They are gray with up to four spots on the fore wings, and a brush of long, lighter gray hair-like scales along the posterior margin of the hind wings. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. After mating the female lays 500 to 1000 eggs within her bag and then she dies. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). Without any food to survive, plaster bagworms have no choice but to vacate your home and look elsewhere for food. Food habits of Tineola uterella. 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. BC Pest Control is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Even though mating, hatching, and lifecycle times vary depending on the environment, all the bagworm species in YOUR environment should have nearly the same event times during their lifecycle. Aiello (1979) believes the plates protect the larva from natural enemies when it reaches out of its case for locomotion. 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. Life history and behavior of the case-bearer. The differences are minimal and dont really matter for clearing the infestation anyway. There are two pairs of buccal appendages called palps. To address the wool problem, keep all of your items in sealed plastic bags. So, you need to get rid of plaster bagworms in your house. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. If you have a particularly challenging plaster bagworm problem and want some advice, send us a message. A braconid wasp, Apanteles carpatus (Say), parasitizes larvae of case-bearing moths, killing the larva before pupation. Leaving them in there allows them to escape. By the end of this article, you should have everything you need to know to manage, control, and eliminate these pests. CRC Press. They can show up in huge numbers rapidly if you dont start a pest management program. The inside of the arch is lined exclusively by silk, and is gradually extended to form a tunnel, while the larva stays inside. One end of the case is then modified. Youll rarely find them in your wardrobe or closet anyway, as theyre not known to be, They have a suitable environment to sustain themselves (humid, hot, and sheltered), They have plenty of food available to eat (webs, dust, fabrics, etc. The caterpillar larvae are the larvae phase of their lifecycle. Control of three household insects. The females lay more than 200 eggs in a small, protective casing. Plus, its a lot safer compared to chemical compounds which often leave behind nasty and dangerous residues. Remember that even the smallest web strand provides a complete meal for these pests, so dont skimp on the cleaning. 1003 pp. For example,Phereoeca allutella(Rebel) has been recorded in Hawaii, Panama, Canary Islands, Madeira, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India, Java and Samoa. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. Theres no single foolproof technique. Egg: After mating, females lay their eggs on crevices and the junction of walls and floors, cementing them on debris. Learn more. Also, unsuspecting guests wont even know the real reason for those plants and will never even hint that you have a bagworm infestation in your home! Bagworms move about freely to feed, and they carry their bags with them. Pour some into a spray bottle or garden sprayer and then prime it up. The adult plaster bagworm moths look like your typical moth. It also attacks certain deciduous trees such as black locust, honeylocust, and sycamore. Namely, vespid wasps, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and other predatory flying insects will eat them up without hesitation. How to get rid of Bagworms | Bagworm Control Guide - DoMyOwn.com When youre out of ideas, consult a professional (licensed) pest control company. Plaster worms thrive when the humidity is high. This is true during the period of their lifecycle when they pupate in the larvae case. After a while, the species in the peninsula was recognized as T. walsinghami. By late summer . The larvae are moved to nearby trees and shrubs with the help of wind. Both ends of the case are identical, and are used by the larva to hide. For instance, this video combines the two terms and uses them synonymously: Note that bagworms are moths in the family Psychidae, while household casebearers are moths in the Tineidae family. The same year Kea wrote about the food habits of the species present in Florida, using the name given by Walsingham (T. uterella). The casebearer (AKA casemaking clothes moth) also will make a bag for the larvae which can be found throughout the home. Its oval and features a somewhat flat profile, which is perfect for blending into walls. No method is as simple, free, and convenient as removing them by hand. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. They are easiest to identify by the bags they construct as they feed. The soap adds a high surface tension to the water, which makes it very difficult for them to escape once they land in it. The only thing Id be wary about is to study the pesticides they use and check out the MSDS on them. