Small, cone-shaped bags hanging on your arborvitae or juniper hedge this week are bagworms, and early July is when they finally become visible after feeding all spring inside those little cases built from the plant's own foliage.
Arborvitae hedges are everywhere in South Jersey landscaping, used constantly as privacy screens between properties, and bagworms can do serious damage to them fast. Unlike a deciduous tree that grows back leaves, an evergreen that loses a section to bagworms often stays bare in that spot for good.
The bags themselves blend in so well that a lot of homeowners don't notice until whole sections of the hedge have turned brown. Catching it in the first couple weeks of activity makes a real difference in how much of the hedge survives.
Have you checked your arborvitae or privacy hedge for any small hanging bags lately?
#TreeHealth
Close-up photo of bagworm cases on arborvitae or juniper foliage, ideally from an actual Gloucester County property. Real damage documentation is more credible than generic pest photography.
Canva text suggestion: "Bagworms Are Active Right Now" or "Check Your Hedge This Week"