SNEAD, Ala. — It’s not unusual for unexpected guests to drop in for Christmas, but a northern Alabama family was a little bit bugged by their uninvited visitors this year.
Rebecca Howard, of Snead, said her family purchased a live Christmas tree the week before Thanksgiving in Marshall County, WSFA-TV reported.
“When we bought our tree, the guy said, “Yeah, there was a tree over there with a praying mantis nest in it,” Howard told the television station.
A north Alabama family regrets buying a real Christmas tree after finding some creepy crawlers along with it. https://t.co/peyWfeaeFk
— WSFA 12 News (@wsfa12news) December 23, 2022
Family members were concerned about having the predatory insect in their tree but did not give it much thought until Thursday.
But the mantises apparently hatched on Wednesday and were making their presence known the next morning.
“I first saw one on our baseboard in our kitchen and then another on our dog treat container and then started looking around,” Howard told WSFA. “I immediately freaked out when I saw five on our ceiling above the tree, then probably 15 on just one curtain panel!”
Howard estimated that there were at least 100 of the bugs in her home. She immediately tried to get rid of them, but there were too many.
“I had my husband come home early from work to help me throw the tree out,” Howard told WSFA. “I quickly and carefully took down the ornaments, and we tossed the tree outside.”
Howard said she has learned her lesson. No matter how beautiful and fragrant a live tree might be, said she was going to using an artificial tree next Christmas, according to the television station.
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