Theres no single method that always works. Some people and pets may be sensitive to essential oils, talcum powder, diatomaceous earth, boric acid, etc. until they pupate. The best time to spray for bagworms is in late spring, which is when most of the bagworm larvae have completed incubation and hatched from their eggs. Moth eggs on your walls can be ridden by using a wet sponge dipped in soapy water. They start as a caterpillar (known as the larvae) and crawl around with the silk bag tied to their backs. Spring - Egg hatch occurs from late May to early June, at which time the larvae crawl out in search of food. First, manually remove all the bagworm larvae you can see in your home. The anterior crochets are bigger and broader than posterior ones by one third, which is a good detail for identification. 1954. Leaving them in there allows them to escape. And they may also attack shrubs. Plaster bagworms breed and mate unusually compared to most other bugs you may be used to. After the first case has been built, the larvae will move around and pull the case. 47: 251346. Try a few of them out and see what works best for you. Moths are attracted to light, especially at night when your outdoor lights are the only thing that lights up the evening sky. Thats why theyre so prevalent in states like Florida. Watson JR. 1939. Most trees will recover, but sick or younger trees may be destroyed by bagworms. Consider attracting sparrows, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and other common garden avian species to your yard. I still dont so And then utilize these plants to keep the bagworms away: Whatever zone you live in, you should be able to find a few plants. Florida Entomologist 17: 66. You can use a variety of treatments such as sticky traps, essential oils, manual removal, natural predators, vinegar or dish soapy sprays, and natural herbal remedies. So, you need to get rid of plaster bagworms in your house. Another related species of case-bearing moths is Praececodes atomosella (tecophora) (Walker 1863). Get some quotes. Were happy to help. Bosik JJ, et al. I may be able to help you out! Position the desktop lamp above the container and direct the light right into the liquid. I find that using a combo of various repellents, bagworm removal methods, sticky traps, and natural deterrents work best. The larva has three pair of well-developed, brown legs. They might stay on your exterior door or near a porch light. Thats just a waste of time, and probably impossible. You may see dozens of bags hanging on your roof during this time. At non-air-conditioned room temperature in Panama, the life cycle of Phereoeca uterella (a close relative of Phereoeca dubitatrix) was reported by Aiello (1979) as follows: Eggs require more than 10 days to hatch. Entomol. But follow the manufacturers directions. Very small particles of sand, soil, iron rust, insect droppings, arthropod remains, hairs and other fibers are added on the outside. These bugs often go unnoticed until populations reach massive levels. Aiello (1979) indicates that the number of instars may vary among individuals of both sexes. You can control and manage plaster bagworms in your home and garden using a variety of DIY home remedies. Hetrick (1957) found that the most common and abundant food of the household casebearer in Florida is old spider webs, consumed in large quantities. Bagworms overwinter as eggs in the bag of the mother. Control of three household insects. Manual picking or vacuuming of cases and spider web removal should be enough to keep this species under control. Pupa: Pupation occurs inside the case. The eggs are small and look like pale-bluish seeds that are stuck on surfaces, usually in a dark area or hidden from view. Also, read all warnings and labels on any kind of application you use as a home remedy on your property. And if all else fails, consult a professional exterminator. They dont bite, sting, or transmit any dangerous diseases to people. I thought they were joking St in my clothes and furniture but Ive noticed them in my ceiling and I am terrified. They may also have been smuggled into your house from newly purchased products, such as plants, carpet, furniture, and more. The ventral prolegs are white, and are located on abdominal segments 3 to 6 and 10. Preferably one that doesnt damage your paint finish. Some bagworm species are parthenogenetic, meaning their eggs develop without male fertilization. University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 536. By late summer . The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). The crochets are used to walk inside the case, and also to grab the case when the larva pulls its head and thorax out and uses its true legs to walk on the floor or walls. What time of year do you spray for bagworms? The only thing Id be wary about is to study the pesticides they use and check out the MSDS on them. Disclaimer: Always consult with a qualified professional exterminator prior to beginning any pest control plan. After all, the last thing you need is harmful toxic residues floating around your home just to keep some bagworms out. But for everything else, they should be a minimal threat. The household casebearer,Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. A fully developed larva caterpillar spans about 7mm in length with a dark head and white body. This allows them to quickly reproduce and build up to extreme numbers. Its only the wool items you have to protect. Use a vacuum cleaner or dish soap to dislodge them and get rid of them. