Healthy, beautiful shrubs make eye-catching features on your property, but damaging insects threaten to hinder that. Bagworms and webworms are two of the most common plant insects in Texas and cause extensive harm if left untreated. So, how can you tell the difference between them? There are tell-tale signs that these pests have infested your plants; while bagworms produce cone-shaped bags of silk and debris, webworms create silky webs on the branches and foliage. If you think you're dealing with either of them, you'll want to contact pros immediately so they can administer a curative treatment. This treatment will eradicate them so they can't continue to cause damage to your shrubs.

What are bagworms, and how do they cause damage to your shrubs?

Close up on several bagworms hanging off of a shrub branch by a potential client's home in Kyle, TX.

Bagworms are the larval stages of moths, and as their name implies, they create cone-shaped bags around themselves from silk and plant debris. This bag is about 1/2 to 2 inches long and looks like a pinecone hanging from the branches of your shrubs. These plant insects feed on leaves and needles, causing tiny holes in the foliage or a transparent appearance. However, as they continue to work through your shrubs, they leave severe damage in their wake, eventually making affected areas turn brown. Before long, bagworms can cause complete defoliation and even death of your plants.

What are webworms, and how do these plant insects cause damage?

While webworms are also larvae, or caterpillars, of moths, these plant insects produce silky webs in the affected areas. They feed on the leaves of your shrubs and continue to expand these webs as they do, starting at the tip of the branches before moving their way down. When the infestation is severe, webworms can completely cover your plants in silk and defoliate them. These damages are mainly aesthetic and won't cause long-lasting health issues, but it's still essential to combat them so they don't drag down your property's curb appeal.

Contact Professionals Immediately if Bagworms or Webworms Have Infested Your Shrubs

No one wants to discover bagworms or webworms on their shrubs, but luckily, they leave recognizable signs that allow you to catch an infestation before they cause extensive damage. So, if you think either has infested your plants, you'll want to contact pros immediately. When you do, they'll thoroughly inspect them to locate any problem areas and identify which one you're dealing with. Then, they'll apply highly effective curative treatments to eradicate these pests so they can't cause further damage. Professionals use products proven to work against bagworms and webworms, so you can rest assured that your shrubs are in good hands and will get back on track to good health in no time.

Regularly fertilizing your shrubs throughout the year will ensure they stay healthy and resistant to bagworms, webworms, and other insects in the future.

Call Us to Schedule Our Shrub Insect Control Service & Say Goodbye to Bagworms or Webworms

Have bagworms or webworms infested your precious shrubs? If so, don't worry - our team at Century Lawn and Landscape is here to help! We offer a shrub insect control service, where we'll apply our curative treatments to eliminate the insects damaging your plants. These treatments are available as an add-on to our fertilization service, which includes applications in March, June, and September to ensure they have consistent access to all the nutrients they need to thrive and stay resilient against pests in the future.

Our shrub insect control service is available to residential property owners in Austin, TX, and throughout the surrounding areas, including Bee Cave and Dripping Springs. Call us today at (512) 786-1694 to schedule and say goodbye to bagworms or webworms!