Were happy to help. If you want to learn how to get rid of plaster bagworms, youve come to the right place. By the end of this article, you should have everything you need to know to manage, control, and eliminate these pests. Use as directed. Males are smaller (wing span: 7 to 9 mm) and thinner than the female, with a less distinctive wing pattern. Theyre not THAT hard to get rid of. Quick Answer: What Is The Bagworm Life Cycle - BikeHike Once the larvae hatch, the larvae begin to spin a silk strand and hang down from it. However, the specimens that he collected from the Virgin Islands were misidentified. The legs are also visible and are gray, silver, or white. Even though mating, hatching, and lifecycle times vary depending on the environment, all the bagworm species in YOUR environment should have nearly the same event times during their lifecycle. One end of the case is then modified. Adults at rest hold their wings tented over the body. You can buy one at a hardware store or online and position it somewhere where you always see moth activity. I keep a very clean home and already dislike bugs so i dont and never had webs or spiders. Plaster bagworms have a few natural enemies that eat them. Bagworm eggs hatch in late May or early June, which makes this the ideal time to eradicate them. Some observations on the plaster bagworm, Tineola walsinghami Busck (Lepidoptera: Tineidae). Plaster bagworms are unwelcome guests that can quickly wreak havoc on your home. Plus, you dont have to deal with the bug guts if you squish one yourself. Plaster bagworms can destroy pricey wool and natural-fiber items. After mating, females lay their eggs on crevices and the junction of walls and floors, cementing them on debris. The females lay more than 200 eggs in a small, protective casing. The labial palps extend a little beyond the head vestiture (dense covering of hairs). However, another name change occurred and the current official common and scientific names for this species are the household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. 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. One of the most effective ways to get rid of plaster bagworms in your house is to maintain cooler temperatures inside. If you have a pest problem thats not covered here, feel free to contact me and let me know. However, bagworms are moths in the family Psychidae. This is one of the easiest ways to kill bagworms without using any dangerous chemicals. The complete life cycle of plaster bagworms contains 6-7 instars and takes about 40-50 days to complete. But they dont clean up after themselves and their web will just hang around until its cleaned up. I dont ever see any hanging from Its a chain reaction, but a catch-22 at the same time. Photograph by Juan A. Villanueva-Jimnez, University of Florida. The bags gradually enlarge as they feed during the summer to house the growing caterpillar. The hindwings are just a solid gray or dark brown color with no patterning. So if you can keep moths away from your property, youll have fewer bagworms to deal with. Find one that doesnt damage your paint and try it out. Control of three household insects. Case of household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. Also, unsuspecting guests wont even know the real reason for those plants and will never even hint that you have a bagworm infestation in your home! So then I created this site to share everything Ive learned over the years (and continuing to learn)- natural solutions that are proven to work against the bug thats bugging you! 1003 pp. Then place it on the floor and grab a ladder. 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. They are gray with up to four spots on the fore wings, and a brush of long, lighter gray hair-like scales along the posterior margin of the hind wings. Preferably one that doesnt damage your paint finish. What is the life cycle of a plaster Bagworm? Whatever you call them, these insects have several distinct traits. 1003 pp. If you want to prevent these flying insects from laying eggs in or around your house, youll need to reduce the lighting outside. Plaster bagworms are nothing but the larvae of moths. 1956. For example, Phereoeca allutella (Rebel) has been recorded in Hawaii, Panama, Canary Islands, Madeira, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India, Java, and Samoa. They dont actually eat plaster and only get their name because theyre commonly found in plaster, walls, and hanging from the ceiling. How To Get Rid Of Plaster Bagworms On Exterior Walls? Consider hiring a professional exterminator if you have specific questions on using natural predators to handle plaster bagworms. Both of them are closely related species, but the casebearer and plaster bagworm are distinct species. There are many types and brands of sticky tape and traps. Plaster Bagworm - YouTube Observations on species of Lepidoptera infesting stored products. 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. Theres no need to use it during the daytime because moths are nocturnal (active at night). Note that spinosad is dangerous to bees and will kill them quickly. Also, dont try to attract some bird species that are not native to your area. The larva, or caterpillar, is rarely seen because it spends most of its time inside that protective casing. The adults mate around the same time, which means the larvae eggs are deposited simultaneously. The thing Im frightened most about is how they appear out of thin air. Later cases are flattened and widest in the middle, allowing the larva to turn around inside. The females will deposit up to 200 eggs by attaching them to surfaces where the larvae are likely to have a food source. 