Buxus

Oh dear !
I suspect I know what this is likely to be.
Can it be defeated or should I just admit defeat and hoik it out now?..

 

We’ve got them this year as well. I suspect we had them last year as I found some limited damage when I trimmed the box in June and we saw a Box Moth late summer. We’ve definitely got them this year and I have picked some off. I’ve also seen the Great Tits taking some so hoping the birds will help provide some natural control.

My plan is to get the trimming done and then have a thorough rummage and pick off as many as I can. If it’s like last year the damaged areas soon regrew, so fingers crossed. We have a box knot, several box balls and a box hedge (the latter is about 1.2m tall and 1m wide) so would hate to loose them.

 

My box has got them again this year, the first generation seems to have gone now and the box is starting to regrow, but I read you can get three generations a year.
I did see the sparrows showing some interest in the caterpillars a few weeks ago, so who knows, the birds could eventually develop a taste for them and become the control we need.

 

Our remaining box hedge was alive with sparrows a few weeks ago and it was very entertaining watching their antics.
However, their activity has petered out, and although I still see one or two ferreting around, there are still caterpillars in the hedge.
From personal experience, it doesn't matter how thorough you try to be when it comes to removing the caterpillars, they have hiding down to a fine art.

 

I've thought about giving my box hedging a good blast from the hose pipe to dislodge the little
they might get fed up and clear off if they get disturbed often enough

 

Oh dear, 3 generations

 

1st time for me.
Was just about to give it a cut.
The cobwebs and what I presume is caterpillar frass is extensive throughout the bush, as is the damage.
I may give it a trim and see how it goes, but don’t hold out much hope…

 

I think the caterpillars that were on mine have probably gone onto phase two, ie. chrysalis or what ever they are called, as the damage has stopped and new growth is showing.

 

I have a low hedge at end of a path, only about a metre long, that I put in last year. I saw the first cobweb on Saturday & a caterpillar this morning. I ordered the treatment & luckily it arrived late today. Fingers crossed it works & the rain stays off for the rest of the evening.

 

Also if anyone knows, I noticed these on one of the plants. Are they something else?

 

If you mean the small round green things, I'd say they're what's referred to as "frass" aka caterpillar poo.

 

Yes the green things, sorry I wasn’t very clear. Thank you, I’ll see how the treatment goes and if it doesn’t work I’ll dig them up. I was aware when I planted them this may happen so I will replace with pachysandra terminalis to edge the path if it doesn’t.

Thanks for your help