Some people may say that we have had too much rain this spring. But it is a lot better than what we were experiencing this time last year. The frequent rains we have been receiving may be causing problems for our farmers, but they have really been a blessing for our lawns, flowers, and gardens. Almost everyone has a beautiful lawn with many pretty flowers. Although our vegetables may be a little late this year, there seems to be an abundance of everything.

Although everything looks great right now, this may be a good time for me to warn you about some problems that may be coming. Many homeowners will be experiencing problems with bagworms within the next several weeks, so now is the time to start thinking about ways to prevent these aggravating little pests from destroying your beautiful plants.

Leland cypress, cedars, and junipers have become popular plants in local landscapes because of their beautiful shapes, they require very little pruning, and they usually require very little maintenance. But these plants are the favorite host of bagworms.

My staff and I usually receive many calls from homeowners asking about those funny shaped little bags hanging in their trees and shrubs and what they can do about them. As we travel around the county, we notice many landscapes with terrible bagworm problems, and we know it is only a matter of time before the bagworm damage becomes so severe that some of the plants in the landscape will die.

Bagworms are now large enough to notice, but they are still small enough that they have not eaten much. That is, they have not eaten very much yet. But give them time and they will do considerable damage to some plants.

Newly-hatched caterpillars spin down from bags on silken threads and are blown about by the wind. Upon reaching a suitable host, the tiny caterpillar begins to spin its bag, and as it grows, it incorporates some of the host plant foliage into the bag for camouflage. Once a bagworm population takes hold, it can sweep through the plants quickly.

Treating bagworms with insecticide while they are small is the most effective time for control. Although there are many insecticides that are very effective on bagworms, both Sevin and malathion work extremely well. Many homeowners already use these products for other insect problems, so they already have them on hand. Spraying cypress, juniper, or cedar trees using hose-end sprayers is very easy and is also very effective.

If the plants are rather small and the bagworm problem is not severe, bagworms can be controlled very well by hand-picking the little bags from the plant. Simply use scissors or pruning shears to remove the bags from the plant, place them in a plastic grocery bag, tie the bag up, and discard in the garbage can.

If you have access to the Internet, you can learn more about bagworms from Ornamentals and Turf Insect Information Note No. 81 at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/trees/ort081e/ort081e.htm

Bagworms are still small enough so they are eating small bites of your plants, but this situation will be different next month.

Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services does not imply endorsement by North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, or North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact an agent of North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 7/15/03