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. This will help deter and repel bagworms naturally. American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. BC Pest Control is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Plaster Bagworm Life Cycle Plaster bagworms start as caterpillar-like larvae that hatch in the early summer. The fully developed larva is about 7 mm long. The maxillary palps are smaller than the labial palps, and are folded inwards. Remember, these bugs thrive in warm and humid environments. After mating the female lays 500 to 1000 eggs within her bag and then she dies. Females mate with males during the warmer months. Both species follow a similar way of life but have different classifications. So they have both a crawling and flying phase. Invest in a portable AC, ductless AC, or window unit to keep every inch of your house climate controlled. Evergreen Bagworm Moth | Missouri Department of Conservation If youre finding bagworms in your trees, bushes, or plants outside, they may not be plaster bagworms. Get a vacuum and suck up all the webs, dust, and other debris in the area, especially on the ceiling. Bagworm - Penn State Extension Your feedback is how I write more improved and detailed pest guides. CRC Press. Hinton HE. The adult plaster bagworm moths look like your typical moth. Control of four household insects. Bagworms life cycle are differentiated into separate stages, much like any other organism. The case has tapered ends that are narrow with a bulging center. To keep the leaves from blowing away in the wind, put a bunch of them into a nylon sock and tape the sock to the walls around your home. The host plants can be a variety of trees . Furthermore, household casebearer larvae did not eat cotton products offered by Kea. Although this isnt the most efficient way of controlling and managing them, its a safe and quick way to bring down their numbers. I just moved here four months ago. The adult female moth does not leave the bag the caterpillar created. This is true during the period of their lifecycle when they pupate in the larvae case. I started off with a nasty fly problem, and was very interested in finding ways to get rid of them without having to use harmful chemicals and pesticides. 1954. These funky insects can be quite annoying, but arent too difficult to handle as long as you take the right approach. Heres a resource you can check out to find out what foods to feed. The resilient fibers of a spider web make them extremely durable to the elements (theyre resistant to rain, wind, and sunlight) and this provides a longstanding food for bagworms. See 3-4 a day. The winters cold weather kills both adult male and female plaster bagworms, but the larvae overwinter by hiding. Life Cycle Bagworm, like all moths, undergoes complete metamorphosis with four stages. So, what about the actual bug? Theyre also found in South America and other southern countries. 1956. But that doesnt mean you should ignore them. The eggs look like small blue ovals with a pale tint and are less than 0.5mm in length. You dont want to harm them as theyre a beneficial insect. Theres no single method that always works. They eventually abandon the case after becoming an adult. Phereoeca uterella - Wikipedia The casebearer (AKA casemaking clothes moth) also will make a bag for the larvae which can be found throughout the home. At that point, the potential damage caused by these bugs is outstanding. Reviewed June 2020. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. Are you squeamish to even think about a caterpillar pulling a big bag around (and hiding in it)? Quick Tip: If you have a lot of wool clothing, dont be surprised if you find them destroying it. 200 eggs may be laid by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. When disturbed, it encloses itself in the case by pulling the bottom side up. Specific information of Phereoeca uterella biology is limited. Buy them potted or grow from seed (though that takes a long time and spending the extra money is more efficient). The life cycle can continue until you have thousands and thousands of plaster bagworms to get rid of. Have the soapy water spray everywhere . Rooms or areas that are dirty or ignored will be swarming with empty cases and live larvae. Florida Entomologist 17: 66. Remove the dead bagworm safely. Female adults will keep their bags, which has her pupal case and this is where the eggs are deposited. Life Cycle. There are two main reasons why you have plaster bagworms in your home or garden: These pests are NOT picky and will show up suddenly out of nowhere. The caterpillar is only about a quarter of an inch long. If no web is spun, then bagworms have nothing to eat. 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. Youll rarely find them in your wardrobe or closet anyway, as theyre not known to be closet bugs due to low humidity in a drawer. Three pairs of legs are visible and it can extend and contract from the case. This document is EENY003, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Bagworms move about freely to feed, and they carry their bags with them. Bagworm is a caterpillar that molts into a moth in the adult stage. Thats why theyre so prevalent in states like Florida. EENY003/IN129: Household Casebearer, Phereoeca uterella (=dubitatrix The larvae are moved to nearby trees and shrubs with the help of wind. Aiello A. Leaving them in there allows them to escape. Bagworm Life Cycle | Bagworms Control | Get Rid of Bagworms - Safer Brand After all, the last thing you need is harmful toxic residues floating around your home just to keep some bagworms out. They tend to congregate where theres plenty of food to eat, high humidity, and minimal disturbances. This, however, is no way to really control the bagworms. Are plaster bagworms harmful to humans? Meanwhile, hooked false legs help it turn around inside the casing. Or just seal up those cracks with caulk to prevent further pests from sheltering there. Dish soap does indeed kill plaster bagworms and can be used as a home remedy for a pesticide. 