Box moth support group

[gingaling]

I've done a thorough spray inside and out of Top Buxus last Saturday, but spotted big caterpillars happily munching away on Tuesday. Been out there just now with the provanto ultimate, but I'm pretty much just using up my second bottle as it seems to do nothing. 😔 I had sprayed with it multiple times since first noticed the munch marks in April. I've seen worse Buxus hedges locally, but I'd say mine is 25 a% eaten now. They started early this year and my hedges are the worst ever.

I think I used Bug clear ultra last year and that sorted it, but couldn't find it in the stores. I've heard there is pesticide resistance already in the Buxus, it's the third year for us 🐛 I'll have to order it online.

I also have a moth trap in action and not caught a single moth, typically so great waste of £35.

Anyone else battling the caterpillars? Oh I will spray again with TopBuxud but it said leave two weeks.

Neighbour had to remove her tree last week (25 year old tree). There were loads of them hanging off it on silk on my side of fence. Seen the odd one still today but hopefully that is the last of them now the tree has gone. They dont eat anyrhing else right?

I’ve got a man coming to take my hedge out but he can’t come until after the bank holiday

Posted pics of mine on here yesterday. Hope to treat over the weekend but fear some may be past recovery.

The moths/caterpillars had a field day along our street this month.

They've munched through at least 4 of our neighbours' box so I think my two smallish bushes don't stand a chance.

Something is having a go at my holly bushes too.

Has anybody found something that works? I have heard the bushes can recover after time.

We have it too. All the neighbours as well. I also think it might be able to recover, as one of our hedges got semi killed off a few years ago (before I was in to gardening so I just left it) and it grew back eventually

Hi,

I have them multiple times each year and xentari works very well. I mix it with the top buxus heath feed and spray 3 times a year when I see the first signs of damage. It has kept them under control for me and my box hedging is in reasonably good health. I buy mine from Amazon. It might work for you too?

I've given up on my box. Caterpillars are too much of a phaff to deal with each year now and so I've decided to bite the bullet. This plant I spent a good few days trying to keep on top of but I then left it a couple of days and think they've won. Gutted but hopefully it'll open up an opportunity for something even better.

I've seen the blighters all round the garden. Once they obliterate one plant they move on to find the next. They're all through my lawn 😩 I'm all for wildlife but I hate the box caterpillar the bastards.

The buxus can bounce back if they don't stripe it bare, but honestly there only a few hedges nearby looking ok and they are still showing some signs of it at the basest I think I must have had loads of eggs on mine from last winter or hibernating caterpillars however they do it.

I mean until a few years ago I trimmed the box once a year and that was it. No problems. Massive job to remove my two hedges and cost to replace. I'm worried whatever I get if I did change it will get some new turbo pest too !

@wistfulthinking yes I'll sprayed that. It says two applications and I have only done one so far but they are alive and kicking still 🐛 I even bought a fancy pump sprayer.

I did hear on the radio today someone vacuumed the buggers off their hedges. It did make me chuckle but I couldn't face emptying the vacuum

Or ever using it again 😂

I don’t think there is anything you can do really other than remove the box and plant something else. I’ve seen box destruction in Kew Gardens, in wisely, other posh well maintained gardens so if they can’t solve it there is no hope for anyone else!
flats near me had lovely box hedge. Within about 18 months destroyed!!

Fantastic 😂

Suck up the bastards

I’ve removed 4 box plants and won’t be replacing them. It’s a losing battle.