Garden Infestation - who is responsible?

harrynice

Hi all,

Please forgive me if this is the wrong forum, but I really wasn't sure which one to put it in!

Not sure if any of you have heard about the current 'plague' of box-tree caterpillars in the UK at the moment:

We noticed a few caterpillars at the end of last week (we had no idea what they were), and in the short time since then we noticed heavy damage to the box hedges in the front and rear gardens of our rented property. I am honestly stunned by how much damage has been caused in such a short time.

I wanted to find out who would be responsible for dealing with this, as they don't fit in the usual vermin categories. Dealing with them can apparently be quite costly, and could even mean that all of the hedges will need to be removed and destroyed.

Is anyone able to provide any guidance please?

theartfullodger

Mrs May......

jonnygee2

I don't think you could be blamed for the damage, although if I were you I would probably neglect to mention seeing the caterpillars a few weeks ago when I reported it to the landlord. Seems like something insurance might cover, if anything.

Report it, in writing, to the landlord ASAP. I think, as it's damaging the property, the landlord will most likely sort it out pretty quickly.

Mojisola

jonnygee2 wrote: »

Seems like something insurance might cover, if anything.

I can't see insurance covering the loss of plants.

harrynice

We noticed them a few days ago - not weeks.

We have only really had a chance to see the damage today (we had a baby 2 weeks ago), at which point I contacted our tenancy agent.

diggingdude

I blame the Germans

societys_child

Brexit . .

babyblade41

Really.. ?? My faith in human nature is well and truly lost !!

nyermen

From a reliable source (the missus is a plant pathologist)...

Since it's not a quarantined pest (any more), so it's up to you (aka the landlord) to deal with it if they wish. She says that in her opinion, most treatments aren't very effective. Within the M25, it's known / expected that boxes aren't going to be around much longer. Since you've seen the caterpillar, you won't be confusing it with box blight (a common mistake since there can be dieback in both cases).
FYI, more info on the RHS website here (and even they are struggling with treating it at RHS wisley)
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=760

Peter.

adonis

I haven't seen any box caterpillars on my box plants,
but box blight is taking a heavy toll on them and I am having to gradually remove them to avoid it spreading to all the others.:(

harrynice

nyermen wrote: »

From a reliable source (the missus is a plant pathologist)...

Since it's not a quarantined pest (any more), so it's up to you (aka the landlord) to deal with it if they wish. She says that in her opinion, most treatments aren't very effective. Within the M25, it's known / expected that boxes aren't going to be around much longer. Since you've seen the caterpillar, you won't be confusing it with box blight (a common mistake since there can be dieback in both cases).
FYI, more info on the RHS website here (and even they are struggling with treating it at RHS wisley)
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=760

Peter.

Thank you for actually providing some helpful information!