Summary: Some pests lay eggs in the fall so that the protected offspring will overwinter in their shells. This blog explains the basic life cycles of 6 common pests that produce eggs in the fall. The featured pests are: cutworms, slugs, Eastern tent caterpillars, cabbage loopers, silverfish, and spiders. Each pest’s section discusses its egg-laying process and basic features. Romney Pest Control provides thorough services for all life stages of common Texas pests.
When we think of egg-laying critters, we think of springtime. This is when life begins again after winter, as the flowers bloom and the animals bring new life into the world. But fall sees its fair share of eggs, too. Since many pests lay dormant or hibernate for the winter, they won’t have the energy to lay eggs in the freezing months. That’s why they get a head-start in the fall.
Pest eggs are tough orbs that are nearly invincible to pesticides and typical pest treatments. When placed in a sheltered area — or buried in soil — the eggs easily survive the winter in order to hatch in the spring warmth. Some pest eggs are more worrisome than others, so let’s learn about the 6 pest eggs that cause us problems as soon as they hatch.
Cutworms
These pests are actually the larval stage of miller moths, but the cutworm’s reputation as an infamous garden pest grants it a spot on this list. The pest lays its eggs in late summer and fall, then overwinters as either pupae or adults. Each cluster has up to 100 eggs that are placed near or on plants within the soil. Certain moth species can lay rows of hundreds of eggs that will eventually destroy that garden!
Cutworms are nocturnal (like moths), so their damage usually isn’t found until the next morning. They emerge from the topsoil to eat seedlings and young plants by cutting through the stems at the ground level. The plants topple over and are unable to recover, so you don’t want cutworms anywhere near your garden. Since cutworms start feeding in early spring, it’s a good idea to check the soil around your plants for any round eggs that need to be removed.
Slugs
Slimy slugs are active in spring and fall, so we’re officially in the pest’s second favorite time of year. This is when they start laying dozens of eggs in clutches, or small clusters. Slugs are unique in that they can survive winter out of the egg since they live in the soil at all times. These nocturnal pests feed on their designated plant at night, then hide in the topsoil during the day.
Slugs are a notorious garden pest since their tongues (radulas) have thousands of tiny teeth that shred through most plants. Their favorites are flowers and salad greens, but slugs will eat anything besides strong herbs and plants. Luscious gardens and thick greenery might see more slugs since the pests have more hiding spots to choose from in between feedings. They continue shredding plants throughout the fall, so keep an eye out for any damp slugs hiding in the soil.
Eastern Tent Caterpillars
Similar to cutworms, eastern tent caterpillars are the troublemaking stage of their life cycles. They grow into eastern tent moths, but the first life stage of this insect is an egg that’s laid in the last warm days of dal. Adult moths build a small nest in the branch crevices of a tree, and the spiderweb-like nest holds their egg mass. The mass has anywhere from 150 to 400 eggs, which are covered in a natural varnish before the whole deal is wrapped up against the branches.
The eastern tent caterpillar prefers fruit trees — apple, cherry, etc. — in order to give their larvae reliable food sources. The eggs can stay contained throughout the colder weather, then hatch in March or April. Eastern tent caterpillars are small enough that their leaf-based diet doesn’t truly damage strong trees, and the leaves will grow back. They leave their home to pupate, so you might see a fuzzy caterpillar or two crawling around. Be warned: they stain the concrete when they’re squished!
Cabbage Loopers
Don’t be fooled by this pest’s name; they eat way more than just cabbage leaves! The cabbage looper is another pest that’s most destructive in its larval stage because it needs to plump up before it spins its cocoon. The larvae are green or cream-colored, and they don’t stray far from their home leaves. They overwinter in their cocoons, then emerge in early spring. They lay their eggs on top of and underneath leaves in the following warm days.
The hundreds of eggs in each batch take less than two weeks to hatch, so cabbage loopers start ruining our gardens early in the year. These pests are easy to control since they don’t have wings, but it’s tough to catch them before they cause irreversible damage to the plants. Cabbage loopers chew holes in all kinds of leaves, causing the stunted growth of leaves and halting the production of fruit or flowers throughout the season. If you find any silk cocoons, remove them before they can ruin your garden next spring.
Silverfish
These shimmery pests prefer to stay in damp, dark spaces that are isolated from other animals. While they can lay eggs at any time, early spring is the most popular time of year for silverfish to reproduce. Warm temperatures speed up their life cycle and cause their eggs to hatch sooner. Silverfish either lay 1 to 2 eggs per day or 2 to 20 eggs in one cluster. Either way, the eggs become hard and yellow until they hatch a few weeks later. The nymphs, looking like small versions of the adults, scatter to find a new shelter.
Silverfish eat items that are heavy in starch and cellulose, so they aren’t like the garden pests we previously discussed. But silverfish are still destructive, as they chew holes through cardboard, paper, house insulation, and book covers. These pests (thankfully) don’t travel in large groups, but they still cause plenty of destruction with their insatiable diets. This fall, check the darker corners of your home for any silvery pests hiding in the shadows.
Spiders
Spiders are the outliers on our list since they don’t have a destructive diet. Some people actually prefer to leave spiders alone since the arachnids eat the other, more destructive pests. But the idea of a spider family living in your home isn’t great! Spiders lay eggs in every season since they prefer to stay in dry, warm shelters. The eggs mostly hatch in warm weather, so many of their eggs will overwinter until then — unless they’re in a warm and cozy house.
Most spider species lay around 200 eggs at a time, and encase them in a silken egg sac. The female spider prefers to keep her egg sac in her dark habitat in order to protect her offspring. When the eggs hatch, the young spiders go towards the light (literally, not figuratively) to find food. Some species balloon, which means they produce a tiny web that catches the wind and carries the spider away to a new habitat. Healthy spiders can produce at least 15 egg sacs in their lifetimes. Our suggestion? If you see a spider, squish it!
The Circle Of A Pest’s Life Includes Romney
Insect eggs are tough to treat, especially if you’re going the DIY route. Most are immune to typical pesticides since the shells or casings are so strong. When you need thorough pest control that eliminates all pests in an infestation, Romney Pest Control is here to help! Our licensed technicians complete a full inspection at the start of each service. If we find a good amount of insect eggs are set to hatch, we will plan to make a return visit to eliminate the hatchlings and end your pest problems.
As pests search for their winter shelters, pest control is still an essential service. Contact us for a free quote on our thorough pest control services and say goodbye to your pest worries!
Citations
Bessin, R. (2019, November). Eastern tent caterpillar. Entomology at the University of Kentucky. Available at https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef423 (Accessed on October 21, 2024).
Cutworms. (n.d.). University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Cropwatch. Retrieved October 21, 2024, from https://cropwatch.unl.edu/potato/cutworms
Pokorny, K. & Groth, C. (2022, October 28). Control slugs now as they lay eggs to hatch in spring. Oregon State University – Newsroom. Available at https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/control-slugs-now-they-lay-eggs-hatch-spring-0 (Accessed on October 21, 2024).
Long, J.K. (Jr.). (n.d.). Twenty-five pests you don’t want in your garden. PA IPM Program. Available at https://www.urbanharvest.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/25-Pests-You-Dont-Want.pdf (Accessed on October 21, 2024).
