Moths cant help but fly towards the light. The females lay more than 200 eggs in a small, protective casing. Eventually, the plaster bagworm becomes a moth. Upon hatching, the entire lifecycle of the plaster bagworm can be completed in about 2-3 months. Case of household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. A bug zapper can also be effective for controlling nighttime moths. These compounds are effective at making quick work of bagworms and preventing future infestations. Psyche 86: 125136. When disturbed, it encloses itself in the case by pulling the bottom side up. Then theyll pupate and emerge as an adult moth just to continue the cycle. 1933. Toss them right into the mixture, which will kill them upon contact, and repeat until you see no more bags on your roof! The larval case is a slender, flat, fusiform or spindle-shaped case which resembles a pumpkin seed. Cases can be found on wool rugs and wool carpets, hanging on curtains, or underneath buildings, hanging from subflooring, joists, sills and foundations; on the exterior of buildings in shaded places, under farm sheds, under lawn furniture, on stored farm machinery and on tree trunks. Hinton HE, Bradley JD. You should turn off or reduce your patio lights where possible. 875 pp. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). Household Pests. The cocoon is made up of silk fiber and other organic materials. 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. Anything below 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit should be more than enough to deter plaster bagworms from coming in. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. Find one that doesnt damage your paint and try it out. 1957. This is when theyre most active and also the hardest time to get rid of them because their numbers are in full force. So the dish soap actually will slip right off and wont kill the bagworm if you spray it directly. Figure 5. Revised July 2005, April 2010, April 2014, and April 2017. Once the caterpillar becomes a moth, these bugs can create even more issues. There are visible black or gray markings on the forewings. A larva of the household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham, which is partially emerged from its case and using its true legs to walk on a surface. The maxillary palps are smaller than the labial palps, and are folded inwards. I created this site to offer my 8 years of natural pest control experience to the public. Theres no need to use it during the daytime because moths are nocturnal (active at night). See if its working or not. They eventually abandon the case after becoming an adult. Take a broom to those high corners near the ceiling. Theyll fall into the dish soap mixture and drown because of the soap. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. Theyre especially prevalent in the state of Florida. Do some research. Use as directed. She remains inside while the winged, male moth does emerge to fly about the infested tree to locate the waiting female. Thanks, The dark colored bagworm caterpillars are 1/8 to one inch long when they first hatch. They mate during the peak season and the larvae will overwinter in their bags so they survive the winter. Very small particles of sand, soil, iron rust, insect droppings, arthropod remains, hairs and other fibers are added on the outside. Reproduction Patterns of Bagworms In the spring, the bagworm eggs hatch and each larva leaves the bag by releasing a thin silk thread and floating down out of the bag. The bagworm is most common in southern regions of Pennsylvania. 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. This allows them to quickly reproduce and build up to extreme numbers. If you dont suspect that you have a severe bagworm problem and that theyre just concentrated in one area, try manual removal. Due to its food habits the household casebearer is a potential household pest. Its when they mature into adult moths that they move inside and start a new generation. Too terrified to puncture them. Survival is the main priority, and houses provide everything that they need to prosper. 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. 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 remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). 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. For example,Phereoeca allutella(Rebel) has been recorded in Hawaii, Panama, Canary Islands, Madeira, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India, Java and Samoa. The eggs are found on crevices, cracks, and joints of doors, walls, and baseboards. At the tip of each proleg there is an ellipse formed by 23 to 25 very small crochets (a small hook). XVI: Two new genera of clothes moths (Tineidae). Get into cracks and crevices and clean up all the organic matter wedged in there over time. Bagworms can be tracked through the different seasons. So most species of bagworms will hatch in the springtime. Food habits of Tineola uterella. Life cycle of bagworms In the end of the summer the bagworm caterpillars stop feeding and seal each bag shut after securely tying it to a twig, stem or even nearby structure. Pay special attention to dusty cabinets and bookshelves. Two hundred eggs may be oviposited by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. Theyre not THAT hard to get rid of. 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. Watson JR. 1946. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). Sharyn. Observations on species of Lepidoptera infesting stored products. You may also see adult plaster moths, which are dark gray with 3-4 patches on their front wings and lighter colored hairs on their head. They immediately begin feeding on host plants. 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. Either way, the final result is a light gray protective case that hangs discreetly on the walls of your home. States like Florida, California, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, and new york with high populations of people and unkempt homes attract bagworms. The new moth emerges around noon, leaving the pupal case exposed on the outer case. The eggs of the bagworms hatch around the springtime. After the bagworm eggs hatch, the larvae start spinning a silk strand that dangles down from the pouch. Moths will be attracted to the lamp and gravitate towards it. 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! They are really gross and now its a phobia for me. The same year Kea wrote about the food habits of the species present in Florida, using the name given by Walsingham (T. uterella). You can use Bacillus thuringiensis (variant kurstaki Btk), which is a microbe bacteria that are extremely effective at eliminating bagworms but only when used at the right period of their lifecycle. 