Bagworms vs Webworms - What's the Difference?

Published On:

September 22, 2022

Banner Webworms Creating Webs In Tree

Trees can fall prey to numerous threats, including hungry insects. Bagworms and webworms are two of the most common insects that target trees in the Oklahoma City, OK, area. Bagworms often eat the foliage of trees such as eastern red cedars, junipers, and arborvitae, while webworms usually feed on trees like persimmon, pecan, and black hickory.

In this blog, you will learn more about bagworms and webworms, what makes them different from each other, and how to identify their presence on your property. You will also learn what you should do if you spot bagworms or webworms so that you can protect your trees from serious damage.

What are bagworms, and how do they cause damage?

Bagworm infestation on tree in Midwest City, OK.

Bagworms are insects that feed on the foliage of many trees found throughout Oklahoma. These include eastern red cedars, junipers, arborvitae, pines, spruce, and more. Bagworm larvae hatch in the spring and construct small brown bags that dangle from the limbs of tree branches. These bags, which are made of silk and plant matter, provide homes for bagworm larvae to develop until they become full-grown moths in the late summer to early fall. If you spot bagworm bags, then your trees are already under attack from these damage-causing insects. Unless intervention is initiated, bagworms will devour a tree's leaves, weakening the tree severely and potentially causing it to die.

Fully-built bagworm bags are typically 1.5 to 2 inches in length.

What are webworms, and how do they cause damage?

Webworms found in a web in Piedmont, OK.

Webworms are another insect that threaten trees in Oklahoma. Trees at the highest risk of attracting webworms include persimmon, pecan, black walnut, and hickory trees. Webworms feed on tree leaves, which can damage your trees and spin webs among tree limbs. An untrained eye could mistake webworm webs for spider webs; however, webworm webs are typically much thicker than those created by spiders. Webworm larvae get to work on their web upon hatching in the late spring or early summer and grow into adult moths in the late summer to early fall. If you spot webworm webs on your trees, then that means they have found a home on your property.

While webworms can harm your trees, their damage is typically less detrimental to tree health than damage caused by bagworms.

Contact tree health professionals if you spot damage from bagworms or webworms.

Bagworms and webworms are not pests to play around with. If you spot them on trees on your property, then you should contact a team of tree health professionals to assess and treat your trees. It is important to reach out to a tree service provider as soon as possible to mitigate the extent of the damage and prevent long-term consequences. A reputable company will be able to diagnose and prescribe a treatment plan shortly after the initial inspection.

Treatments often involve using high-pressure spray guns to apply safe-but-powerful insecticides to your trees. The foliage of affected trees should be thoroughly coated to ensure all bagworms and webworms are completely eliminated. Thorough saturation ensures that bagworms and webworms are unable to inflict further damage to your trees.

Call today to schedule our bagworm and webworm control treatments!

Don't let bagworms and webworms damage the trees on your property. Instead, if you spot an issue, contact our team at Elite Lawn Care. We have been providing professional bagworm and webworm control treatments in Oklahoma City, OK, and nearby cities such as Edmond and Mustang since 2003. Our top-rated team is licensed by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and uses high-powered spray guns to saturate your trees with safe, effective treatments. Stop bagworms and webworms in their tracks. Call us today at (405) 735-1223 to schedule our bagworm and webworm control services!

While webworms can harm your trees, their damage is typically less detrimental to tree health than damage caused by bagworms.

Call today to schedule our bagworm and webworm control treatments!

Don't let bagworms and webworms damage the trees on your property. Instead, if you spot an issue, contact our team at Elite Lawn Care. We have been providing professional bagworm and webworm control treatments in Oklahoma City, OK, and nearby cities such as Edmond and Mustang since 2003. Our top-rated team is licensed by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and uses high-powered spray guns to saturate your trees with safe, effective treatments. Stop bagworms and webworms in their tracks. Call us today at (405) 735-1223 to schedule our bagworm and webworm control services!