This closing mechanism is very difficult to open from the outside. You mention how to get rid of these pests, but you dont say how to keep them from coming back into your house? They are easiest to identify by the bags they construct as they feed. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt and similar materials. This document is EENY003, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). [6] Systematics [ edit] Ten subfamilies [1] and about 240 genera are recognized among the bagworms. This continues their lifecycle and propagation, which continues to spread bagworms throughout your property. The larva walks up a vertical surface and attaches the case at both ends with silk. The larvae of the species of Tineidae of economic importance. They start as a caterpillar stuck in a silk case where theyll crawl around your home, eating old webs and debris. Pour some into a spray bottle or garden sprayer and then prime it up. However, you might see it peak its head out of one of those slits to eat. 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 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. The larva is a caterpillar that carries the case/bag along with it as it forages. Florida Entomologist 40: 145146. They eventually abandon the case after becoming an adult. Adults at rest hold their wings tented over the body. The heads of both sexes are uniformly clothed with dense, rough hairs. 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. proper identification by a specialist is advised, because case-bearing species other than Phereoeca uterella might be in those states. However, another name change occurred and the current official common and scientific names for this species are the household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. I dont ever see any hanging from Eggs are soft, pale bluish, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. Borror DJ, Triplehorn CA, Johnson NF. Use your machines attachments to suck up spiderwebs and plaster bagworm sacs as you see them. 1003 pp. However, the specimens that he collected from the Virgin Islands were misidentified. And if you have any questions, just leave a comment and Ill get back to you. Any place where spiderwebs accumulate will become a feasting ground for plaster bagworms. In South America, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham is known to be present in Brazil (state of Para) and Guyana. Invest in a portable AC, ductless AC, or window unit to keep every inch of your house climate controlled. 1956. I created this site to offer my 8 years of natural pest control experience to the public. Bagworms can be tracked through the different seasons. Entomological Society of America. However, the name household casebearer is now accepted under Phereoeca uterella, rather than the plaster bagworm. Original publication date September 1996. Sharyn. After it pupates into a moth, the adult moth can fly and will abandon the empty case. Theyre considered to be caterpillars at this point. Quick Tip: Youre most likely to encounter plaster bagworms if you live in the Southeastern United States. The new moth emerges around noon, leaving the pupal case exposed on the outer case. This kills the plaster bagworm instantly. Rooms or areas that are dirty or ignored will be swarming with empty cases and live larvae. Bagworm is a caterpillar that molts into a moth in the adult stage. Life Cycle (Back to Top) Eggs require more than 10 days to hatch. Why you have them, how they spread, and when theyre most active. 156, new series. Kea JW. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. Adult females have a wing span 10 to 13 mm long. The larva is also transported to nearby plants by wind. Original publication date September 1996. Thats why understanding their main sources of food is so important if you want to get rid of them! Plaster bagworms mainly survive on wool and spiderwebs. If you do find their cases stuck on your clothing or furniture, double-check for more so you can confirm it wasnt a fluke. Youll want to make its secure and wont fall into the mixture and nothing can knock it over. The host plants can be a variety of trees . Life Cycle (Back to Top) Eggs require more than 10 days to hatch. This is true during the period of their lifecycle when they pupate in the larvae case. You can also spray dish soap, vinegar, or essential oils for a residual effect. Thanks, You only want to pass the sponge edges over the eggs and push them off- dont CRUSH them. 39-43. They can show up in huge numbers rapidly if you dont start a pest management program. Namely, vespid wasps, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and other predatory flying insects will eat them up without hesitation. Manual removal takes time, but this is one way to clear out a room full of bags. Plaster bagworms are the tiny larvae you find on your walls and ceiling. 