1003 pp. There are two pairs of buccal appendages called palps. Currently an active researcher in the pest control industry for the past 8 years- with a focus on using natural and organic methods to eliminate pest problems. Turns out, there are a ton of DIY home remedies you can do for free (or damn close to free) without having to spend money on expensive and dangerous chemicals. 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. I dont ever see any hanging from An adult female moth that has mated has found its way into your home and laid eggs on your walls. Aiello A. Biology: This moth is closely related to the Household Casebearer, which is discussed separately and which is a distinct species. See if its working or not. In constructing the case, the larva secretes silk to build an arch attached at both ends to the substrate. Manual picking or vacuuming of cases and spider web removal should be enough to keep this species under control. Read some reviews. The eggs can incubate over the winter before hatching into a large population of young plaster bagworms! 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. Bagworm cocoons ('bags') dangling from trees. When disturbed, it encloses itself in the case by pulling the bottom side up. Do they bite? The host plants can be a variety of trees . Its bred from bacteria found in the soil and can kill bagworms very quickly. If youre trying to get rid of plaster bagworms, consider cranking up the AC a bit more than normal. Hetrick (1957) found that the most common and abundant food of the household casebearer in Florida is old spider webs, consumed in large quantities. Here is a glimpse into the various Bagworm life stages - The eggs of Bagworm moths hatch in end of May and beginning of June. Even though itll kill the baby bagworm, youll be left with a bunch of egg debris and bagworm guts all over your walls. Both of them are closely related species, but the casebearer and plaster bagworm are distinct species. Another microbe you can easily wipe out bagworms is spinosad. Do some research. They may also have been smuggled into your house from newly purchased products, such as plants, carpet, furniture, and more. Males are smaller (wing span: 7 to 9 mm) and thinner than the female, with a less distinctive wing pattern. Most people will see bagworm activity during the warmer months such as August and September. The case that it carries around wherever it feeds is what is immediately recognized. Once the larvae hatch, the larvae begin to spin a silk strand and hang down from it. Very small particles of sand, soil, iron rust, insect droppings, arthropod remains, hairs and other fibers are added on the outside. 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. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). The key is to only plant whats in season and grows in your hardiness zone. Latin Name: Phereoeca praecox Common Name: Plaster Bagworm Other Names: Wall bagworm Pest Details Origin: This moth may be native to Latin America and is more common in southern California than anywhere else in the U.S. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Go ahead and mix a bucket full of water and a few drops of dish soap. How Long Can Bed Bugs Live Without Food From A Host? Another related species of case-bearing moths is Praececodes atomosella (tecophora) (Walker 1863). 1979. And the trick isnt to smear them because thatll just break the egg. Since webs are largely transparent and invisible, you can use a flashlight and shine it around darker corners of the room to make sure you dont miss any. Hetrick LA. Furthermore, household casebearer larvae did not eat cotton products offered by Kea. Once you lift the sponge from the surface, it allows eggs to get caught UNDER it which will smear them. They can show up in huge numbers rapidly if you dont start a pest management program. This closing mechanism is very difficult to open from the outside. Once the caterpillar becomes a moth, these bugs can create even more issues. Plaster bagworms are found in coaster states where temperatures are high and humidity is prevalent. Aiello (1979) succeeded in rearing specimens of the related species Phereoeca allutella by offering them dead mosquitoes and her own hair. And dont forget about the light that comes from inside your home. Plaster bagworms are so distinct that many people refer to them as a separate entity entirely. The bagworm nest is made of silk, twigs, and bits of leaves. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt and similar materials. University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 619. 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. Bags of mature larvae are up to 2" (5 cm) long and 0.5" (1.2 cm) wide. American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. In most cases, plaster bagworms start their life outdoors. Finally, an early synonym established by Meyrick was recognized as the most appropriate name, and the species was named Phereoeca dubitatrix (Meyrick 1932). Hinton HE, Bradley JD. Plaster bagworms arent inherently dangerous. Theyre especially prevalent in the state of Florida. 