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). In South America, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham is known to be present in Brazil (state of Para) and Guyana. They often do free home inspections and can answer your questions about bagworm control. If you have a pest problem thats not covered here, feel free to contact me and let me know. Common Names of Insects & Related Organisms. An Introduction to the Study of Insects. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). However, the specimens that he collected from the Virgin Islands were misidentified. As a result, large populations of plaster bagworms can become a massive problem for Floridians. The caterpillar will pupate and does this inside the case. The fully developed larva is about 7 mm long, It has a dark brown head, and the rest of the body is white, except for the lateral and dorsal plates on the three thoracic segments close to the head, which are hardened and dark. Survival is the main priority, and houses provide everything that they need to prosper. Other Common Names Eastern Bagworm Common Basket Worm North American Bagworm Size Wingspan of males: about 1 inch. Thats because when they pupate, youll see BOTH ends of the case cemented to a vertical surface. Entomological Society of America. The females lay more than 200 eggs in a small, protective casing. Birds are also an effective means of managing bagworm populations. 232 pp. The moth larva is protected from the elements through the case and can be found enclosed within the material. 1933. Plaster bagworms live in small, cocoon-like vessels that hang from ceilings and walls. Two hundred eggs may be oviposited by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. After the bagworm eggs hatch, the larvae start spinning a silk strand that dangles down from the pouch. Hetrick LA. Due to the active international exchange of goods, other case-bearing moths may occur in Florida in the future. Here are some additional references you may find helpful: You should now have a solid foundation of knowledge to go ahead manage, control, and eradicate plaster bagworms from your property. Both ends of the case are identical, and are used by the larva to hide. State of Florida, Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). So most species of bagworms will hatch in the springtime. The larvae are moved to nearby trees and shrubs with the help of wind. Put on a pair of garden gloves, goggles, and long sleeves because were going to get dirty! Busck A. until they pupate. Bagworms can be tracked through the different seasons. These pests thrive in humid environments. Then, hang nylon socks with moth repellents like herbs and spices and tape them to the areas with heavy infestations. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. And if you have any questions, just leave a comment and Ill get back to you. Scales are also visible. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 536. The larva walks up a vertical surface and attaches the case at both ends with silk. Original publication date September 1996. Over many months, you may end up with a TON of plaster bagworms, especially if you dont keep your home maintained. Be careful about leaving the lamp on overnight. Bagworm cocoons are the nests where the caterpillars live. Kea JW. Go ahead and mix a bucket full of water and a few drops of dish soap. What is the life cycle of a plaster Bagworm? This isnt the most efficient home remedy to get rid of plaster bagworms, but you can clean up an infestation quickly without using any chemicals. It can be found under spiderwebs, in bathrooms, bedrooms and garages. The eggs can incubate over the winter before hatching into a large population of young plaster bagworms! LIFE CYCLE There is incomplete information about the life cycle of this insect in . pp. There are some that believe that the real legs help it walk on floors, while the false legs that have hooks on the ends allow it to walk inside its protective case. Theyre not THAT hard to get rid of. The remaining mouth parts are reduced and adults do not feed. Sparrows are commonly chosen because theyre easy to attract and have a wide dispersion across the US. Hinton HE. Kea (1933) could not observe this insect feeding on dried insects in the laboratory, even though small portions of dried insects were found attached to its case. Curiously enough, plaster bagworms are the larval stage of a moth! Eggs are soft, pale bluish, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. Plaster bagworms mainly survive on wool and spiderwebs. Hetrick (1957) observed the insect in many parts of Florida and Louisiana, as well as USDA records of the household casebearer from Mississippi and North Carolina. 1956. Creighton JT. Orkin Termite Treatment, Pest Control & Exterminator Service | Orkin The case that it carries around wherever it feeds is what is immediately recognized. Bagworms eggs look like pale blue seeds and are usually cemented onto walls with debris or silk. In terms of shape and appearance, it looks pretty similar to a watermelon or pumpkin seed. You may also see adult plaster moths, which are dark gray with 3-4 patches on their front wings and lighter colored hairs on their head. Life Cycle (Back to Top) Eggs require more than 10 days to hatch. If you have a particularly challenging plaster bagworm problem and want some advice, send us a message. Eggs are soft, pale blue, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. Bagworms are prolific breeders and simply spread by the adult female moth depositing her eggs all over your property. Keep in mind that severe bagworm infestations on your trees may require the help of a professional, especially for taller trees that you cant reach the upper branches or twigs. Be