When Christmas comes with 25,000 freeloaders
AFP
PARIS- "Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."
Er, not quite.
Get a magnifying glass and take a close look at your Christmas tree, says a scientist.
In all likelihood, it is harbouring thousands of bugs.
Stimulated by the lights and warmth, they emerge from hibernation in your living room.
"In research on Christmas trees there have been found as many as 25,000 individual (insects)... in some of the trees," says Jordal.
He adds, though: "As they cannot feed on the limited plants found in most households, the bugs will quickly dry out and die.
"These insects and bugs do not constitute any risk or danger to people or furniture. And if anyone is worried about allergic reactions, I don't think there's any danger of that."
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