Box (Buxom) Moth

mummystudent

I've had a search but I can't see the answer. 

Does anyone have experience of these horrible little things? I've bought lures and a trap, got the nemotodes, but I don't know whether the infected plants are too far gone to treat, should I dig them out, trim them back, if I shape those not infected will it make them susceptible to becoming infected? 

There are two plants I can keep alive - box and hostas - I'm rather attached to the little things. 

Keep_pedalling

Frankly you are fighting a loosing battle, I would rip them out and plant something else. Yet another problem caused by the international plant trade. 

Farway

Even Monty D had to give up and bin them

I'd follow his example if I were you.

There are alternatives. But most are still being evaluated for long term

Link to RHS selection

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/shrubs/box-alternatives

twopenny

They will survive and regrow if you don't mind them not being perfect.

There are two ways, quite opposite.

Spray with an insecticide, the cheap one will do. Then net so the birds can't get on.
But this is tiresome and has to be repeated often.

I've succeeded by getting birds in. Dunnock especially.
I've had a pair for the past couple of years and it's lovely to watch them frantically hopping on the bushes eating the BM grubs for their nestlings. 
I now only have a few leaves nibbled.

I also found out from Monty what causes it and easy to avoid which was only discovered fairly recently.
Don't cut the box hedge when it's damp or humid. Only do it when everything is dry before and after.

It started when I cut the hedge just before rain. All the box I have that I didn't cut is unaffected.

And having found this out Monty has replanted some.

I'll post a picture tomorrow.

twopenny

I don't have a before photo cause who wants to photograph a worry.
But the birds have been at this and I think it's livable with.
I have clipped it this year making sure it's dry weather but it's growing like topsy.

The second photo of a cone hasn't been clipped and although nearby never got the bugs. 




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mummystudent

Keep_pedalling said:

Frankly you are fighting a loosing battle, I would rip them out and plant something else. Yet another problem caused by the international plant trade. 

I’m not quite there yet. I’m trying desperately to get them under control. So incredibly frustrating. 

mummystudent

twopenny said:

I don't have a before photo cause who wants to photograph a worry.
But the birds have been at this and I think it's livable with.
I have clipped it this year making sure it's dry weather but it's growing like topsy.

The second photo of a cone hasn't been clipped and although nearby never got the bugs. 




.

Thank you. It’s good to see there is a potential end in sight. I’m going out and getting as many as I can everyday - according to my son I’ve become obsessed. 

Interestingly the biggest area of box is under the bird feeders - I planted it to stop the bird food falling on the ground. The only birds that have ever shown and interest are the starlings, but even the drowned dead caterpillars I put out are still on the feeder. 

2nd round of nematodes today, 2 more doses before I give up. 

Thank you so much for offering me a glimmer of hope. 

mummystudent

Farway said:

Even Monty D had to give up and bin them

I'd follow his example if I were you.

There are alternatives. But most are still being evaluated for long term

Link to RHS selection

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/shrubs/box-alternatives

If I bin them I quite literally will have an empty garden other than some hostas. They are the main plant. Thanks for the link. I’d not see that.