Bagworms are moths that eat bushes and trees when they are larvae. Bagworms love deciduous trees, needle-shaped trees, fruit trees, and flowering plants, but are only deadly to coniferous trees that remain lush all year round. The main method of getting rid of bagworms is by hand and insecticides at certain stages of their growth.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Watching the Pocket Caterpillar
Step 1. Start looking for bagworms in winter or early spring
The cocoons of the bagworm eggs are brown and 4-5 cm long. The bagworm egg cocoons are covered with dead needles, making them easier to see when the leaves on the tree are green.
The bagworm's cocoons are sometimes difficult to identify because they resemble pinecones. Look at the pine cones to find the bagworm cocoons
Step 2. Sweep and rake the area under the trees regularly to remove fallen bagworm egg cocoons
Do not put this garbage in the compost because the larvae can live there. Put it in a closed plastic bag, then throw it in the trash.
Step 3. Pay attention to areas where leaves or branches are dead
If your tree starts to turn brown, the bagworm may have killed it. If this is the case, you may want to make a last ditch effort to eradicate caterpillars throughout your garden so they don't spread to other trees.
Step 4. Observe any new places the bagworm may live
The threads of bagworm saliva are carried by the wind, so whichever way the wind blows in your garden, the area can become a new home for moths. Therefore, you need to check these areas.
Part 2 of 3: Getting Rid of Pouch Caterpillar Eggs
Step 1. Fill a plastic bucket with a mixture of warm water and dish soap
Stir well.
Step 2. Put on gardening gloves and bring a small garden shears to help you get rid of all the bagworms
Garden shears can remove all traces of bagworm saliva, making it harder for new bagworms to come to the tree.
Step 3. Lift the branch, cut the bagworm egg cocoons, then drop them into a bucket of soapy water
Make sure the egg cocoons are completely submerged.
Step 4. Transfer the wet caterpillars to a sealed plastic bag, then throw them in the trash
Step 5. Repeat this procedure every fall, winter, and early spring to reduce the bagworm population before the eggs hatch
This will reduce the amount of insecticide needed, compared to picking up the egg cocoons by hand.
Part 3 of 3: Getting Rid of the Newly Hatched Pocket Caterpillar
Step 1. Schedule the use of insecticides for bagworms in May
In this month the bagworms have just hatched and are in their weakest condition. In some areas, new bagworms hatch in early June.
Step 2. Look for the tiny, caterpillar-like head sticking out from the top of the cocoon
However, when surprised, bagworms often put their heads back into their cocoons.
Step 3. Purchase an insecticide such as Dipel or Turex
Both contain Bacillus Thuringiensis, a bacterium that is deadly to bagworm larvae. If there are many trees infected with bagworms, the use of insecticides to completely eradicate them will be expensive.
Orthene, Talstar, and Tempo are also effective insecticides to kill newly hatched bagworms
Step 4. Put the insecticide into the spray
Spray the leaves of trees that may be infected until they are soaked. Be careful when spraying insecticide near pets and small children.
Consider covering the area you just sprayed
Step 5. Spray insecticide in late May, June, and early July
In these months, insecticides can kill the young larvae. Stop spraying in late July and August, when the insecticidal and resistant bagworms are no longer effective.
- As soon as September and into October, the bagworm imago begins to fertilize their eggs. At this time you should start picking up the egg cocoons by hand.
- The male imago of the bagworm is in the shape of a moth. The wings are black with brown spots. The male imago of the bagworm will die after the fertilization process while the female remains in the cocoon during the larval stage.