careful not to scrub too hard as some paint finishes are sensitive to soap. The inside of the arch is lined exclusively by silk, and is gradually extended to form a tunnel, while the larva stays inside. And of course, be safe with anything that can puncture. Theyre mainly attracted to a stable food source with minimal disturbances. Buy them potted or grow from seed (though that takes a long time and spending the extra money is more efficient). Invest in a portable AC, ductless AC, or window unit to keep every inch of your house climate controlled. XVI: Two new genera of clothes moths (Tineidae). The bagworm has two separate phases of its life cycle that calls for distinct appearances. Spray when the bags are smaller than 0.5 and are visibly feeding. Pupation occurs inside the case. A braconid wasp, Apanteles carpatus (Say), parasitizes larvae of case-bearing moths, killing the larva before pupation. Plaster bagworms are nothing but the larvae of moths. You dont need to make a huge hole in it. Sharyn. Photograph by Juan A. Villanueva-Jimnez, University of Florida. The silk they use can be wrapped around the twigs which can kill the tree in the future, especially if its not established. However, bagworms are moths in the family Psychidae. This makes it difficult to do for a typical homeowner and should only be used if you know what youre doing. Crawling insects are not effective because they rarely go upside down on your ceiling and have the ability to puncture the casing of the larvae bagworm. Im Start out with what you have available in your home already (the easiest ways), then move on to the harder ones assuming that you still have plaster bagworms crawling around your house. Borror DJ, Triplehorn CA, Johnson NF. Once the larvae hatch, the larvae begin to spin a silk strand and hang down from it. Revised July 2005, April 2010, April 2014, and April 2017. It can be found under spiderwebs, in bathrooms, bedrooms and garages. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). The females are usually more patterned than males. If you have ichneumonid wasps, you can attract them to your yard by planting flowers that attract wasps and avoiding ones that dont. Female adults will keep their bags, which has her pupal case and this is where the eggs are deposited. Theyre either on the floor crawling or on the walls . Namely, vespid wasps, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and other predatory flying insects will eat them up without hesitation. These are basic sticky traps with a scented bait that you can find at any hardware store. Toss them right into the mixture, which will kill them upon contact, and repeat until you see no more bags on your roof! Bagworms move about freely to feed, and they carry their bags with them. Ive been here six years and suddenly these things started to You can get rid of household casebearers using similar home remedies to bagworms such as essential oils, manual removal, soapy water, and vacuuming. For spiderwebs, clean your house regularly. How to get rid of plaster bagworms naturally, Use a bug zapper to kill adult bagworm moths. Theyll emerge when temperatures pick up in the springtime, so the best time to find a bunch of them is during the winter. A larva of the household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham, which is partially emerged from its case and using its true legs to walk on a surface. You can buy one at a hardware store or online and position it somewhere where you always see moth activity. Bags of mature larvae are up to 2" (5 cm) long and 0.5" (1.2 cm) wide. Wasps are one of the main predators of bagworms, so you should focus on getting more of them to your yard to help clean up the infestation. Manual picking or vacuuming of cases and spider web removal should be enough to keep this species under control. In fact, one female wasp can kill up to 300 bagworm eggs within its short 7 to 14 day lifespan. Very small particles of sand, soil, iron rust, insect droppings, arthropod remains, hairs, and other fibers are added on the outside. The maxillary palps are smaller than the labial palps, and are folded inwards. Theyll be actively feeding on various debris around the home and you can capture and kill most of them when you spray during this time. The caterpillar larvae are the larvae phase of their lifecycle. But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". They can be damaging and destroy significant parts of the tree which results in damaged foliage. Aiello (1979) succeeded in rearing specimens of the related species Phereoeca allutella by offering them dead mosquitoes and her own hair. Once the eggs hatch, the larva spins a silk strand that hangs down it. Meanwhile, hooked false legs help it turn around inside the casing. One end of the case is then modified. The same year Kea wrote about the food habits of the species present in Florida, using the name given by Walsingham (T. uterella). Specific information of Phereoeca uterella biology is limited. I created this site to offer my 8 years of natural pest control experience to the public. Heres a resource you can check out to find out what foods to feed. And thats why they can suddenly show up in huge numbers. Its oval and features a somewhat flat profile, which is perfect for blending into walls. Wing venation is very important for genera identification, and was described by Hinton and Bradley in 1956. Of course, monitor your tape and traps to check the progress. On the top and bottom of the oval-shaped case, theres a slit-like opening. Plaster bagworms are so distinct that many people refer to them as a separate entity entirely. Lastly, you can also attract