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Are there ticks in the Christmas tree in the living room?

Are there ticks in the Christmas tree in the living room?

(AP Photo/Victoria Arocho, File) The Christmas tree in your living room likely isn’t harbouring unwanted holiday visitors. But the fear that ticks are lurking among the tinsel and ornaments is real, according to Mike Keddy, president of the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia.

Who are the cats that climb the Christmas tree?

Their now two cats, Sugar and Spice, love to climb the Christmas trees every year and nestle in its branches to watch the lights. One Christmas, John walked in to find Spice had reached the top of the 9-foot tree.

Are there ticks in the Christmas tree in Nova Scotia?

But the fear that ticks are lurking among the tinsel and ornaments is real, according to Mike Keddy, president of the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia. Keddy said last year producers regularly heard from customers worried about bringing home blacklegged ticks, which can carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Is it possible to keep cats out of Christmas trees?

While it might appear to be near impossible to keep your cat (especially younger kitties) out of your Christmas tree, it is possible to alleviate the issues that might come with a curious climbing kitty. Cat behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett offers several ways to keep cats and Christmas trees safe this holiday season.

Are there ticks that live in Christmas trees?

In fact: Ticks don’t live in trees, and they don’t lay eggs in trees. They dehydrate too easily, so they stay closer to the moist ground. They aren’t found in Christmas trees, period. But they can lay dormant in piles of leaves and survive the winter.

Their now two cats, Sugar and Spice, love to climb the Christmas trees every year and nestle in its branches to watch the lights. One Christmas, John walked in to find Spice had reached the top of the 9-foot tree.

While it might appear to be near impossible to keep your cat (especially younger kitties) out of your Christmas tree, it is possible to alleviate the issues that might come with a curious climbing kitty. Cat behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett offers several ways to keep cats and Christmas trees safe this holiday season.

What happens if a cat eats a pine tree?

Ingesting pine needles can cause liver damage or even death, according to cat behavior expert Marilyn Krieger. She tells Petcha that needles can puncture intestines, and an artificial tree’s needles can cause an intestinal blockage. Needles aren’t the only toxic concern around a live Christmas tree.