Invasive species could be hiding in your holiday decor [Video]

As we enter the holiday season and decorate our homes with Christmas trees and wreaths, invasive species could be hiding in your holiday decor and pose a threat to the health of your decorations, the economy and yourself.

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The Invasive Species Centre (ISC), a not-for-profit organization that works to protect the environment and economy against invasive species, says Christmas trees “should be inspected for egg masses laid by invasive spongy moths and spotted lanternflies.”

According to the ISC, the spongy moth is a significant threat to trees across Canada and can cause heavy defoliation, tree mortality, lost revenue in the forest industry and human health risks like rash and irritation. As for the spotted lanternfly, which is a regulated pest under the Plant Protection Act, the ISC says it has the potential to “devastate grape …