Bagworms, What to do?

:eww: We have noticed bagworms on our trees and mainly shrubs.. how do you get rid of these nasty things? I also noticed that it seems to be pretty common in broadlands. We were talking a walk about a week ago and most of the trees/shrubs along the sidewalks had them...

 

Re: Bagworms, What to do??

The best management is to remove them and drop them in a bucket of soapy water. http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entfacts/trees/ef440.htm

 

Re: Bagworms, What to do??

Last year I clipped them off with wire cutters and threw them in the street to get run over. I didn't see any more after that so maybe the others saw what happened and learned their lesson.

 

Re: Bagworms, What to do??

You're joking, right?

 

Re: Bagworms, What to do??

Well, there weren't very many - just some in our little evergreen bushes. At the time I didn't know about the soapy water thing and didn't want to use chemicals. Was that so awful? I didn't think they could move or live without being attached to something...

 

Re: Bagworms, What to do??

I believe it - several years ago I found one walking along my patio and not knowing what it was I gently placed it on one of my shrubs

 

Re: Bagworms, What to do??

You know, maybe we're talking about different stages! Clipping one in its worm phase would be pretty gruesome. These were in the little bags hanging from the bush. I just clipped the evergreen needles with bagworm cocoons off.

 

Re: Bagworms, What to do??

It was a different stage but he was alive and well and I made sure he had a good food source! (duh)

 

Re: Bagworms, What to do??

DKukrer and others--

I have listed web site links and article links regarding Bagworm question under the Nature and Garden threads. We had some bagworm problems with our maple, birch, and some evergreen shrubs (i.e. junipers, etc.) last year and this is what I found when I researched.

Good solutions. By the way--bagworms are caused by bacterium and a bacterial spray is necessary to remedy the problem. Bt is a bacterial spray that is recommended in the web site and links on the Nature and Garden thread forum.

Please read and any more questions--feel free to ask.

Foodie

 

Re: Bagworms, What to do??

Propane torch! It's also satisfying

 

Re: Bagworms, What to do??

The best, and most effective treatment is to remove the bags by hand. Doing it now is best, before they become active and feeding. They are inside of their bags most of the time, so spraying is only effective in the short span of feeding/breeding, which can be easily missed, if you arent watching for movement.

Pinch the bags off the plant, drop into soapy water, as suggested, or into a plastic bag to suffocate. I know it sounds morbid, but its nicer than spraying chemicals!

 

Re: Bagworms, What to do??

Thanks for the responses. I have noticed them more on spruces and junipers. A few years back I do recall a bush that got infested... in the middle of summer when they were all moving around. I had tried spraying but it did not help.. they killed the entire thing in a week.. Totally disgusting. I will read up on the nature thread for more info.

Thanks,