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. The bags gradually enlarge as they feed during the summer to house the growing caterpillar. So if you have a lot of bagworms, this is why. The caterpillar larvae rarely can be seen by people. Moth eggs on your walls can be ridden by using a wet sponge dipped in soapy water. Leave the lamp on overnight. The case is constructed by the earliest larval stage (1st instar) before it hatches, and is enlarged by each successive instar. Are plaster bagworms harmful to humans? Household Pests. Bosik JJ, et al. The ceiling and believe me , I look! However, proper identification by a specialist is advised, because case-bearing species other than P. uterella might be in those states. Creighton JT. 2000. Were happy to help. Theyre also not picky about shelter provided that their humidity needs are met. The anterior crochets are bigger and broader than posterior ones by one third, which is a good detail for identification. Plaster bagworms can destroy pricey wool and natural-fiber items. Find an insecticide with any of these active ingredients: You can also use any commercial moth killer. Even if you sweep away spiderwebs, the bugs food source only ends up on the floor. The compound eyes are prominent. Youll want to start your treatment plan to control them by doing a thorough cleaning of infested areas where you see them. To address the wool problem, keep all of your items in sealed plastic bags. If you have bagworm infestations in your trees, this is likely a different type of species- not a plaster bagworm. Climb up there safely, and start picking them off your ceiling. Figure 5. Later cases are flattened and widest in the middle, allowing the larva to turn around inside. Boca Raton. However, we usually see only the empty larval or pupal cases of the household casebearer on walls of houses in south and central Florida. Both ends of the case are identical, and are used by the larva to hide. The heads of both sexes are uniformly clothed with dense, rough hairs. The cocoon is made up of silk fiber and other organic materials. Use a longer pole so you can avoid getting on a ladder. Pour some into a spray bottle or garden sprayer and then prime it up. Theyre the larvae form of moths and have two distinct phases of their lifecycle. I thought they were joking St in my clothes and furniture but Ive noticed them in my ceiling and I am terrified. Eggs are soft, pale bluish, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. Creighton JT. And if you have any questions, just leave a comment and Ill get back to you. With each molt, the larva enlarges its case. Its a passive way to repel them and stop plaster bagworms without having to do any work. The bag will usually have a mixture of soil, felt, woolens, hair, sand, feces, fibers, and other debris they harvest from your home. Once the eggs hatch, the larva spins a silk strand that hangs down it. Theyre mainly attracted to a stable food source with minimal disturbances. 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. until they pupate. The maxillary palps are smaller than the labial palps, and are folded inwards. It can be found under spiderwebs, in bathrooms, bedrooms and garages. New York. 875 pp. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. The complete life cycle of plaster bagworms contains 6-7 instars and takes about 40-50 days to complete. After that, set up sticky traps in that area to catch any larvae that crawl across them. 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. State of Florida, Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee. Florida Entomologist 40: 145146. 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. One end of the case is then modified. 200 eggs may be laid by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. This continues their lifecycle and propagation, which continues to spread bagworms throughout your property. Theyre not THAT hard to get rid of. Plaster bagworms are not harmful to humans. Observations on species of Lepidoptera infesting stored products. Dont scrub up and down. Moth traps can help catch the adult bagworm moths and reduce the number of progeny in the future. So they have both a crawling and flying phase. This is important to distinguish for ridding plaster bagworms because you can tell which part of the casebearer life cycle the bug is currently in. As the worm grows it spins a silken bag around its body, camouflaged with bits and pieces of the host foliage. You can reduce the humidity in rooms where you see them dangling from the roof by doing the following: Set up box fans or air circulators to keep moisture moving (point them at windows and doors facing OUT of the room that has high humidity). I find that simply using a pen taped to rod or pole is enough. This means they came from an adult female moth and will grow into a moth. The new moth emerges around noon, leaving the pupal case exposed on the outer case. Revised July 2005, April 2010, April 2014, and April 2017. Plus, you dont have to deal with the bug guts if you squish one yourself. 1997). Thats why theyre so prevalent in states like Florida. Fortunately, getting rid of plaster bagworms is pretty easy if you take the proper steps. Theyre considered to be caterpillars at this point. They might stay on your exterior door or near a porch light. Plaster bagworm, the destructive household pest The white-grey cocoon-like things on your walls and ceilings can cause damage to your belongings and should be removed to prevent infestation.. Old cases of its own species were chewed as well. 39-43. However, another name change occurred and the current official common and scientific names for this species are the household casebearer, Phereoeca uterellaWalsingham. 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. This will help deter and repel bagworms naturally. