[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Have you ever noticed a tiny, odd-looking “bag” hanging from your wall? You could have a Plaster Bagworm problem. These small insects are white or gray in color, attracted to plaster and moisture, and love to live inside Florida homes.
While these insects can give you the creepy crawlies and ruin wool and silk products, have no fear. Nvirotect Pest Control Services offers Green Certified Pest Control in Tampa that can rid your home of Plaster Bagworms. Read on to learn more.
[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_ =”3133″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_ =”3134″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]The first step in eliminating Plaster Bagworms from your home is properly identifying them. Plaster Bagworms, also known as Phereoeca Uterella are tiny, white, or gray in color, and reside in small cocoons attached to the wall. Depending on what material your ceiling is made out of, they will attach themselves to the ceiling as well.
These insects often look like little pieces of casings, or long oblong-shaped lint stuck on the wall.
Plaster Bagworms start out as small worms that crawl across your floor, spin a casing out of any debris they can find like dirt, dust, and lint, and attach themselves to the wall. When they mature out of their casing, they eventually become adult moths. These adult moths are white, gray, and brown in color, and lay up to 200 eggs.
These eggs then incubate over the winter and hatch into new Plaster Bagworms. If you notice tiny holes in your silk or wool, little cocoons hanging on your wall or ceiling, or tiny worms crawling across your floor, this is a good indication that Plaster Bagworms are inside your home.
Have you ever spotted mysterious tiny green eggs on your walls and wondered what creature left them there? Don’t worry – you’re not alone! At Stone Post Gardens, we frequently get questions about these strange discoveries Let me share what I’ve learned about identifying and dealing with these eggs safely
Common Types of Green Eggs You Might Find
Beneficial Insects
-
Praying Mantis Eggs
- Foam-covered cases containing 100-200 eggs
- Usually found on exterior walls
- Hatch in spring
- Actually good for your garden!
-
Lacewing Eggs
- Laid individually on thin stalks
- Bright green color
- Found on walls near gardens
- Beneficial predators that eat garden pests
-
Ladybug Eggs
- Bright yellow-green clusters
- Usually on plant leaves but sometimes walls
- Great natural pest control
Potentially Problematic Eggs
- Cockroach Egg Cases
- Bean-sized brown/green cases
- Contains 16-40 eggs depending on species
- Often found in wall corners
- Requires immediate action!
Where You’ll Typically Find These Eggs
-
Exterior Walls
- Near gardens
- Around porch lights
- Under eaves
- Near vegetation
-
Interior Walls
- Kitchen areas
- Bathroom walls
- Dark corners
- Near food storage
How to Tell if You Should Be Concerned
Not all green eggs are bad news! Here’s my quick guide:
Probably Harmless If:
- Located outside
- Single eggs or small clusters
- Near garden areas
- Seasonal appearance
Need Action If:
- Found inside home
- Multiple clusters
- Near food areas
- Accompanied by live insects
Safe Removal Methods
For Indoor Eggs:
- Wear gloves
- Use plastic bag method:
- Turn bag inside out over hand
- Pick up egg case
- Pull bag right side out
- Seal tightly
- Dispose outside immediately
- Clean area thoroughly with disinfectant
For Outdoor Eggs:
- Leave beneficial insect eggs (mantis, lacewing)
- Remove others with:
- Garden hose spray
- Scraping tool
- Soap solution
Prevention Tips
I’ve found these methods work best to prevent future egg deposits:
- Seal entry points
- Reduce moisture
- Keep walls clean
- Maintain proper ventilation
- Regular inspection
- Remove debris near walls
When to Call a Professional
In my experience, you should contact pest control if:
- You find multiple egg cases inside
- Can’t identify the species
- DIY removal attempts fail
- See active infestations
While finding tiny green eggs on your walls can be alarming, most outdoor varieties are actually helpful garden allies. However, indoor discoveries, especially cockroach eggs, need prompt attention. Remember – proper identification is key to deciding whether to preserve or remove these mysterious little eggs!
Got questions about eggs on your walls? Drop us a comment below or contact Stone Post Gardens for personalized advice. We’re here to help keep your home pest-free while protecting beneficial insects!
Remember to check back for seasonal updates as different insects lay eggs at various times throughout the year!
FAQ
Q: Are green eggs on exterior walls dangerous?
A: Usually not! Most outdoor eggs are from beneficial insects that help control garden pests.
Q: How quickly should I remove indoor egg cases?
A: Immediately! Indoor egg cases, especially from cockroaches, should be removed within 24 hours to prevent hatching.
Q: What if I accidentally squish the eggs?
A: Clean the area thoroughly with disinfectant and monitor for any hatching activity. Wear gloves during cleanup.
Treating Plaster Bagworms With Green Pest Control in Tampa
There are several crucial ways that you can treat Plaster Bagworms in your home. Nvirotect Pest Control Services is ready to help with the leading Green Certified Pest Control in Tampa.
Our expert Service Technicians inspect for any moisture sources in your home and provide treatment to the wall, floor, and any other impacted areas. This can help not only remove Plaster Bagworms but also keep them away.
We recommend always making sure that your home is cleaned, swept, and vacuumed. This way, Plaster Bagworms will not have anything to feed on or build their cocoons with. As Plaster Bagworms also feed on wool and silk, consider keeping any items made with wool or silk safe in sealed plastic bags.
We also suggest keeping your air conditioner on low, as temperatures above 75 degrees can create moisture in your home and attract Plaster Bagworms. If you have humidity control on your air conditioner, it is best to always have this turned on.
Finally, be sure to turn your lights out at night. If you must use a light throughout the night, consider using one with a yellow shade rather than a bright white one. This will help limit the number of insects that are attracted to the lights in and around your home.
Finding the Source of Plaster Bagworms
Plaster Bagworms are extremely common in Florida, as they are attracted to moisture. They are also attracted to plaster, which is why they attach themselves to walls and ceilings.
Finding the source of Plaster Bagworms in your home begins with finding any potential moisture that could be drawing them in. This source can come in many different forms like steam from the shower, a leaky water heater, or the air conditioning drip pan. The source can also be wet garage walls or rainwater collecting outside.
Additionally, Plaster Bagworms are attracted to light. If you leave your light on in the garage, bathroom, porch, or kitchen overnight, you could unknowingly welcome these insects to invade your space.
Another common source of Plaster Bagworms is dead insects. Plaster Bagworms feed on dead insects, and often use them to build their cocoons. If you have excessive dead insects or debris in your home, this could be contributing to the Plaster Bagworm issue.