Household Pests. However, proper identification by a specialist is advised, because case-bearing species other than P. uterella might be in those states. These are the protective bags of bagworms, also commonly confused with casebearers. Too terrified to puncture them. Dont overdo it- just as long as the mixture is even should be good enough. The legs are also visible and are gray, silver, or white. 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! Its a chain reaction, but a catch-22 at the same time. The key is to push down firmly on the sponge and go downward in a single motion. If you live in the South, you know the stark difference a powerful air conditioner can make. The wind will then carry it to another host plant, where it will attach and start creating its own bag. The casebearer (AKA casemaking clothes moth) also will make a bag for the larvae which can be found throughout the home. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt, and similar materials. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). 1957. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. Leaving them in there allows them to escape. As the worm grows it spins a silken bag around its body, camouflaged with bits and pieces of the host foliage. When it comes to how to organically kill bagworms, the birds do it best by going around the tree and eating the worms. This may help prevent the future generation of bagworms from developing because the Bt eats up the larvae and prevents them from spawning. XVI: Two new genera of clothes moths (Tineidae). He also assumed that this species might be present in the coastal areas of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Very small particles of sand, soil, iron rust, insect droppings, arthropod remains, hairs and other fibers are added on the outside. 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. All have wingless (or nearly wingless) adult females that do not leave their bags, and the males are usually drab blackish shades. Quick Tip: If you have a lot of wool clothing, dont be surprised if you find them destroying it. Bagworm eggs hatch in late May or early June, which makes this the ideal time to eradicate them. Climb up there safely, and start picking them off your ceiling. State of Florida, Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee. One of the most effective ways to get rid of plaster bagworms in your house is to maintain cooler temperatures inside. Aiello (1979) succeeded in rearing specimens of the related species Phereoeca allutella by offering them dead mosquitoes and her own hair. Use a standard shop vac or upright vacuum with a hose attachment and suck up any bagworms you come across. The soap adds a high surface tension to the water, which makes it very difficult for them to escape once they land in it. So if you can keep moths away from your property, youll have fewer bagworms to deal with. If youre trying to get rid of plaster bagworms, consider cranking up the AC a bit more than normal. So if you have a lot of bagworms, this is why. CRC Press. Moths will be attracted to the lamp and gravitate towards it. Survival is the main priority, and houses provide everything that they need to prosper. What is the life cycle of a plaster Bagworm? Original publication date September 1996. Head of adult household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. 156, new series. Theres no need to use it during the daytime because moths are nocturnal (active at night). The larva walks up a vertical surface and attaches the case at both ends with silk. These are basic sticky traps with a scented bait that you can find at any hardware store. Then theyll pupate and emerge as an adult moth just to continue the cycle. The bag will usually have a mixture of soil, felt, woolens, hair, sand, feces, fibers, and other debris they harvest from your home. They eventually abandon the case after becoming an adult. The complete life cycle of plaster bagworms contains 6-7 instars and takes about 40-50 days to complete. Theyre also not picky about shelter provided that their humidity needs are met. Then place it on the floor and grab a ladder. The cases are constructed by the larval (caterpillar) stage and often attract attention when found in homes. 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. 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.. Borror DJ, Triplehorn CA, Johnson NF. Your email address will not be published. Bags of mature larvae are up to 2" (5 cm) long and 0.5" (1.2 cm) wide. For spiderwebs, clean your house regularly. At that point, the potential damage caused by these bugs is outstanding. Take a broom to those high corners near the ceiling. Generally, they will stay close to wherever food is near. Thats why understanding their main sources of food is so important if you want to get rid of them! The bagworm is a perennial insect pest of arborvitae, juniper, pine, spruce, and many other evergreen species (including Christmas trees). After the first case is completed, the larva starts moving around, pulling its case behind. This is when the bag usually sits on a vertical ledge youll commonly see it stuck to your walls. Theyre likely a different species altogether, but heres a tip. Your vacuum cleaner is your best friend against plaster bagworms. Hetrick (1957) found that the most common and abundant food of the household casebearer in Florida is old spider webs, consumed in large quantities. See how there are multiple layers of defense to keep the plaster bagworms out of your home? And then utilize these plants to keep the bagworms away: Whatever zone you live in, you should be able to find a few plants. 