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). And once they hatch into their adult counterparts, they become moths and can fly throughout your home which can lead to more damage. Soon after hatching, a worm about the size of a pencil lead starts eating the foliage. Lastly, you can also attract natural predators to help eat up moths and larvae like, How to Get Rid of Puss Caterpillars Naturally (Ultimate, How to Get Rid of Hummingbird Moths Naturally (Ultimate, How to Get Rid of Squash Bugs Naturally (Organic DIY, How to Get Rid of Oleander Pests Naturally (Aphids,, How to Get Rid of Mole Crickets Naturally (DIY Guide), How to Get Rid of Pests on Geraniums Naturally (Fast and, How to Get Rid of Glassy Winged Sharpshooters (Naturally), How to Get Rid of Blister Beetles Naturally (Guide). The same year Kea wrote about the food habits of the species present in Florida, using the name given by Walsingham (T. uterella). Entomologica Americana 13: 151203. The females lay more than 200 eggs in a small, protective casing. Not only will it lower the ambient temperatures inside, but itll also continually work to remove moisture from the air. The case is constructed by the earliest larval stage (1st instar) before it hatches, and is enlarged by each successive instar. Photograph by Juan A. Villanueva-Jimnez, University of Florida. Be sure to use the right food for the right bird species. Borror DJ, Triplehorn CA, Johnson NF. Entomol. At the tip of each proleg there is an ellipse formed by 23 to 25 very small crochets (a small hook). The plaster bagworm has 4 life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Stand back and assess. Take the container and put it somewhere that you commonly see bagworm moths- this can be outdoors or indoors like your garage, basement, bedroom, etc. Plaster Bagworm 101: How To Get Rid Of Them Quickly, How To Get Rid Of Plaster Bagworms In Your House, 21 Plants That Repel Wasps (Highly Effective), How To Get Rid Of Skinks: Everything You Need To Know, How To Keep Fruit Flies Away From Bananas (Simple Tips). Orkin Termite Treatment, Pest Control & Exterminator Service | Orkin Wasps are one of the main predators of bagworms, so you should focus on getting more of them to your yard to help clean up the infestation. Plaster bagworms breed and mate unusually compared to most other bugs you may be used to. This is like an impermeable layer of protection from the elements- including liquids. The hindwings are just a solid gray or dark brown color with no patterning. They spread from tree to tree by ballooning (they spin a fine web and use wind currents to infest nearby trees). Life history and behavior of the case-bearer Phereoeca allutella (Lepidoptera: Tineidae). Control of three household insects. Youll want to focus on eliminating SPIDER WEBS because this is their favorite thing to munch on. 1956. 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. Bagworm Life Cycle. While they might be small, a large population can wreak havoc on all of your prized garments. You can get rid of household casebearers using similar home remedies to bagworms such as essential oils, manual removal, soapy water, and vacuuming. Old cases of its own species were chewed as well. Your email address will not be published. Take a broom to those high corners near the ceiling. Perhaps for this reason, the accepted common name ofPhereoeca uterellais now listed as the household casebearer, instead of plaster bagworm (Bosik et al. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt and similar materials. But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". The fully developed larva is about 7 mm long, It has a dark brown head, and the rest of the body is white, except for the lateral and dorsal plates on the three thoracic segments close to the head, which are hardened and dark. Boca Raton. An Introduction to the Study of Insects. The bagworm has two separate phases of its life cycle that calls for distinct appearances. And theres no shame in doing this if the service is good and the price is fair. 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. Over many months, you may end up with a TON of plaster bagworms, especially if you dont keep your home maintained. Well, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension, these wasps live for only two weeks (remember, not where they can cause contamination, sting, or bite, but inside of bagworm eggs), and die shortly after. For plaster bagworms, this is usually on ceilings, walls, and other humid areas with plenty of debris for the larvae to consume. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. The bagworm is a perennial insect pest of arborvitae, juniper, pine, spruce, and many other evergreen species (including Christmas trees). This may help bring down their numbers and keep them out of your home. 1997. When it comes to how to organically kill bagworms, the birds do it best by going around the tree and eating the worms. The larva builds the case before it hatches and each instar forces a larger case. Im wanting to know, could they have been here when I got here and I just notice them? The thing to note is that when you see it hanging upside down, its likely not pupating yet. The anterior crochets are bigger and broader than posterior ones by one third, which is a good detail for identification. Ive been here six years and suddenly these things started to The eggs hatched and the larvae created those infamous silk bags you see all over the place. Why you have them, how they spread, and when theyre most active. It has a dark brown head, and the rest of the body is white, except for the lateral and dorsal plates on the three thoracic segments close to the head, which are hardened and dark. Hi there! You can also spray dish soap, vinegar, or essential oils for a residual effect. However, the name household casebearer is now accepted under Phereoeca uterella, rather than the plaster bagworm. She remains inside while the winged, male moth does emerge to fly about the infested tree to locate the waiting female. One of the most effective ways to get rid of plaster bagworms in your house is to maintain cooler temperatures inside. 