1957. Florida Entomologist 17: 66. Due to its food habits the household casebearer is a potential household pest. Plaster bagworms live in small, cocoon-like vessels that hang from ceilings and walls. How to Get Rid of Plaster Bagworms Naturally (Home Remedies), But for everything else, they should be a minimal threat. Leave the lamp on overnight. Old cases of its own species were chewed as well. The plaster bagworm often is confused with the household casebearer. Theyre also found in South America and other southern countries. Plaster worms thrive when the humidity is high. 1956. The adult bagworms will fly into the zapper and get fried. The Entomologist 89: 4247. In most states there is only one generation per year. Although this isnt the most efficient way of controlling and managing them, its a safe and quick way to bring down their numbers. Webs of insects such as booklice (Psocoptera) and webspinners (Embioptera) from tree trunks were also suitable food. Its only the wool items you have to protect. ), They dont do anything but attract flying pests, burn electricity, and attract spiders which spin webs nearby (which may be why you have a bunch of. Another related species of case-bearing moths is Praececodes atomosella (tecophora) (Walker 1863). For spiderwebs, clean your house regularly. Pupa: Pupation occurs inside the case. Theyll eat old webs because of the silk fiber necessary to produce their case. It secrets silk to build a foundation at both ends and uses various debris to add to the case. 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 very easy to make and you probably already have the necessary materials lying around your home! You might also find them hanging off of exterior stucco, near outdoor lights, or underneath chairs and benches. Use as directed. Eggs are soft, pale bluish, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. But follow the manufacturers directions. Of course, wasps themselves arent friendly and you definitely dont want them hanging around for too long. How to get rid of plaster bagworms naturally, Use a bug zapper to kill adult bagworm moths. If you dont suspect that you have a severe bagworm problem and that theyre just concentrated in one area, try manual removal. Life Cycle. This document is also available on the Featured Creatures website athttp://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/. The eggs look like small blue ovals with a pale tint and are less than 0.5mm in length. Theyre not THAT hard to get rid of. Entomologica Americana 13: 151203. University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 619. until they pupate. 1933. The caterpillar larvae are the larvae phase of their lifecycle. Leaving them in there allows them to escape. Read some reviews. Your vacuum cleaner is your best friend against plaster bagworms. 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. Arnett Jr RH. Theres a visible tuft of hair on the head and wing edges. Plaster bagworms have a diet of wool, spiderwebs, and even the discarded cases of other bagworms. When disturbed, it encloses itself in the case by pulling the bottom side up. They look like theyve been here for a while. For spiderwebs, clean your house regularly. They roam around with their cases in search of food - random debris, spiderwebs, fabrics, plaster, and even furniture. Plaster bagworms eat abandoned spider webs, fabric, wool, and even the larval cases of other bagworms. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, requires high humidity to complete its development, a limiting factor for its dispersion throughout the rest of the country. Never leave drinks uncapped or opened throughout the day, Use your AC to keep moisture content controlled, Reduce the number of total spiders in your home and youll have fewer webs to deal with. Life history and behavior of the case-bearer. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). The larva cuts a short slit along both edges to make that end flatter, which acts as a valve. There are six to seven larval instars that require about 50 days to mature. So most species of bagworms will hatch in the springtime. Start out with what you have available in your home already (the easiest ways), then move on to the harder ones assuming that you still have plaster bagworms crawling around your house. Sparrows are commonly chosen because theyre easy to attract and have a wide dispersion across the US. 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. The cases are constructed by the larval (caterpillar) stage and often attract attention when found in homes. Bosik JJ et al. The larvae part of their life cycle consists of walking around and foraging for food. Dehumidifiers are often placed in basements, but there are other use cases for them, such as in closets where you store damp clothes or other smaller areas where too much moisture can cause a problem such as bathrooms, RVs, boats, and more. Regardless, theyre not something most homeowners will welcome with an embracing hug into their homes, so take measures to get rid of them. She remains inside while the winged, male moth does emerge to fly about the infested tree to locate the waiting female. There are some that believe that the real legs help it walk on floors, while the false legs that have hooks on the ends allow it to walk inside its protective case. I just moved here four months ago. Creighton JT. After all, the last thing you need is harmful toxic residues floating around your home just to keep some bagworms out. Take a broom to those high corners near the ceiling. Entomological Society of America. The larva has three pair of well-developed, brown legs. Reviewed June 2020. 1997). 