Image Source: Flickr user Carol Fernandez [0]

If you're struggling to decide whether to buy a real or artificial Christmas tree [1], here's a new piece of information that may help you decide: real Christmas trees are overrun with microscopic bugs! In fact, there could be up to 25,000 bugs in a single tree [2]. The seven most common types are aphids, tiny spiders and mites, adelgids, pine needle scales (white specs that hatch into tiny red bugs), sawflies, praying mantises, and bark beetles. Yuck!

Before you banish fresh pine trees from your home forever, however, consider that these bugs are not harmful to people and usually die off pretty quickly after you bring the tree into your home. And there are a few things you can do to prevent these unwanted pests from making their way into your home to begin with.

When you're picking out a tree, take a close look at the trunk and undersides of branches, picking off any with egg cases. If you notice lots of bugs on the tree, skip it and pick another. Before bringing the tree into your home, give it a good shake so some of the bugs fall off and then let it sit in the garage for a minimum of 24 hours. For a more aggressive extermination, you can spray the tree with Safer Brand's neem oil [3].

For more tips and tricks visit Safer Brand [4]'s website and check out its detailed infographic below.