Bagworms: Don't Wait Until Your Evergreen Is Brown

If your evergreen tree suddenly looks thin, brown, or unhealthy in the middle of summer, bagworms could be the culprit.

Every year, Omaha-area homeowners call us wondering why their arborvitae, junipers, and spruce trees are turning brown. In many cases, the answer is bagworms. The problem? By the time many people notice them, significant damage has already been done.

What Are Bagworms?

Bagworms are caterpillars that build protective bags around themselves using pieces of needles and foliage from the tree they're feeding on. The bags often look like small pinecones or ornaments hanging from branches.

Because they blend in so well, many homeowners don't realize they have a bagworm infestation until entire sections of a tree begin turning brown.

What Trees Do Bagworms Attack?

In the Omaha metro area, bagworms commonly attack:

• Arborvitae

• Juniper

• Spruce

• Cedar

• Pine

Arborvitae are especially vulnerable and can suffer severe damage from even moderate infestations.

What Does Bagworm Damage Look Like?

Common symptoms include:

• Brown branches

• Thinning foliage

• Dead spots throughout the tree

• Entire sections of evergreens dying back

Unlike deciduous trees, evergreens often cannot replace damaged foliage once it dies.

That's why early treatment is critical.

Why July Is So Important

Bagworms become easier to spot as summer progresses. During July, they're actively feeding and growing larger each day. The longer they feed, the more damage they cause. Waiting until August or September can result in permanent injury to the tree.

Can I Remove Bagworms By Hand?

For small infestations, hand-picking can help. However, larger infestations often require professional treatment to effectively control the population and protect the tree.

Protecting Your Evergreens

Healthy evergreens add privacy, beauty, and value to your property. Protecting them from bagworms is far less expensive than replacing mature trees and shrubs. If you're noticing brown patches or unusual bags hanging from your evergreens, now is the time to act.

Schedule a Tree Health Consultation

American Arborist helps homeowners identify and treat bagworm infestations throughout Omaha, Elkhorn, Bennington, Waterloo, Valley, Gretna, Papillion, La Vista, Ralston, Bellevue, Council Bluffs, Carter Lake, and surrounding communities.

Think you may have bagworms? Contact us today for a free consultation.