How To Get Rid Of Bagworms In Your Trees

If you don't keep an eye out for bagworms, you might end up with damaged, brown, damaged, dead shrubs or trees. Read on to find out how to detect and how to get rid of bagworms.
​
If you notice defoliation or yellowing in your evergreens, taking a closer look at the limbs may reveal bagworms.

These vicious insects attack several species of bush or tree, but are mostly seen on conifers such as cyprus, pine, juniper, arborvitae, cedar, and spruce. They’re referred to as bagworms since when the larvae feed on trees and plants, they enclose themselves in cocoon-like bags made from leaves, twigs, and silk.

When in the bag, a female bagworm lays over 900 eggs, raising your bagworm issue to a dangerous infestation quickly. The worst part is that your issue might go undetected until too late since these bags take on the appearance of conifer cones.

If you have a bad case of bagworms, follow the information below to eliminate them.

Handpicking

If you see just a couple of bagworms, you might have stopped the infestation early enough that you can efficiently regulate the situation by handpicking the bags off the trees and putting them in a bucket of soapy water to drown the larvae.

Biological Control

Sometimes it’s not possible to handpick bagworms, especially when you have tall trees. But if you regulate the power of animals that feed on bagworms, you might still be able to regulate the number of bagworms.

CHEMICAL CONTROL

An insecticide with diazinon, malathion, or carbaryl can eliminate your bagworm issue if used on trees and bushes when the worms are still young. Schedule an appointment with an expert from Hickory Tree Care to spray in late spring, right after the bagworms have hatched and start to feed. Make sure the tree care specialist follows the insecticide manufacturer’s instructions.

Regardless what time of year you find bagworms, don’t wait to begin crafting a plan to get rid of them. Left unchecked, they can totally defoliate and destroy your yard’s bushes, trees, or hedges.

​

---