Are you worried about pests destroying your trees? Unfortunately, trees in the landscape are subject to all kinds of potential problems like diseases, environmental stressors, and pests.
One of the pests that we deal with here in Ohio is the bagworm.
Bagworms in trees can lead to serious problems if left untreated. That’s why we’re talking about this troublesome pest.
What is a Bagworm?
A bagworm is a type of caterpillar. As the name suggests, they are characterized by their case or “bag,” that they form for shelter. These bags are actually made from a combination of the caterpillar’s silk as well as pieces of your tree’s foliage. The bags can be as long as two inches and are easily spotted by the human eye.
In fact, bagworms in trees in Ohio are typically first identified by their bags, which are much more noticeable hanging from the tree than the pest itself.
Bagworm eggs typically hatch between late May and early June. The resulting larvae begin feeding right away. Young bagworms will also begin constructing their own protective casing.
By early fall, mature larvae will transform into pupa before becoming adults. Males will emerge from their bags in early fall in search of females. After mating, the cycle begins all over again with the female laying several hundred eggs in their bag.
This can become an ongoing problem until the bagworms destroy your entire tree. Young bagworm damage will just look like small holes after feeding. But mature bagworms can consume entire leaves.
If you have a serious infestation of bagworms in trees, you could lose the trees.
Bagworms do tend to prefer evergreens like Arborvitae, Pine, Spruce, and Juniper. But they have also been known to attack deciduous trees like Sycamore, Willow, and Honeylocust.
How to Treat Bagworms in Trees
As with any pest problem, early detection is important. You don’t want to wait until you have a full-blown infestation to deal with this problem. By then, the bagworms could do serious damage.
You might be wondering what kills bagworms in trees. It is possible to hand-pick or cut the bags from infested plants prior to their hatching. But if you have a lot of bags, this isn’t going to be a feasible approach.
When bagworms are too numerous to address by hand, you can partner with a professional to apply a systemic treatment to address the bagworms.
If you know that you have had bagworms in trees in the past, then you will want to be proactive about preventing future problems. As we’ve mentioned, bagworms can quickly get you stuck in a never-ending cycle if they aren’t addressed. You’ll keep seeing bagworms season after season until they finally decimate your tree.
A Professional “Eye” on Your Side
One of the best aspects of working with a professional lawn care company is that they should always be looking out for potential problems on your property. Even if you have only invested in lawn care, our lawn care technicians are trained enough in plant health care to spot a problem early. We’ll then make recommendations about how to proceed.
Of course, investing in plant health care services in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky means that we can treat existing problems and also look for emerging ones. Bagworms are a common pest here in our area, but there are many others as well. It’s not uncommon for trees and shrubs to deal with multiple issues at the same time.
You want to make sure that you get the right diagnosis and implement the best treatment.
Having a tree and shrub expert visit your property on a regular basis will ensure that your plants are kept looking and performing their best. An expert can spot a problem in its early stages and get a plan of action underway immediately.
Problems like bagworms can be a source of frustration and stress. But with an ongoing eye on your property, it will no longer have to be your worry.
If you want to find out more about tree and shrub health care for your Cincinnati, Dayton, OH, or Northern Kentucky home, call us today at 513-697-9090 to get your quote, let us help you choose a stand-alone Plant Health Care program or bundle it with other valuable services, then sit back and relax knowing that your trees and shrubs are in good hands.
Image Source: Bagworm