One TikTokker warned people not to bring potted Christmas trees into their home "under any circumstances".
The classic Christmas tree is one of the most popular festive features. For just £15 in Aldi or £25 in IKEA, you could have your own real Christmas tree in the corner of your living room, the Mirror reports. But the decorative plant brings more than just a fire risk and the nuisance of cleaning up pines. They could also let some unwelcome guests into your home.
Amid videos of decorating the fireplace with a garland and an evergreen tree with lights and baubles, TikTok user Thatweirdcouple shared a public service announcement they'll "post every year for the end of time". Firmly wagging their finger at the camera, one half of the couple insisted "bad things will happen" if you don't follow their advice.
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She said: "This is my annual reminder, do not bring a potted Christmas tree in your house or bad things will happen. That was a tad aggressive, but very needed. These ones are £25, they're little cute ones and they're in a pot. The key is the pot. Do not bring these into your house under any circumstances, and I'll tell you why."
The TikTok video then plays a clip from two Christmases ago, showing insects, some of them dead, all over the furniture and carpet of their home. They said: "I'm not sure why this happens, but in 2020, the tree I had in my lovely sitting room got a bit too warm and all of its inhabitants decided to get off the tree and migrate to somewhere else, or go and die, I don't know. The issue is, they were in my sitting room and my entire sitting room was filled with ticks slash aphids, so please don't do that."
Another social media warned people on Facebook to look out for walnut-sized clumps that look like pine cones on their trees. These could be home to hundreds of praying mantis eggs, leaving your home infested with the insects over Christmas if you don't find the sacs before they hatch.
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