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. There are two pairs of buccal appendages called palps. The winters cold weather kills both adult male and female plaster bagworms, but the larvae overwinter by hiding. Manual picking or vacuuming of cases and spider web removal should be enough to keep this species under control. By late summer . Also, read all warnings and labels on any kind of application you use as a home remedy on your property. I live in a condo on Miami. Since most infestations are just one type of bagworm species, you may see a ton of them all dangling on the ceiling within the same room. Three pairs of legs are visible and it can extend and contract from the case. Webs can be found on the roof, walls, corners, baseboards, cracks, foundation, and more. This puts the power of all of them into one powerful treatment plan. I keep my apartment clean. A braconid wasp, Apanteles carpatus (Say), parasitizes larvae of case-bearing moths, killing the larva before pupation. Over many months, you may end up with a TON of plaster bagworms, especially if you dont keep your home maintained. The cases are constructed by the larval (caterpillar) stage and often attract attention when found in homes. The adult female will deposit hundreds of eggs which hatch into larvae. They dont actually eat plaster and only get their name because theyre commonly found in plaster, walls, and hanging from the ceiling. Remove the dead bagworm safely. 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. 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. They start as a caterpillar stuck in a silk case where theyll crawl around your home, eating old webs and debris. In constructing the case, the larva secretes silk to build an arch attached at both ends to the substrate. As a result, large populations of plaster bagworms can become a massive problem for Floridians. Control of three household insects. Bagworm cocoons are the nests where the caterpillars live. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). Finally, an early synonym established by Meyrick was recognized as the most appropriate name, and the species was named Phereoeca dubitatrix (Meyrick 1932). Revised July 2005, April 2010, April 2014, and April 2017. Next, use the sharp end and puncture the bagworm case while its stationary on the ceiling. In terms of shape and appearance, it looks pretty similar to a watermelon or pumpkin seed. Ive been here six years and suddenly these things started to The larvae of all create protective cases out of plant materials or other debris. However, you might see it peak its head out of one of those slits to eat. However, the name household casebearer is now accepted under Phereoeca uterella, rather than the plaster bagworm. 1954. This document is EENY003, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Before eclosion the pupa pulls itself halfway through the valve. Your email address will not be published. Plaster bagworms are the tiny larvae you find on your walls and ceiling. The larva cuts a short slit along both edges to make that end flatter, which acts as a valve. Most people will see bagworm activity during the warmer months such as August and September. Spray when the bags are smaller than 0.5 and are visibly feeding. Kea (1933) could not observe this insect feeding on dried insects in the laboratory, even though small portions of dried insects were found attached to its case. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). Moth eggs on your walls can be ridden by using a wet sponge dipped in soapy water. What is the best chemical to kill bagworms? Aiello A. Check the USDA map to see what zone youre in if you have no idea. Be careful about leaving the lamp on overnight. A lot of leading companies have green or natural approaches, so find one that has alternative pest control treatments and ask about them. I dont ever see any hanging from One of the most effective ways to get rid of plaster bagworms in your house is to maintain cooler temperatures inside. It can be found under spiderwebs, in bathrooms, bedrooms and garages. 1003 pp. The larval case is a slender, flat, fusiform, or spindle-shaped case which resembles a cantaloupe or pumpkin seed. The larva walks up a vertical surface and attaches the case at both ends with silk. If you have ichneumonid wasps, you can attract them to your yard by planting flowers that attract wasps and. The fully developed larva is about 7 mm long. 1956. Watson (1939) corroborated the preference of Pjerepeca uterella for woolen goods of all kinds. Finally, an early synonym established by Meyrick was recognized as the most appropriate name, and the species was named Phereoeca dubitatrix (Meyrick 1932). Arnett Jr RH. Take a broom to those high corners near the ceiling. Watson JR. 1939. Just a small perforation is enough for the dish soap to kill the bagworm. All have wingless (or nearly wingless) adult females that do not leave their bags, and the males are usually drab blackish shades. A fully developed larva has a case 8 to 14 mm long and 3 to 5 mm wide. And once they hatch into their adult counterparts, they become moths and can fly throughout your home which can lead to more damage. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. Lowering the relative humidity makes the environment less favorable to bagworms. Start by using the techniques listed here that you can do right away. Specific information of Phereoeca uterella biology is limited. The insect might use nearby lint, sand, or even dry plaster debris. Watson (1939) corroborated the preference of Phereoeca uterella for woolen goods of all kinds. Dish soap does indeed kill plaster bagworms and can be used as a home remedy for a pesticide. Its only the wool items you have to protect. 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. The eggs then remain stuck inside the bag, which is then usually found on your ceiling, walls, and yard. Here are some additional references you may find helpful: You should now have a solid foundation of knowledge to go ahead manage, control, and eradicate plaster bagworms from your property. 156, new series. After a while, the species in the peninsula was recognized as Tineola walsinghami. 1979. Insect Management Guide for Bagworms and Clothes Moths (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG090). 