How to Get Rid of Bagworms

If you’ve noticed small, pinecone-like sacs clinging to your trees, you might be dealing with bagworms—an insect that can silently strip your landscape of its beauty. In fact, one female bagworm can lay up to 1,000 eggs, making early detection and proper treatment essential for protecting your trees.

Bagworms (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) infestations are reported on everything from junipers to oaks. Left unchecked, they can defoliate trees, weaken their structure, and make them more susceptible to disease and other insects or mites.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to spot a bagworm problem, the right time to take action, and how a tree service like SavATree can help keep your trees thriving.

What Are Bagworms and Why Are They a Problem?

Bagworms are the larvae of a moth species that protect themselves by building small, spindle-shaped bags from silk and bits of the

plant material they consume. These insects are well-camouflaged and often go unnoticed until they’ve caused significant damage.

Why are bagworms a concern for trees?

They defoliate trees – Bagworms feed on the leaves and needles of both deciduous and evergreen trees.
They weaken host plants – Over time, repeated feeding can stress trees and make them more vulnerable to other pests and diseases.
They multiply quickly – Female bagworms don’t leave their bags; they remain hidden while laying hundreds of eggs to overwinter.

Commonly affected species include cedars, junipers, oaks, and various ornamental trees and shrubs. Although technically moth larvae, they’re often referred to as tree worms—a term that reflects both their appearance and the widespread impact they have on trees and shrubs throughout the region.

Understanding the Bagworm Life Cycle

Knowing the life cycle of bagworms, which spans nearly a full year, helps manage the issue effectively.

Spring to Early Summer (Egg Hatch and Feeding):

Eggs hatch in late spring, releasing hundreds of larvae.
The young caterpillars begin feeding immediately, creating silk bags that grow with them.
This is the most vulnerable stage—and the best time for treatment.

Summer to Early Fall (Maturation):

Larvae continue to feed, expand their bags, and prepare to pupate.
Feeding slows as they mature, making them less responsive to treatment.

Fall to Winter (Pupation and Reproduction):

Males emerge as winged moths and mate with females, which remain in their bags.
Females lay eggs inside the bags, where they overwinter until the following spring.

Understanding when bagworms hatch, feed, and reproduce is key to choosing the most effective method of control. The bagworm moth becomes especially active in late spring, making this the most important time of year to begin monitoring for early signs of damage.

How to Get Rid of Bagworms

If you suspect a bagworm infestation, here are the most effective steps you can take:

1. Physically Remove Bags (Winter–Early Spring)

Before the eggs hatch, you can often manage smaller infestations by removing the bags by hand.

Inspect your trees in late winter or early spring, before new larvae emerge.
Remove visible bags from infested trees—this reduces the number of pests come spring.
Always contain and dispose of bags off-site to avoid re-infestation.

This is most practical for accessible, smaller trees and shrubs.

2. Apply Targeted Treatments

When physical removal isn’t enough, professional intervention may be necessary. At SavATree, we:

Apply targeted treatments at controlled intervals during the most vulnerable stages of insect development to ensure effective, lasting control.
Use carefully selected products that are tough on harmful insects but considerate of beneficial insects, helping maintain ecological balance.
Ensure complete canopy coverage, including the undersides of leaves, to reach the areas where insects are most active.

Our certified arborists follow proven, research-backed protocols to protect your trees and promote long-term landscape health.

3. Support Natural Predators

Encouraging biodiversity in your landscape supports beneficial insects and other natural predators, such as birds, that help keep bagworm populations in check.

Plant native plants that attract these predators.
Limit broad-spectrum pesticides that might harm helpful species.

4. Prune and Maintain Overall Tree Health

Healthy trees are more resilient to pest pressure. Timely tree pruning can help remove infested limbs and improve airflow.

Prune affected areas during the dormant season.
Maintain regular tree care to keep trees vigorous and less susceptible to long-term damage.

How to Prevent Future Bagworm Infestations

Stopping a bagworm problem before it starts is the best outcome. Here’s how to minimize the risk of future issues:

Inspect your trees regularly, especially in late winter and early spring.
Remove overwintering bags before eggs hatch.
Apply preventive treatments if you’ve had problems in the past.
Keep your landscape healthy with consistent watering, mulching, and pruning.

If you live in an area where bagworms are a recurring issue—such as the Dallas–Fort Worth region—it’s worth scheduling a consultation with a tree service in Dallas or tree service in Fort Worth.

What to Avoid When Treating Bagworms

To give your trees the best chance, steer clear of these common missteps:

Waiting too long to act – Delaying action often gives insects more time to cause damage, which can be harder to reverse later on.
Treating too late – Once larvae mature and settle into their protective bags, treatments become far less effective.
Assuming the problem is isolated – Bagworm activity can spread quickly between nearby host trees, so it’s worth checking the surrounding landscape, too.
Overusing chemicals – Not every insect requires chemical intervention—a thoughtful evaluation by a SavATree ISA Certified Arborist can help determine what’s truly needed.

Supporting Tree Health Beyond Bagworm Treatment

Proper tree care is the foundation of pest prevention. When your trees are already stressed—whether by drought, poor soil conditions, or improper planting—they’re less able to recover from bagworm infestations.

Consider the following:

Routine inspections by an arborist can catch early signs of insects or disease.
Tree disease treatment is most effective when a fungal pathogen is the only cause of the tree’s decline.
Selecting the right tree species for your site can reduce future pest issues.

Managing Bagworms

Bagworms are a persistent problem across the United States, but they can be managed with timely intervention and the right approach. Whether it’s through winter bag removal, spring treatments, or long-term prevention, understanding the life cycle and impact of this pest helps protect your landscape year-round.

Bagworms can cause serious damage if left unchecked — but you don’t have to face it alone. Contact SavATree today and we’ll have one of our ISA Certified Arborists assess your property and provide personalized recommendations to protect your trees and maintain the health and beauty of your landscape.