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. Check the. Sharyn. Thats just a waste of time, and probably impossible. Gently stir until you see the suds appear. Then scrub your walls with the wet sponge. Theyre especially prevalent in the state of Florida. Bagworms - What They Are and How to Get Rid of Them - New Life On A A fully developed larva has a case 8 to 14 mm long and 3 to 5 mm wide. Within the household, they can be found in dark, humid areas. The remaining mouth parts are reduced, and adults do not feed. Everything I mentioned is listed above in this guide. However, the specimens that he collected from the Virgin Islands were misidentified. The inside of the arch is lined exclusively by silk, and is gradually extended to form a tunnel, while the larva stays inside. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. Aiello (1979) believes the plates protect the larva from natural enemies when it reaches out of its case for locomotion. 1979. 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). Here is a glimpse into the various Bagworm life stages - The eggs of Bagworm moths hatch in end of May and beginning of June. The cases are thin and flat similar to a pumpkin seed. The females cement the eggs to surfaces with a mixture of debris. It was found in Gainesville, Florida, and has been recorded as present in the southern contiguous US, Hawaii, Mexico, Bermuda, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Europe, Africa, Malaya, Australia, and other localities. If you suffer from allergies, the mere presence of these bugs can cause problems as well. Two hundred eggs may be oviposited by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. They mate during the peak season and the larvae will overwinter in their bags so they survive the winter. Moth traps can help catch the adult bagworm moths and reduce the number of progeny in the future. Perhaps for this reason, the accepted common name of Phereoeca uterella is now listed as the household casebearer, instead of plaster bagworm (Bosik JJ, et al. Well, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension, these wasps live for only two weeks (remember, not where they can cause contamination, sting, or bite, but inside of bagworm eggs), and die shortly after. University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 619. Leave the lamp on overnight. Spiderwebs are some of the most sought-after foods for these bugs, which is why they spend so much energy latching themselves high up on your walls. Even though itll kill the baby bagworm, youll be left with a bunch of egg debris and bagworm guts all over your walls. Thats because when they pupate, youll see BOTH ends of the case cemented to a vertical surface. The dish soap easily removes the moth eggs stuck on your wall, but for stubborn eggs, you may have to use a peeler. 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. Entomologica Americana 13: 151-203. Reviewed June 2020. Plaster bagworm, the destructive household pest Plaster Bagworm 6,145 views May 5, 2021 Phereoeca uterella is a species of moth belonging to the family Tineidae. If you do find their cases stuck on your clothing or furniture, double-check for more so you can confirm it wasnt a fluke. Bagworms are prolific breeders and simply spread by the adult female moth depositing her eggs all over your property. The ventral prolegs are white and are located on abdominal segments 3 to 6 and 10. First, manually remove all the bagworm larvae you can see in your home. The labial palps extend a little beyond the head vestiture (dense covering of hairs). Up to 200 eggs can be deposited over a single week. Im deathly afraid they will land on me when Im asleep so State of Florida, Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee. Additionally, if you have any tips on eliminating plaster bagworms, drop them below to help out someone else! Currently an active researcher in the pest control industry for the past 8 years- with a focus on using natural and organic methods to eliminate pest problems. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). The anterior crochets are bigger and broader than posterior ones by one third, which is a good detail for identification. Some observations on the plaster bagworm. Over many months, you may end up with a TON of plaster bagworms, especially if you dont keep your home maintained. Youll often find 1-2 spindle bags hanging from the twigs. In most cases, plaster bagworms start their life outdoors. Plaster bagworms are found in coaster states where temperatures are high and humidity is prevalent. And the trick isnt to smear them because thatll just break the egg. Dont worry. