Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Treat for Bagworms in Trees
How to Treat for Bagworms in Trees. Bagworms are a type of moth larvae that build and live in a cone-shaped, bag-like nest. In small numbers, they are easily controlled and do little damage, but large infestations can destroy entire trees by devouring all the leaves. Unfortunately, most cases of bagworm are not discovered until the infestation is...
Bagworms are a type of moth larvae that build and live in a cone-shaped, bag-like nest. In small numbers, they are easily controlled and do little damage, but large infestations can destroy entire trees by devouring all the leaves. Unfortunately, most cases of bagworm are not discovered until the infestation is severe. This makes removal more difficult and time consuming. In areas where bagworms are common, it helps to check plants regularly for signs of their presence, which include brown bags that appear similar to small pine cones.
Things You'll Need
Plastic bag
Pesticide
Pesticide sprayer
Remove bag cocoons from small trees during late fall, winter and early spring. The bags can be removed by plucking them by hand from the tree. During these months, the cocoons contain eggs that will hatch caterpillars. If the eggs can be destroyed, the life cycle is disrupted, and the trees will not be damaged in the spring.
Destroy the cocoons by sealing them in a plastic bag or burning them.
Spray infected trees with an appropriate insecticide in late spring or early summer. Insecticides are most effective against bagworms when applied while the caterpillars are young or newly hatched. Insecticides known to be effective against bagworm caterpillars are acephate, spinosad, bifenthrin and permethrin.
Treat late summer infestations with repeated applications of insecticide. Adult caterpillars have strong resistance to pesticide, so regular treatments are necessary to keep them under control. Spraying insecticide on plants infested with mature bagworms is unlikely to cure the problem, but may reduce it enough to allow full control the following winter and spring months.
Attract natural bagworm predators to help control the population. While predators alone will not eliminate bagworms, they can help keep the numbers down to manageable levels. The most common predators are sparrows and finches. Attract these birds with feeders and fruit- and seed-bearing plants, and by providing sheltering plants such as shrubs and hedges.
Tips & Warnings
Check evergreen trees such as pine, juniper, and spruce for signs of infestation. Bagworms prefer evergreen trees and will usually appear on them first.
Avoid health risks by following the manufacturer's directions and safety precautions when applying insecticide.