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 caterpillar is only about a quarter of an inch long. The differences are minimal and dont really matter for clearing the infestation anyway. Go ahead and mix a bucket full of water and a few drops of dish soap. How do you get rid of moth eggs on the wall? Pheno Forecast maps predict key life cycle stages in invasive and pest species, to improve management efficacy. Not only will it lower the ambient temperatures inside, but itll also continually work to remove moisture from the air. However, proper identification by a specialist is advised, because case-bearing species other than P. uterella might be in those states. The ventral prolegs are white, and are located on abdominal segments 3 to 6 and 10. Whatever you call them, these insects have several distinct traits. You can protect your garden from bagworms by using moth-repellent plants like lavender, marigold, and mugworts (see the list above). The adults mate around the same time, which means the larvae eggs are deposited simultaneously. You can make your own plan. Follow the directions from the manufacturer and see if it helps get rid of the plaster bagworms. The larva cuts a short slit along both edges to make that end flatter, which acts as a valve. 2000. Though they can also be found in broad daylight. Egg: After mating, females lay their eggs on crevices and the junction of walls and floors, cementing them on debris. Each bagworm spins its own cocoon nest, where it spends most of its life. The first record of this species came from Lord Walsingham in 1897 (Busck, 1933). 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. The eggs then remain stuck inside the bag, which is then usually found on your ceiling, walls, and yard. Very small particles of sand, soil, iron rust, insect droppings, arthropod remains, hairs and other fibers are added on the outside. You can quickly remove a ton of bags hanging on your ceiling by using a garden hose with a spray nozzle. Birds are also an effective means of managing bagworm populations. Some bagworms will eat fibers such as rugs, furniture, clothing, and other natural fibers- especially wool. You can also use a long pole to scrape them off, but this could result in your crushing them which can damage your ceiling. When disturbed, it encloses itself in the case by pulling the bottom side up. The eggs can incubate over the winter before hatching into a large population of young plaster bagworms! If you have bagworm infestations in your trees, this is likely a different type of species- not a plaster bagworm. Remove the dead bagworm safely. Theres no single foolproof technique. The compound eyes are prominent. Things like deck lights, patio lights, pathway markers, security lights, and any other light source thats not necessary should be turned off. See if its working or not. Bulletin No. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. Reviewed June 2020. So the dish soap actually will slip right off and wont kill the bagworm if you spray it directly. Bagworms are prolific breeders and simply spread by the adult female moth depositing her eggs all over your property. Entomol. Are you seeing their bag (cases) dangling from your garage ceiling? This allows them to quickly reproduce and build up to extreme numbers. 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. Pests that try to climb up will be stuck on the tape and cant get across. Theyre commonly found under webs, bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, rugs, carpets, curtains, joists, sills, foundations, subflooring, building exteriors, farm sheds, lawn furniture, farm machinery, tree trunks, and even under your home. Plaster Bagworm 6,145 views May 5, 2021 Phereoeca uterella is a species of moth belonging to the family Tineidae. I may be able to help you out! They are really gross and now its a phobia for me. You dont need to make a huge hole in it. They immediately begin feeding on host plants. Quick Tip: If you have a lot of wool clothing, dont be surprised if you find them destroying it. Youll need to get a lengthy object with a pointed end to make punctures. Always empty your vacuum bags or dump out the canister. They can also eat fungus and mold spores found on wooden structures. After they pupate, they emerge as an adult moth. In 1956, Hinton and Bradley described the new genus Phereoeca, in order to separate the true Tineola from this and other species of flat case-bearing moths. Do what works best for you. 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. After the first case is completed, the larva starts moving around, pulling its case behind. Some heavy infestations will require commercial pesticides to handle. Blast them off and clean them up. 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. Creighton JT. When youre out of ideas, consult a professional (licensed) pest control company. Some people and pets may be sensitive to essential oils, talcum powder, diatomaceous earth, boric acid, etc. Egg: In late summer and fall, the female lays up to 1,000 eggs in her case. Any standard handheld vacuum cleaner will make quick work of bagworms without making a mess. 1979. Hinton HE. These bugs go by many other names, with some people referring to them as dust worms or household case bearers. Eventually, the plaster bagworm becomes a moth. 1997). In 1956, Hinton and Bradley described the new genus Phereoeca, in order to separate the true Tineola from this and other species of flat case-bearing moths. Btk has known adverse effects to humans, so make you use the proper PPE when handling and applying it. Busck A. If youre finding bagworms in your trees, bushes, or plants outside, they may not be plaster bagworms. Theres no need to use it during the daytime because moths are nocturnal (active at night). Bagworms move about freely to feed, and they carry their bags with them. Watson JR. 