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. A braconid wasp,Apanteles carpatus(Say), parasitizes larvae of case-bearing moths, killing the larva before pupation. You can get rid of household casebearers using similar home remedies to bagworms such as essential oils, manual removal, soapy water, and vacuuming. If you have ichneumonid wasps, you can attract them to your yard by planting flowers that attract wasps and avoiding ones that dont. Consider attracting sparrows, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and other common garden avian species to your yard. You can make your own plan. Get some quotes. Start by using the techniques listed here that you can do right away. The silk lining allows orifices at both ends. The new moth emerges around noon, leaving the pupal case exposed on the outer case. Its very easy to make and you probably already have the necessary materials lying around your home! They are really gross and now its a phobia for me. These can also be used as materials for their cases, matching whatever is present in their environment. Most people will see bagworm activity during the warmer months such as August and September. However, we usually see only the empty larval or pupal cases of the household casebearer on walls of houses in south and central Florida. Of course, wasps themselves arent friendly and you definitely dont want them hanging around for too long. Life history and behavior of the case-bearer. The antennae are filiform (threadlike), as long as the wings, and are held back over the body. Too terrified to puncture them. After a while, the species in the peninsula was recognized as T. walsinghami. Life Cycle Management Common name: . Plaster Bagworm (Phereoeca spp) - FDL Pest Control Solutions Plaster Bagworm 101: How To Get Rid Of Them Quickly - BC Pest Control Turns out, there are a ton of DIY home remedies you can do for free (or damn close to free) without having to spend money on expensive and dangerous chemicals. Aiello (1979) succeeded in rearing specimens of the related species Phereoeca allutella by offering them dead mosquitoes and her own hair. This is when the bag usually sits on a vertical ledge youll commonly see it stuck to your walls. Use your machines attachments to suck up spiderwebs and plaster bagworm sacs as you see them. Like any other nuisance bug, plaster bagworms move into homes to find food and shelter. Furthermore, household casebearer larvae did not eat cotton products offered by Kea. They immediately begin feeding on host plants. Bagworms arent exactly as pleasant as a butterfly, but theyre not too difficult to get rid of. 1933. If you dont have a severe infestation, you may be able to get rid of them using some natural DIY home remedies. The Entomologist 89: 4247. 2000. The bagworm is a perennial insect pest of arborvitae, juniper, pine, spruce, and many other evergreen species (including Christmas trees). Spray when the bags are smaller than 0.5 and are visibly feeding. Old cases of its own species were chewed as well. Aiello (1979) indicates that the number of instars may vary among individuals of both sexes. That said, these bugs can cause a lot of damage around your house. Before eclosion the pupa pulls itself halfway through the valve. Swap your outdoor lighting to yellow bulbs or just dont turn on your lights at night. This makes it difficult to do for a typical homeowner and should only be used if you know what youre doing. After the first case is completed, the larva starts moving around, pulling its case behind. The only thing Id be wary about is to study the pesticides they use and check out the MSDS on them. They fly fairly well, but usually rest on walls, floor edges, or on webs of house spiders (theridiids) (Aiello 1979). Go ahead and mix a bucket full of water and a few drops of dish soap. The bagworm life cycle encompasses four stages - egg, larvae, pupal, and mature adult. Without any food to survive, plaster bagworms have no choice but to vacate your home and look elsewhere for food. Generally, they will stay close to wherever food is near. Its a passive way to repel them and stop plaster bagworms without having to do any work. Adult female household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. Plaster bagworms mainly survive on wool and spiderwebs. Plaster bagworms are not harmful to humans. Wing venation is very important for genera identification, and was described by Hinton and Bradley in 1956. Do some research. Hinton HE, Bradley JD. When youre out of ideas, consult a professional (licensed) pest control company. Disclaimer: Always consult with a qualified professional exterminator prior to beginning any pest control plan. Then theyll pupate and emerge as an adult moth just to continue the cycle. Heres the thing you need to know: Bagworms have a protective casing around them when they dangle from the ceiling. 1933. Common Household Pest: The Plaster Bagworm Plaster bagworms are the tiny larvae you find on your walls and ceiling. In Florida, this braconid and an ichneumonid wasp, Lymeon orbum (Say), were reared from the household casebearer (Hetrick 1957). 1957. Three sets of legs help the caterpillar walk on horizontal surfaces. Though they can also be found in broad daylight. Watson (1939) corroborated the preference of Pjerepeca uterella for woolen goods of all kinds. No pest control company wants to work with this. Original publication date September 1996. Observations on species of Lepidoptera infesting stored products. The females are usually more patterned than males. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. This means they came from an adult female moth and will grow into a moth. This is best used for bagworms found in plants and trees. If you have bagworms that have built up extensively, you may notice damaged structural materials or cosmetic damage to your home. Then, they all hatch around the same time and this is why they all appear out of nowhere- at the same time! After they pupate, they emerge as an adult moth. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt, and similar materials. Introduction The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. Microlepidoptera of Cuba. This explains why theyre commonly found in environments with already high moisture content such as Florida and other coastal states. Plaster bagworms are quirky little pests that can easily go unnoticed. Bagworm 6-Day Forecast. 1933. The anterior crochets are bigger and broader than posterior ones by one third, which is a good detail for identification. The best course of action is to vacuum everything. Microlepidoptera of Cuba. If you dont suspect that you have a severe bagworm problem and that theyre just concentrated in one area, try manual removal. until they pupate. For instance, this video combines the two terms and uses them synonymously: Note that bagworms are moths in the family Psychidae, while household casebearers are moths in the Tineidae family. You can also use a long pole to scrape them off, but this could result in your crushing them which can damage your ceiling. Do some research. While they might be small, a large population can wreak havoc on all of your prized garments. 156, new series. Wing venation is very important for genera identification, and was described by Hinton and Bradley in 1956. Apply a layer of adhesive sticky tape around the baseboards of any area that has bags. Reduce the number of total spiders in your home and youll have fewer webs to deal with. Revised July 2005, April 2010, April 2014, and April 2017. Please help me. They dont bite or cause any physical pain if you touch them. The remaining mouth parts are reduced and adults do not feed. Eggs are soft, pale bluish, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. 39-43. It is silk-lined inside and open at both ends. by finding a recipe online, Eliminating crawl spaces, cracks, and other points of entry, Sealing up foundational or structural damage, Sprinkling diatomaceous earth around your property, Using talcum powder, baby powder, or boric acid in common areas of spider infestation, The key is to only plant whats in season and grows in your hardiness zone. LIFE CYCLE There is incomplete information about the life cycle of this insect in . Phereoeca uterella is a species of moth belonging to the family Tineidae. Remember each bagworm you kill means a lower chance of them mating and producing more. Then place them around your yard to keep the bagworms away. How to get rid of Bagworms | Bagworm Control Guide - DoMyOwn.com They can be damaging and destroy significant parts of the tree which results in damaged foliage. Household Pests. However, the name household casebearer is now accepted under Phereoeca uterella, rather than the plaster bagworm. Eggs are soft, pale blue, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. The adult moth will merge from the case, complete with a full wingspan. until they pupate. Its bred from bacteria found in the soil and can kill bagworms very quickly. Plaster bagworms arent inherently dangerous. Read some reviews and buy one, then use it as directed. The lifecycle of a bagworm is nothing special. And they may also attack shrubs. The cases are constructed by the larval (caterpillar) stage and often attract attention when found in homes. Psyche 86: 125136. The content on this site is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice, or to replace a relationship with a qualified professional. Life Cycle (Back to Top) Eggs require more than 10 days to hatch. Some heavy infestations will require commercial pesticides to handle. These little buggers have some other common names: Because the household casebearer and the plaster bagworms are so alike, theres a lot of confusion between the two species. Watson JR. 1946. After they hatch, the small larvae emerge and will begin to feed. Aiello A. Hetrick (1957) found that the most common and abundant food of the household casebearer in Florida is old spider webs, consumed in large quantities. This continues their lifecycle and propagation, which continues to spread bagworms throughout your property. A braconid wasp, Apanteles carpatus (Say), parasitizes larvae of case-bearing moths, killing the larva before pupation. Head of adult household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. Work with the birds that are already in your neighborhood and find out how to get more for them to your garden. Creighton JT. Its only the wool items you have to protect. Juan A. Villaneuva-Jimenez and Thomas R. Fasulo; Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611. The larvae can damage your ceiling, walls, stucco, and other materials over time, though this can be fixed for most infestations. In constructing the case, the larva secretes silk to build an arch attached at both ends to the substrate. The larva is not usually seen by most people. The antennae are filiform (threadlike), as long as the wings, and are held back over the body. The larvae of all create protective cases out of plant materials or other debris. You can protect your garden from bagworms by using moth-repellent plants like lavender, marigold, and mugworts (see the list above). Bagworm Life Cycle. It probably wont move anywhere, but may nudge or flinch. When used properly, you can kill bagworms in just 48 hours after spraying. 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.