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. Finally, an early synonym established by Meyrick was recognized as the most appropriate name, and the species was named Phereoeca dubitatrix (Meyrick 1932). It probably wont move anywhere, but may nudge or flinch. Regardless, theyre not something most homeowners will welcome with an embracing hug into their homes, so take measures to get rid of them. Youll want to start your treatment plan to control them by doing a thorough cleaning of infested areas where you see them. Theyll be actively feeding on various debris around the home and you can capture and kill most of them when you spray during this time. Everything I mentioned is listed above in this guide. Bagworms will eat wool, but they dont eat other materials used in clothing like nylon, cotton, spandex, and polyester. As mentioned earlier, these bugs don't eat cotton or nylon. So then I created this site to share everything Ive learned over the years (and continuing to learn)- natural solutions that are proven to work against the bug thats bugging you! One end of the case is then modified. Clean up water spillages from using the sink, shower, etc. And if you have any questions, just leave a comment and Ill get back to you. However, thats an ineffective way to get rid of plaster bagworms because it doesnt address the problem at hand! Be careful not to scrub too hard as some paint finishes are sensitive to soap. These are the protective bags of bagworms, also commonly confused with casebearers. However, the name household casebearer is now accepted under Phereoeca uterella, rather than the plaster bagworm. 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. Eggs take about 1-2 weeks to hatch but vary depending on environmental conditions, species, and temperature. 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. Turn off the porch and security lights (especially at night) to ensure that the moths stay away. Remember each bagworm you kill means a lower chance of them mating and producing more. If spiders have nothing to eat, then they wont spin a web. While they might be small, a large population can wreak havoc on all of your prized garments. Plus, you dont have to deal with the bug guts if you squish one yourself. Theres no need to use it during the daytime because moths are nocturnal (active at night). Thats just a waste of time, and probably impossible. They start appearing in spring and the population increases over time until august and September. Bagworm Life Cycle: Interesting Facts On Moths For Kids Revealed The dish soap easily removes the moth eggs stuck on your wall, but for stubborn eggs, you may have to use a peeler. Check the. The dark colored bagworm caterpillars are 1/8 to one inch long when they first hatch. Appear and theyre a phobia now. Thats it. Manual removal takes time, but this is one way to clear out a room full of bags. This explains why theyre commonly found in environments with already high moisture content such as Florida and other coastal states. The case is constructed by the earliest larval stage (1st instar) before it hatches, and is enlarged by each successive instar. 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. What is the life cycle of a plaster Bagworm? The larvae then build the bags you commonly see hanging on your ceiling. This may help bring down their numbers and keep them out of your home. The cases are constructed by the larval (caterpillar) stage and often attract attention when found in homes. Insect Management Guide for Bagworms and Clothes Moths (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG090). Some bagworm species are parthenogenetic, meaning their eggs develop without male fertilization. So if you have wool clothing or furniture, you should be careful. The bagworm has two separate phases of its life cycle that calls for distinct appearances. CRC Press. The bagworm is most common in southern regions of Pennsylvania. If you see a lot of worms caught, thats a sign that you have plenty of bags around and you should add other methods to get rid of them. Watson JR. 1946. You only want to pass the sponge edges over the eggs and push them off- dont CRUSH them. Anything below 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit should be more than enough to deter plaster bagworms from coming in. 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 larva cuts a short slit along both edges to make that end flatter, which acts as a valve. Each molt results in a larger case. Then theyll pupate and emerge as an adult moth just to continue the cycle. New York. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, requires high humidity to complete its development, a limiting factor for its dispersion throughout the rest of the country. They may also have been smuggled into your house from newly purchased products, such as plants, carpet, furniture, and more. Quick Tip: Youre most likely to encounter plaster bagworms if you live in the Southeastern United States. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). The adults mate around the same time, which means the larvae eggs are deposited simultaneously. 1979. The complete life cycle of plaster bagworms contains 6-7 instars and takes about 40-50 days to complete. But follow the manufacturers directions. 156, new series. For spiderwebs, clean your house regularly. Dont overdo it- just as long as the mixture is even should be good enough. The Entomologist 89: 42-47. Read some reviews. And then utilize these plants to keep the bagworms away: Whatever zone you live in, you should be able to find a few plants. 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. Adult male household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. You can make your home more favorable for birds by providing birdbaths, using bird feeders, and placing birdhouses around the area. Photograph by Juan A. Villanueva-Jimnez, University of Florida. Climb up there safely, and start picking them off your ceiling. Are you seeing their bag (cases) dangling from your garage ceiling? 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.