No Christmas tree will have every pest on the following list. In fact, most will be free of these hitchhikers. Occasionally, however, one or more of the following may find its way into your home on your tree. This is probably due to the pine bark adelgid, a tiny, apidlike, sucking insect that secretes cottony wax filaments over its body. Aphids Occasionally, aphids will hatch from Christmas trees in sufficient numbers to cause alarm.
Most aphids are tiny, inactive, and usually go unnoticed.
Most forms, especially those of early generations, are wingless and remain active throughout their lives. With their brownish or blackish coloration and long legs, Cinara aphids may be mistaken for small spiders or ticks. Aphids, however, have only six legs, while spiders and ticks have eight. Also, these insects do not produce silk or webs, typical of spiders. On true firs, balsam twigs aphid may occur.