1946. Meanwhile, hooked false legs help it turn around inside the casing. Aiello A. This is when theyre most active and also the hardest time to get rid of them because their numbers are in full force. I find that using a combo of various repellents, bagworm removal methods, sticky traps, and natural deterrents work best. The insect might use nearby lint, sand, or even dry plaster debris. The bag will usually have a mixture of soil, felt, woolens, hair, sand, feces, fibers, and other debris they harvest from your home. Scales are also visible. On the top and bottom of the oval-shaped case, theres a slit-like opening. The same year Kea wrote about the food habits of the species present in Florida, using the name given by Walsingham (T. uterella). Pay special attention to dusty cabinets and bookshelves. The lifecycle of a bagworm is nothing special. This may help bring down their numbers and keep them out of your home. In South America, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham is known to be present in Brazil (state of Para) and Guyana. Hetrick LA. Abandoned webs are one of the prime food sources of bagworms. Any bags that are still alive can be killed by dunking them into a bucket of soapy water. Are you squeamish to even think about a caterpillar pulling a big bag around (and hiding in it)? Phereoeca uterella is a species of moth belonging to the family Tineidae. I share handy DIY pest techniques I come across here to help out others (and possibly save them from a mental breakdown). Just a small perforation is enough for the dish soap to kill the bagworm. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. Watson JR. 1946. Juan A. Villaneuva-Jimenez and Thomas R. Fasulo; Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611. 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. Control of three household insects. Biology: This moth is closely related to the Household Casebearer, which is discussed separately and which is a distinct species. Wing venation is very important for genera identification, and was described by Hinton and Bradley in 1956. A braconid wasp,Apanteles carpatus(Say), parasitizes larvae of case-bearing moths, killing the larva before pupation. Photograph by Juan A. Villanueva-Jimnez, University of Florida. The caterpillar larvae rarely can be seen by people. Climb up there safely, and start picking them off your ceiling. State of Florida, Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee. Theyll emerge when temperatures pick up in the springtime, so the best time to find a bunch of them is during the winter. Keep it handy for the next time you encounter one. The silk lining allows orifices at both ends. Fast. Their eggs hatch when temperatures pick up after the winter. Introduction The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. The winters cold weather kills both adult male and female plaster bagworms, but the larvae overwinter by hiding. While it might not seem complex, theres a right and wrong way to deal with these insects! In constructing the case, the larva secretes silk to build an arch attached at both ends to the substrate. Once the eggs hatch, the larva spins a silk strand that hangs down it. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt, and similar materials. Res. Plaster bagworms have a few natural enemies that eat them. Plaster bagworms are so distinct that many people refer to them as a separate entity entirely. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. Regardless, the techniques to get rid of them remain largely the same and are effective for both. 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. The largest cases are about 8-14mm in length with a 3-4mm width. Aiello (1979) succeeded in rearing specimens of the related species Phereoeca allutella by offering them dead mosquitoes and her own hair. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt and similar materials. Crawling insects are not effective because they rarely go upside down on your ceiling and have the ability to puncture the casing of the larvae bagworm. 200 eggs may be laid by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. Females are bigger and wider while males are smaller and thinner. Braconid wasps are effective at killing the larvae and will stop them from pupating. Eggs are soft, pale blue, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. Bagworms lay eggs that hatch as moths between the last days of May through the early weeks of June. They start appearing in spring and the population increases over time until august and September. In Florida, this braconid and an ichneumonid wasp, Lymeon orbum (Say), were reared from the household casebearer (Hetrick 1957). And dont forget about the light that comes from inside your home. Insect Management Guide for Bagworms and Clothes Moths (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG090). Bags on spruce will look completely different from those on arborvitae or honey locust because the host plant material is incorporated into the bag. Do some research. The antennae are filiform (threadlike), as long as the wings, and are held back over the body. The heads of both sexes are uniformly clothed with dense, rough hairs. Adults at rest hold their wings tented over the body. Reduce the number of total spiders in your home and youll have fewer webs to deal with. At the tip of each proleg there is an ellipse formed by 23 to 25 very small crochets (a small hook). Anything below 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit should be more than enough to deter plaster bagworms from coming in. Over many months, you may end up with a TON of plaster bagworms, especially if you dont keep your home maintained. Adult: Adult females have a wing span 10 to 13 mm long. Males are smaller (wing span: 7 to 9 mm) and thinner than the female, with a less distinctive wing pattern. Theyre not as bad as dust mites and cockroaches, but allergy-sufferers can still feel the effects of their presence. First, manually remove all the bagworm larvae you can see in your home. Theres no single method that always works. Then place it on the floor and grab a ladder. I keep my apartment clean. Watson JR. 1939. And if all else fails, consult a professional exterminator. 