If you've decked your halls with live plants, you may have brought home some unwanted surprises.
The Invasive Species Centre warns that Christmas trees, wreaths, and other natural decor could hide invasive insects, eggs, and plants that pose a threat to local ecosystems.
According to the organization, Christmas trees should be inspected for egg masses laid by the spongy moth or the spotted lanternfly.
The spongy moth is a significant threat to trees across Canada. As caterpillars, they're also considered a human health risk as their hairs can cause rashes and irritation.
Spongy moths lay tanned yellow, spongy masses, which have a texture compared to the felt of a tennis ball and typically contain 100-1,000 eggs.
If you find an egg mass, call the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711. Then using a knife or scraper carefully remove the mass, soak it in a mixture of dish soap and water for 48 hours, and dispose of it.
The spotted lanternfly is a regulated pest under the Plant Protection Act, with the potential to devastate grape and wine production.
Spotted lanternfly egg masses look like a smear of grey-brown mud.
If you spot one, take a picture, scrape the egg mass into a plastic bag filled with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol, seal it, and report it to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Wreaths and other natural decor can also contain invasive plants such as common buckthorn, English ivy, English holly, invasive bittersweet, and invasive barberry.
These types of plants can spread, outcompete native species, and degrade wildlife habitats.
Click here for more information about invasive species and how to deal with them.