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. Swap your outdoor lighting to yellow bulbs or just dont turn on your lights at night. Then place them around your yard to keep the bagworms away. Also, there are many different types of sticky tapes and sticky traps you can use. Each constructs a small bag around its hind parts with silk and plant material. 1956. You can also set up moth traps to catch any adults that attempt to lay eggs to stop future pest problems. Egg: In late summer and fall, the female lays up to 1,000 eggs in her case. Juan A. Villaneuva-Jimenez and Thomas R. Fasulo; Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611. You can make your DIY bagworm killer at home using the following recipe: Mix them gently, but avoid excessive foaming of the dish soap. After the bagworm eggs hatch, the larvae start spinning a silk strand that dangles down from the pouch. Control of four household insects. Control of four household insects. So, what about the actual bug? The larvae can damage your ceiling, walls, stucco, and other materials over time, though this can be fixed for most infestations. The females will deposit up to 200 eggs by attaching them to surfaces where the larvae are likely to have a food source. You can control and manage plaster bagworms in your home and garden using a variety of DIY home remedies. After it pupates into a moth, the adult moth can fly and will abandon the empty case. The only thing Id be wary about is to study the pesticides they use and check out the MSDS on them. No method is as simple, free, and convenient as removing them by hand. Though they can also be found in broad daylight. This document is also available on the Featured Creatures website at, Pests in and around the Southern Home (SP486), Pests that Occasionally Invade Structures, http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/, UF/IFAS Electronic Data Information System, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Bagworm is a caterpillar that molts into a moth in the adult stage. They start appearing in spring and the population increases over time until august and September. Like any other nuisance bug, plaster bagworms move into homes to find food and shelter. These little buggers have some other common names: Because the household casebearer and the plaster bagworms are so alike, theres a lot of confusion between the two species. The cases are constructed by the larval (caterpillar) stage and often attract attention when found in homes. Microlepidoptera of Cuba. And then utilize these plants to keep the bagworms away: Whatever zone you live in, you should be able to find a few plants. Thanks, The larval case is a slender, flat, fusiform, or spindle-shaped case which resembles a cantaloupe or pumpkin seed. Before eclosion the pupa pulls itself halfway through the valve. They may have other suggestions for the best time to spray. Each molt results in a larger case. The dish soap easily removes the moth eggs stuck on your wall, but for stubborn eggs, you may have to use a peeler. Of course, monitor your tape and traps to check the progress. Interestingly enough, plaster bagworms dont consume food crumbs or leftovers you leave on the kitchen counter. Your vacuum cleaner is your best friend against plaster bagworms. The household casebearer,Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. The caterpillars will drag their casing along the wall and set up shop near wall corners. The life cycle can continue until you have thousands and thousands of plaster bagworms to get rid of. 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. The largest cases are about 8-14mm in length with a 3-4mm width. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". Other Common Names Eastern Bagworm Common Basket Worm North American Bagworm Size Wingspan of males: about 1 inch. 1956. The adult bagworms will fly into the zapper and get fried. by finding a recipe online, Eliminating crawl spaces, cracks, and other points of entry, Sealing up foundational or structural damage, Sprinkling diatomaceous earth around your property, Using talcum powder, baby powder, or boric acid in common areas of spider infestation, The key is to only plant whats in season and grows in your hardiness zone. The lifecycle of a bagworm is nothing special. They dont bite, sting, or transmit any dangerous diseases to people. Each bagworm spins its own cocoon nest, where it spends most of its life. Theyll eat old webs because of the silk fiber necessary to produce their case. One second I look and nothing and I turn around for 5 seconds and one is on the floor or wall crawling. 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 are small and look like pale-bluish seeds that are stuck on surfaces, usually in a dark area or hidden from view. Some observations on the plaster bagworm. There are six to seven larval instars that require about 50 days to mature. Life cycle of bagworms The adult female moth does not leave the bag the caterpillar created.