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Blue Spruce Bagworms and Pink Tips: Bt for Bagworms, Miticide for Mites

35 blue spruces/Fraser firs (~20 ft) have bagworms. Quote $900/spray x2. Also blue spruce tips turning pink. Owner wants safe DIY options (dogs, grandkids, nurse with chemo experience).

Bagworm Control (DIY)

Hand-pick bags fall through spring (best).
Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray June 15-July 15 on young larvae only.
Spinosad (contact + ingestion) effective.
Cyfluthrin for larger bags.
All safe when dry. Concentrations low.

Pink Tips = Spruce Spider Mites

Bt does NOT kill mites.
Need miticide: check label for "miticide" not "mite suppression."
Options: dicofol (Kelthane), acephate, dimethoate, malathion (weak).
Horticultural oil (dormant season) also works.

Safety

All pesticides safe once dry. Nurse background = handle with standard PPE.

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