up just about anywhere, no matter how bizarre.

If you have a fake tree, you probably don’t need to worry about insects too much (although it’s a good idea to check, just in case) — but if you prefer the piney scent of the real deal, it’s a good idea to know what to look for, and how to deal with the issue.

[H/T: Realtor, Good Housekeeping]