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 are bigger and wider while males are smaller and thinner. I find that using a combo of various repellents, bagworm removal methods, sticky traps, and natural deterrents work best. This is like an impermeable layer of protection from the elements- including liquids. The larvae part of their life cycle consists of walking around and foraging for food. Are you squeamish to even think about a caterpillar pulling a big bag around (and hiding in it)? Use a longer pole so you can avoid getting on a ladder. The tunnel is closed beneath by the larva to form a tube free from the substrate, and open at both ends. Interestingly enough, plaster bagworms dont consume food crumbs or leftovers you leave on the kitchen counter. Consider keeping spiders out of your property by using a variety of home control remedies: The best way to prevent spiders is to keep your home free of pests. Please help me. To address the wool problem, keep all of your items in sealed plastic bags. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. Bagworm cocoons ('bags') dangling from trees. At that point, the potential damage caused by these bugs is outstanding. Put on a pair of garden gloves, goggles, and long sleeves because were going to get dirty! Both of them are closely related species, but the casebearer and plaster bagworm are distinct species. As mentioned earlier, these bugs don't eat cotton or nylon. If you have bagworms that have built up extensively, you may notice damaged structural materials or cosmetic damage to your home. Theyre considered to be caterpillars at this point. Some observations on the plaster bagworm. Their eggs hatch when temperatures pick up after the winter. If no web is spun, then bagworms have nothing to eat. Like any other nuisance bug, plaster bagworms move into homes to find food and shelter. You only want to pass the sponge edges over the eggs and push them off- dont CRUSH them. LIFE CYCLE There is incomplete information about the life cycle of this insect in . They dont bite, sting, or transmit any dangerous diseases to people. First, manually remove all the bagworm larvae you can see in your home. However, we usually see only the empty larval or pupal cases of the household casebearer on walls of houses in south and central Florida. Once the eggs hatch, the larva spins a silk strand that hangs down it. Though they can also be found in broad daylight. Aiello (1979) indicates that the number of instars may vary among individuals of both sexes. The eggs can incubate over the winter before hatching into a large population of young plaster bagworms! Then spray the bagworm and the dish detergent will enter the bag. Theyre also found in South America and other southern countries. 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. Theyre mainly attracted to a stable food source with minimal disturbances. The caterpillars will drag their casing along the wall and set up shop near wall corners. Spring - Egg hatch occurs from late May to early June, at which time the larvae crawl out in search of food. With each molt, the larva enlarges its case. The larvae then build the bags you commonly see hanging on your ceiling. After the first case is completed, the larva starts moving around, pulling its case behind. Pupa: Pupation occurs inside the case. Im deathly afraid they will land on me when Im asleep so Plaster bagworms can destroy pricey wool and natural-fiber items. Have the soapy water spray everywhere . It is silk-lined inside and open at both ends. Always try, assess, and adjust as needed. Youll want to focus on eliminating SPIDER WEBS because this is their favorite thing to munch on. 1989. An Introduction to the Study of Insects. Check the. Thats just a waste of time, and probably impossible. Life history and behavior of the case-bearer. And if all else fails, consult a professional exterminator. Adult: Adult females have a wing span 10 to 13 mm long. 232 pp. The thing Im frightened most about is how they appear out of thin air. Abandoned webs are one of the prime food sources of bagworms. Since there are many different types of bagworm species, this depends on the type youre dealing with. Find an insecticide with any of these active ingredients: You can also use any commercial moth killer. Pour some into a spray bottle or garden sprayer and then prime it up. Its oval and features a somewhat flat profile, which is perfect for blending into walls. 1956. Does the thought of a giant moth flying out of the silk bag freak you out? Life Cycle. Use a vacuum cleaner or dish soap to dislodge them and get rid of them. Then, hang nylon socks with moth repellents like herbs and spices and tape them to the areas with heavy infestations. Plaster bagworms like to accumulate in garages and attics where most homeowners dont have proper cooling equipment. Florida Entomologist 17: 66. Do you see tiny, ovular cases that look like pumpkin seeds hanging from your roof? Plus, its a lot safer compared to chemical compounds which often leave behind nasty and dangerous residues. These are the protective bags of bagworms, also commonly confused with casebearers. 2000. But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". Visit the EDIS website at, . Theyll emerge when temperatures pick up in the springtime, so the best time to find a bunch of them is during the winter. They spread from tree to tree by ballooning (they spin a fine web and use wind currents to infest nearby trees). Adults at rest hold their wings tented over the body. In Florida, this braconid and an ichneumonid wasp, Lymeon orbum (Say), were reared from the household casebearer (Hetrick 1957). 1956. well, eep up the nice work fellows. The best time to spray for bagworms is in late spring, which is when most of the bagworm larvae have completed incubation and hatched from their eggs. Go ahead and mix a bucket full of water and a few drops of dish soap. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. Theyre the larvae form of moths and have two distinct phases of their lifecycle. Plaster bagworms breed and mate unusually compared to most other bugs you may be used to. 1989. This continues their lifecycle and propagation, which continues to spread bagworms throughout your property. To address the wool problem, keep all of your items in sealed plastic bags. In the fall, you can actually go around and pick the sacks off the trees yourself. This kills the plaster bagworm instantly. Females mate with males during the warmer months. Each molt results in a larger case. For example, Phereoeca allutella (Rebel) has been recorded in Hawaii, Panama, Canary Islands, Madeira, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India, Java, and Samoa.