How to Get Rid of Bagworms

Bagworms are moths that feed on shrubs and trees during their larval stage. They love deciduous trees, coniferous trees, fruit trees and perennial flowers; however, they are only deadly to coniferous trees that don't lose their foliage. The main methods for getting rid of bagworms are by hand and with insecticide during specific stages of their development.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Observing Bagworms

Download Article

1
Begin looking for bagworms during the winter or early spring. Bagworm egg sacks are brown and one and a half to two inches (3.8 to 5 cm) long. They are covered with dead needles, so they appear more noticeable in contrast to the green deciduous needles at this time.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Bagworm sacks can be very hard to find because they look like pine cones. Look through your pinecones to find variations that may be bagworms.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Elmer Bensinger
  Pest Control Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}
Don't put the debris in the compost, where the larvae can live.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Elmer Bensinger
Pest Control Specialist

Expert Interview} Place them in sealed plastic bags in your trashcan.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
If your tree has begun to turn brown, the bagworms might have killed it already. You will want to try a last effort to rid your entire garden of the worms, so that they don't spread to other trees.
Their silks are transported by the wind. Anywhere the wind blows in your yard is a potential new spot for the moths and a great place to look.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Killing Bagworm Eggs

Download Article

Mix it well.
Clippers will remove all traces of the bagworm threads, so that it's harder for new bagworms to find their way into the tree.
Make sure they are submerged fully.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source

Missouri Botanical Garden
Oldest botanical garden in the U.S. and center for botanical research and science education

Go to source}
You will reduce the amount of pesticide you need to use if you do a thorough job of handpicking the egg sacks.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Killing Hatched Bagworms

Download Article

This is when they hatch and are at their most vulnerable. In some areas they hatch in early June.^{[6]
X
Research source}
However, they often get spooked back into their sack if they are startled.^{[7]
X
Research source}
3
Purchase an insecticide such as Dipel or Thuricide. They contain bacillus thuringiensis, a bacteria that is deadly to young bagworms. If you have many trees affected by bagworms, it can be expensive to thoroughly kill the bagworms with insecticide.
- Orthene, Talstar and Tempo are other insecticides that have been effective in killing newly-hatched bagworms.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
4
Put the insecticide in a sprayer. Thoroughly wet the leaves and needles of the trees that can be affected. Beware when spraying insecticide around pets and small children.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Consider cordoning off the area just after you spray.
5
Spray insecticide in late May, June and early July. This is when it can kill young larvae. Stop by late July and August when the bagworms are resilient and the insecticide no longer works.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Once September and early October begin, the adult bagworms begin fertilizing their eggs. You should begin the process of handpicking the egg sacks at this time.
- Adult male bagworms are moths with black wings and brown spots. They die after fertilization. Female bagworms remain inside the sack in their larval state.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Do they die during the winter?

Community Answer

They lay down hundreds of eggs in their bags before they die in winter. These eggs start hatching in summer.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 28
Question

Will they kill a tree?

Community Answer

Yes. I lost a few of my trees because of them. They eat the leaves/needles until there is nothing left.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 43
Question

If I have picked of 80 bags of works from an evergreen bush, will that help get rid of them if there are still more?

Community Answer

It definitely will slow the process.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 64