natural predators to help eat up moths and larvae like predatory wasps (which can also help control cicadas, sawflies, asparagus beetles, and fig beetles) or beneficial lizards. Figure 2. When disturbed, it encloses itself in the case by pulling the bottom side up. But when you only see ONE end, such as when it hangs from your ceiling, its not pupating yet and the caterpillar still can come out and move around. The larva is also transported to nearby plants by wind. How to Get Rid of Plaster Bagworms Naturally (Home Remedies), But for everything else, they should be a minimal threat. The heads of both sexes are uniformly clothed with dense, rough hairs. The larvae will emerge from their case and walk around bringing the case alongside them. Its a chain reaction, but a catch-22 at the same time. This is a cost-effective approach to repelling bagworms and completely natural so you dont need to worry about pesticides and poisons. Theyll fall into the dish soap mixture and drown because of the soap. When used properly, you can kill bagworms in just 48 hours after spraying. Three sets of legs help the caterpillar walk on horizontal surfaces. You can reduce the humidity in rooms where you see them dangling from the roof by doing the following: Set up box fans or air circulators to keep moisture moving (point them at windows and doors facing OUT of the room that has high humidity). Some observations on the plaster bagworm. Some heavy infestations will require commercial pesticides to handle. Old cases of its own species were chewed as well. The larvae hide in the case and shield from predators. This may help bring down their numbers and keep them out of your home. That said, these bugs can cause a lot of damage around your house. But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". Theyre the larvae form of moths and have two distinct phases of their lifecycle. Are plaster bagworms harmful to humans? pp. Bagworm eggs hatch in late May or early June, which makes this the ideal time to eradicate them. What is the best chemical to kill bagworms? This explains why theyre commonly found in environments with already high moisture content such as Florida and other coastal states. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt, and similar materials. They roam around with their cases in search of food - random debris, spiderwebs, fabrics, plaster, and even furniture. From egg to adult takes about 74 days on average. Apply a layer of adhesive sticky tape around the baseboards of any area that has bags. American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. Check the. Since webs are largely transparent and invisible, you can use a flashlight and shine it around darker corners of the room to make sure you dont miss any. Also, apply sticky traps outdoors to catch any adult moths. Food habits of Tineola uterella. The eggs are found on crevices, cracks, and joints of doors, walls, and baseboards. They immediately begin feeding on host plants. All have wingless (or nearly wingless) adult females that do not leave their bags, and the males are usually drab blackish shades. Aiello (1979) believes the plates protect the larva from natural enemies when it reaches out of its case for locomotion. However, we usually see only the empty larval or pupal cases of the household casebearer on walls of houses in south and central Florida. Theyre commonly found under webs, bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, rugs, carpets, curtains, joists, sills, foundations, subflooring, building exteriors, farm sheds, lawn furniture, farm machinery, tree trunks, and even under your home. The females cement the eggs to surfaces with a mixture of debris. The bags gradually enlarge as they feed during the summer to house the growing caterpillar. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. Rooms or areas that are dirty or ignored will be swarming with empty cases and live larvae. However, proper identification by a specialist is advised, because case-bearing species other than P. uterella might be in those states. Cases can be found on wool rugs and wool carpets, hanging on curtains, or underneath buildings, hanging from subflooring, joists, sills and foundations; on the exterior of buildings in shaded places, under farm sheds, under lawn furniture, on stored farm machinery and on tree trunks. I just moved here four months ago. Adults at rest hold their wings tented over the body. The case has tapered ends that are narrow with a bulging center. However, we usually see only the empty larval or pupal cases of the household casebearer on walls of houses in south and central Florida. Before eclosion the pupa pulls itself halfway through the valve. The adult female will deposit hundreds of eggs which hatch into larvae. Braconid wasps are effective at killing the larvae and will stop them from pupating. Plaster Bagworm 6,145 views May 5, 2021 Phereoeca uterella is a species of moth belonging to the family Tineidae. Eggs take about 1-2 weeks to hatch but vary depending on environmental conditions, species, and temperature. Life history and behavior of the case-bearer Phereoeca allutella (Lepidoptera: Tineidae). Anything below 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit should be more than enough to deter plaster bagworms from coming in. So the dish soap actually will slip right off and wont kill the bagworm if you spray it directly. Manual removal takes time, but this is one way to clear out a room full of bags. Theyre likely a different species altogether, but heres a tip. They look like theyve been here for a while. They crawl around and forage for food (debris, detritus, webs, wool, fabrics, furniture, etc.) Theres no single foolproof technique. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. Eventually, the plaster bagworm becomes a moth. 1979. He also assumed that this species might be present in the coastal areas of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. The larva has three pair of well-developed, brown legs. Since there are many different types of bagworm species, this depends on the type youre dealing with. As long as theres an entryway into your garage, basement, bedroom, dresser, shed, outhouse, or wherever else you see them, thats all thats needed for them to infest your home. They dont actually eat plaster and only get their name because theyre commonly found in plaster, walls, and hanging from the ceiling. This will help deter and repel bagworms naturally. Always empty your vacuum bags or dump out the canister. A fully developed larva has a case 8 to 14 mm long and 3 to 5 mm wide. With each molt, the larva enlarges its case. Always try, assess, and adjust as needed. The complete life cycle of plaster bagworms contains 6-7 instars and takes about 40-50 days to complete. Find one that doesnt damage your paint and try it out. Theyre safe from the cold temperatures by hiding inside the silk case. In most states there is only one generation per year. The plaster bagworm in it's larval stage, has three (3) set of legs as well as false legs. In constructing the case, the larva secretes silk to build an arch attached at both ends to the substrate. The adults mate around the same time, which means the larvae eggs are deposited simultaneously. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt and similar materials. You dont want to harm them as theyre a beneficial insect. They dont bite or cause any physical pain if you touch them. Res. Busck A. Insect Management Guide for Bagworms and Clothes Moths (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG090). Spiders are considered to be a beneficial insect because they help catch and kill various pests like flies, beetles, flying pests, earwigs, roly-polys, etc.. Plaster bagworms are unwelcome guests that can quickly wreak havoc on your home. In Florida, this braconid and an ichneumonid wasp, Lymeon orbum (Say), were reared from the household casebearer (Hetrick 1957). And theres no shame in doing this if the service is good and the price is fair. Original publication date September 1996. Once you lift the sponge from the surface, it allows eggs to get caught UNDER it which will smear them. Head of adult household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. For example,Phereoeca allutella(Rebel) has been recorded in Hawaii, Panama, Canary Islands, Madeira, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India, Java and Samoa. Creighton JT. If you live in the South, you know the stark difference a powerful air conditioner can make. The cases are constructed during the caterpillar stage (larval) and this is when most people notice them. 1957. Then spray the bagworm and the dish detergent will enter the bag. Dont worry. Plaster Bagworm 101: How To Get Rid Of Them Quickly, How To Get Rid Of Plaster Bagworms In Your House, 21 Plants That Repel Wasps (Highly Effective), How To Get Rid Of Skinks: Everything You Need To Know, How To Keep Fruit Flies Away From Bananas (Simple Tips). But they dont clean up after themselves and their web will just hang around until its cleaned up. If youre finding bagworms in your trees, bushes, or plants outside, they may not be plaster bagworms. So if you have a lot of bagworms, this is why. Figure 4. Eggs are soft, pale bluish, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. They eventually abandon the case after becoming an adult. The new moth emerges around noon, leaving the pupal case exposed on the outer case. Florida Entomologist 40: 145146. Inside your house, protective cocoons can appear anywhere. Cover it up with a curtain or shut the shutters to prevent bringing moths to your windows, door gaps, and other areas of your home. They may have other suggestions for the best time to spray. Bagworms life cycle are differentiated into separate stages, much like any other organism. If you suffer from allergies, the mere presence of these bugs can cause problems as well. The soap adds a high surface tension to the water, which makes it very difficult for them to escape once they land in it. If you dont suspect that you have a severe bagworm problem and that theyre just concentrated in one area, try manual removal. Use a longer pole so you can avoid getting on a ladder. Youll also want to make sure that you use a desktop lamp thats rated for hours of continuous usage. The most identifying characteristic is the bag for which it gets its namesake! Webs of insects such as booklice (Psocoptera) and webspinners (Embioptera) from tree trunks were also suitable food. Bagworms will eat wool, but they dont eat other materials used in clothing like nylon, cotton, spandex, and polyester. Theyre especially prevalent in the state of Florida. After that, set up sticky traps in that area to catch any larvae that crawl across them. Mint leaves have been known to repel moths and you can utilize this to your advantage by placing them around your home and garden. Reproduction Patterns of Bagworms In the spring, the bagworm eggs hatch and each larva leaves the bag by releasing a thin silk thread and floating down out of the bag. I share handy DIY pest techniques I come across here to help out others (and possibly save them from a mental breakdown). In South America, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham is known to be present in Brazil (state of Para) and Guyana.