INSECTS ARE INTERESTING

One of our customers brought us an interesting speciment to identify.
At first we couldn't figure out what it was.  It look like a really slow moving insect.  Kind of like a black beetle but it had a very small body (shell) and longer spinkly looking legs.  We thought it was in the beetle or  weavil family. 

Turns out it was Cinara Aphids on the Christmas tree's. 
Large brown and black aphids that feed on conifer tree's including Fraser Firs and White Pines.  They are not harmful, they don't sting or bite.  The worst they do is leave a purple stain.  They appear as the tree begins drying out.

So if you saw any of these little darlings, the good news is that they should have left when the tree left.  If not, the Lady bugs will take care of them.  You can vacuum them up with the suction hose on a vacuum (don't use beeter bar as it may spread purple stains) and you can spray any indoor tree's with household insecticide spray or insecticidal soap.  Keep an eye out next year.