Bagworm Facts & Information

How to Inspect for Bagworms

Bagworms might sound harmless, but these stealthy little critters can wreak havoc on your plants if left unchecked. These destructive pests aren’t easily detected until severe bagworm damage has already taken place, which makes them even more difficult to treat. Here’s a guide on what to look for when checking for bagworms.

1. Inspect Your Trees and Shrubs Closely
   Get up close and personal with your greenery, this isn’t the time for a quick glance. Look for those telltale spindle-shaped bags hanging from branches. They may look like holiday ornaments, but trust us, they’re not festive.
   

2. Focus on Susceptible Plant Species
   Bagworms aren’t picky eaters, but they do have favorites. Pay special attention to evergreen plants like arborvitae, juniper, spruce, and pine. If you’ve got any of these, they’re basically a buffet for these pests.
   

3. Look for Feeding Damage
   Missing needles? Thinning foliage? Browning patches? These are like neon signs pointing to active larvae feasting away. Your plant might look like it’s having a bad hair day, now you know why.
   

4. Assess the Infestation
   Is the damage limited to a few branches, or does your plant look like it’s auditioning for a horror movie? The extent of the infestation helps you know if it’s a minor problem or a full-blown bagworm takeover.
   

5. Pay Attention to Seasonal Timing
   Timing is everything. Bagworms are easiest to spot when they’re active larvae or when the bags are more noticeable. Late spring to early summer is prime time for spotting the culprits.
   

By following these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to outsmart those pesky bagworms before they turn your garden into their personal snack bar

Does Orkin treat bagworms?

Orkin does not treat for bagworms. It is recommended you contact your local arborist to inspect your plants and discuss the next steps for your garden.

What do bagworms look like?

Bagworms carry around their homes wherever they go—tiny, conical bags made of silk and whatever debris they manage to collect, like leaves, twigs, or pieces of bark. The bags can grow up to two inches long, depending on how much remodeling the bagworm decides to do. Inside, you’ll find the larva, which is usually a pale yellowish or brownish grub-like creature that stays hidden unless it’s actively munching on leaves or moving to a better “real estate” spot.

• Color: Full-grown larvae are grayish in color.

• Body: Adult males have wings, but adult females are worm-like and do not have legs or wings. Adults are about an inch long.

• Characteristics: Bagworms are also referred to as evergreen bagworms. These insects have bags that are about one to two inches long and will increase in size as the bagworm larval stage grows.

What causes bagworms?

As tree lovers, bagworms are known to make their home on a variety of branches and leaves. These tiny pests are attracted to conifers such as spruce, pine, and cedar but have also been known to invade deciduous trees as well. Even though they’re best known to feed on these tree species, they can also be found anywhere there is a reliable resource.

Since female bagworm moths cannot fly, larvae are responsible for infesting other trees as they move from one host tree to another, or if they are introduced via infested nursery plants. As larvae, they’re able to squirm their way to nearby shrubs or plants, oftentimes hanging on them as they feed. In preparation for growing into a caterpillar, bagworms carry their bags around with them as they feed on plants. Bagworms create a fine web that can easily get carried away by a strong gust of wind, landing them on or near another piece of greenery. This ballooning method allows them to spread among trees.

What do bagworms eat?

These pests feed on plant needles or leaves from different types of trees including:

• Arborvitae

• Cedar

• Deciduous

• Juniper

• Pine

• Spruce

Where do bagworms live?

Bagworms may live in places such as:

• Tree trunk

• Limbs

• Foliage

Bagworm Life Cycle Facts

Bagworms complete their life cycle by going through four stages:

1. Eggs

The eggs are deposited inside the female’s bag where they will overwinter. A female lays anywhere from 300 to 1,000 eggs inside the bag, and subsequently dies. In the spring, the eggs hatch from silk thread and each larva begins to construct its own case with tree foliage, where it will live throughout its larval and pupal stages.

2. Larvae

The larvae will enlarge the case as it grows and moves about by partially emerging its head and legs to feed and move to other locations. Being more or less immobile, female bagworms never leave the bag they built while they are immature larvae.

3. Pupae

The insect enters the pupae stage once the larval stage is complete. They stay in the bag until they are adults.

4. Adults

About one month later, the adult male moth will emerge and fly to the female's bag where mating occurs.

Are bagworms harmful?

Since bagworms feed on many species of plants, most commonly the leaves or needles of conifers, large populations of these pests can be detrimental. As these insects eat their way through branches of trees and shrubs, they can cause serious damage to landscaping. Upon an infestation, homeowners will notice that their foliage appears disfigured and unsightly. Depending on the severity, bagworm damage has the potential to weaken or even kill trees.

These sneaky pests have a great ability to camouflage their cocoon bags within coniferous trees, as they resemble tiny pine cones built from dried stems and leaves. In order for a homeowner to properly prevent a bagworm issue, it’s best to frequently monitor any plants and shrubs for potential bagworm damage or feeding activity