Anyone managed to defeat box caterpillar?

[EveHen]

Hi, today I found box caterpillar in our little hedge (3m long). I spent an hour removing the b*ggers. Is there any chance that with persistent removing and using one of those traps that we will be able to control them, or this a battle I am not going to win?

Oh no - have a look on the RHS website, there should be some good info on there.

I got rid of all my box (didn't like it anyway) and put in miniature holly instead.

They stripped all mine last year while my back was turned and even had a go at the herringbone cotoneaster which definitely had something eating it

RHS gives a few tips - doesn't look hopeful though!

Ours was stripped in what seemed like moments. Totally unbelievable how quickly it went. Had never encountered them before but they certainly made their mark!

Is miniature holly Ilex crenata?

Yes KTD, they seem ravenous! I think we have caught them quite early, but loads of damage on the plants they are on. We spent 2 hours picking them off

Lonicera nitida makes a good fasting growing replacement for box hedging

I get it every year and they’ll trash a few patches. I have yards and yards of box so can’t face replacing it. A couple of sprays of provado each year does the trick

Another one here picking off caterpillars. You have to keep going back every few days to check there are no stragglers. I'm thinking of getting this: topbuxus.com/gb/boxwood-caterpillar/25-topbuxus-xentari-stopt-en-voorkomt-rupsen-vraat-in-buxus-tgv-de-buxusrups-buxusmot-8719324799980.html
It's organic, uses Bacillus thuringiensis

yes, Ilex crenata

I'm in NW London and it's everywhere, everyone with box in front garden when I walk around is having it decimated so I don't see much point in picking them off ours.

We looked into it when they started and the advice then was, replacing with something they don't eat is all you can do.

Keep thinking about all the posh formal gardens that are super old all made out of box and wondering what the stately homes etc are going to do about it.