875 pp. The host plants can be a variety of trees . 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. Females mate with males during the warmer months. 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. The females are usually more patterned than males. The thing Im frightened most about is how they appear out of thin air. The lifecycle of a bagworm is nothing special. 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. I thought they were joking St in my clothes and furniture but Ive noticed them in my ceiling and I am terrified. You can also use a long pole to scrape them off, but this could result in your crushing them which can damage your ceiling. Watson (1939) corroborated the preference of Pjerepeca uterella for woolen goods of all kinds. The compound eyes are prominent. Original publication date September 1996. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. Control of three household insects. Consider attracting sparrows, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and other common garden avian species to your yard. At the tip of each proleg there is an ellipse formed by 23 to 25 very small crochets (a small hook). The adult plaster bagworm moths look like your typical moth. While it might not seem complex, theres a right and wrong way to deal with these insects! After a while, the species in the peninsula was recognized as Tineola walsinghami. Plaster Bagworm 6,145 views May 5, 2021 Phereoeca uterella is a species of moth belonging to the family Tineidae. The moth larva is protected from the elements through the case and can be found enclosed within the material. The plaster bagworm in it's larval stage, has three (3) set of legs as well as false legs. Observations on species of Lepidoptera infesting stored products. Spray early in the morning or late at night to avoid the active daytime hours of bees. The larva is also transported to nearby plants by wind. He also assumed that this species might be present in the coastal areas of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. The labial palps extend a little beyond the head vestiture (dense covering of hairs). In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. Abandoned webs are one of the prime food sources of bagworms. After mating the female lays 500 to 1000 eggs within her bag and then she dies. The bagworm has two separate phases of its life cycle that calls for distinct appearances. Bulletin of Entomological Research 47: 251-346. 1979. Kea JW. What time of year do you spray for bagworms? Thanks, Plaster bagworm life cycle Bagworms have a two-part life cycle. If you do find their cases stuck on your clothing or furniture, double-check for more so you can confirm it wasnt a fluke. Hinton HE. Most of the biology described here was taken from Aiello's (1979) description of Phereoeca allutella, a closely related case-bearing moth species from Panama. When used properly, you can kill bagworms in just 48 hours after spraying. Sometimes its a day or two and I dont see them and then suddenly I Its primarily white and has a brown head. Plaster Bagworm Life Cycle Plaster bagworms start as caterpillar-like larvae that hatch in the early summer. It is silk-lined inside and open at both ends. The silk they use can be wrapped around the twigs which can kill the tree in the future, especially if its not established. And its natural. Theres no single method that always works. 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. These become the host plants for the larvae for further development in the moth life cycle. Plaster bagworms are easily identified by the silk case they carry. Thats why theyre so prevalent in states like Florida. Youll need to get a lengthy object with a pointed end to make punctures. Keep it handy for the next time you encounter one. 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 first record of this species came from Lord Walsingham in 1897 (Busck, 1933). CRC Press. University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 536. Not sure why theyre here. Use as directed. This continues their lifecycle and propagation, which continues to spread bagworms throughout your property. However, regular cleaning practices, increased use of air conditioning in houses, and reduced number of woolen goods in this part of the country, along with pesticide application in cracks and crevices for household pest control, have decreased the incidence of the household casebearer. However, we usually see only the empty larval or pupal cases of the household casebearer on walls of houses in south and central Florida. Read some reviews and buy one, then use it as directed. Apply a layer of adhesive sticky tape around the baseboards of any area that has bags. Though they can also be found in broad daylight. Each bagworm generation lives just long enough as adults to mate and reproduce in their annual cycle. Webs can be found on the roof, walls, corners, baseboards, cracks, foundation, and more. Walking into a cool home is like stepping into a completely different environment! 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. Consider hiring a professional exterminator if you have specific questions on using natural predators to handle plaster bagworms. Take a broom to those high corners near the ceiling. You can get rid of household casebearers using similar home remedies to bagworms such as essential oils, manual removal, soapy water, and vacuuming. They dont scavenge for the same things as cockroaches and other common pests, so theyre free to live in their own little bubble undetected.