1933. 232 pp. Curiously enough, plaster bagworms are the larval stage of a moth! You can also make your own moth trap at home. Plaster bagworms breed and mate unusually compared to most other bugs you may be used to. Psyche 86: 125136. Hinton HE, Bradley JD. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. For plaster bagworms, this is usually on ceilings, walls, and other humid areas with plenty of debris for the larvae to consume. The case that it carries around wherever it feeds is what is immediately recognized. Sometimes its a day or two and I dont see them and then suddenly I The caterpillars will drag their casing along the wall and set up shop near wall corners. There are many types and brands of sticky tape and traps. The silk they use can be wrapped around the twigs which can kill the tree in the future, especially if its not established. Both ends of the case are identical and are used by the larva to hide. Too terrified to puncture them. Each bagworm generation lives just long enough as adults to mate and reproduce in their annual cycle. Life Cycle Management Common name: . But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". The remaining mouth parts are reduced and adults do not feed. 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. As mentioned earlier, these bugs don't eat cotton or nylon. The best course of action is to vacuum everything. Female adults will keep their bags, which has her pupal case and this is where the eggs are deposited. Entomologica Americana 13: 151-203. Life cycle of bagworms The adult female moth does not leave the bag the caterpillar created. Please help. An adult female moth that has mated has found its way into your home and laid eggs on your walls. You also may come across additional areas of activity. Even though itll kill the baby bagworm, youll be left with a bunch of egg debris and bagworm guts all over your walls. Inside the bag the caterpillar transforms to the moth stage. The larva is not usually seen by most people. Youll also want to make sure that you use a desktop lamp thats rated for hours of continuous usage. 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. Consider hiring a professional exterminator if you have specific questions on using natural predators to handle plaster bagworms. The key is to only plant whats in season and grows in your hardiness zone. 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. Take a broom to those high corners near the ceiling. Plaster bagworms are unwelcome guests that can quickly wreak havoc on your home. Add the water and dish soap to the container. What is the life cycle of a plaster Bagworm? If you have ichneumonid wasps, you can attract them to your yard by planting flowers that attract wasps and avoiding ones that dont. When it comes to how to organically kill bagworms, the birds do it best by going around the tree and eating the worms. Theres no limit to where the cases are found. You can also set up moth traps to catch any adults that attempt to lay eggs to stop future pest problems. 3943. However, we usually see only the empty larval or pupal cases of the household casebearer on walls of houses in south and central Florida. The inside of the arch is lined exclusively by silk, and is gradually extended to form a tunnel, while the larva stays inside. You can get rid of household casebearers using similar home remedies to bagworms such as essential oils, manual removal, soapy water, and vacuuming. Learn more. Your email address will not be published. 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. Aiello (1979) succeeded in rearing specimens of the related species Phereoeca allutella by offering them dead mosquitoes and her own hair. The thing Im frightened most about is how they appear out of thin air. Eggs take about 1-2 weeks to hatch but vary depending on environmental conditions, species, and temperature. The lifecycle of a bagworm is nothing special. State of Florida, Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee. It can be found under spiderwebs, in bathrooms, bedrooms and garages. 1956. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. Plus, its a lot safer compared to chemical compounds which often leave behind nasty and dangerous residues. Bagworms will eat wool, but they dont eat other materials used in clothing like nylon, cotton, spandex, and polyester. This tends to be areas like your garage, attic, stucco, vinyl, sidings, and basement, but they can also be found in the bedroom, kitchen, and any other room of your home or apartment. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). You can make your DIY bagworm killer at home using the following recipe: Mix them gently, but avoid excessive foaming of the dish soap.