Fighting the box tree moth: tips & tricks

The box tree moth spreads fear and terror. We have compiled all the methods for combating the borer and revealed which is the best.

The bush tree borer (Cydalima perspectalis) is a green glutton: If the infestation is severe, a young or small box tree (Buxus) be eaten bald quickly. The robust bushes often drift through again - but the appearance suffers significantly from the moth and repeated infestation can even lead to the plant's death. We will introduce you to the various methods that effectively combat the caterpillar and at the same time inform you about the advantages and disadvantages.

At what point in time and with which chemical spray, household remedy or biological preparation can the bush tree borer be eradicated? In the following you will find a large number of methods as well as information on effectiveness and references to our comprehensive special articles. Right at the beginning we have put together an overview of the various control methods for you in a table:

Pesticides	Reliable combat	Immediate feeding stop	Gentle on bees	Gentle on beneficial insects	Biologically	Easily applicable / practicable
Pheromone traps	no	no	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Conventional pesticides	Yes	Yes	Yes	no	no	no
Neem products	Yes	Yes	Yes	no	Yes	no
Home remedies	Fewer	no	Yes	Yes	Yes	Different
Plantura borer-free XenTari®	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Fighting the box tree moth: the right time

When can you spray the boxwood moth or take other control measures? The various stages of development differ in how they can be controlled. Young Moth caterpillars are protected from pesticides in nests made of leaves and caterpillar webs, and the pupated caterpillar in the cocoon, in particular, is of course not affected by poisons. the Box tree moth eggs and newly hatched larvae can, however, be removed by cutting and older, free-eating caterpillars are easily caught by spray or a courageous jet from the water hose. To understand when which measure will have an effect, you need to get to know your enemy: eggs, caterpillars and Boxwood moth occur in a very specific order and in 2 to 3 generations per year. This article describes the biology of the moth and gives advice on which method can be used and when.

Tip: In order to follow the development of the box tree moth in your own garden and to be able to react directly, the use of Pheromone traps for boxwood moths an effective tool. With traps like that Plantura moth trap you can recognize an infestation at an early stage. The traps exude sex pheromones, which attract the males and show them exactly when eggs are laid and caterpillars appear.

Fight the box tree moth with chemicals

If you want to control the box tree moth with insecticides, there are various manufacturers and active ingredients that we have summarized in a table below. In order to draw your attention to the devastating effects of these insecticides, you will also find brief information on the respective harmfulness of the agent. Please note that agents that are declared as "not dangerous to bees" often have a tremendous harmful effect on other, no less important or useful organisms. For this reason, we at Plantura strongly advise against using any of the active ingredients listed below in your garden. Anyone who would like to find out more about the properties of pesticides can do so in Directory of approved plant protection products of the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety to do.

Active ingredient	effect	Products	Hints
Azadirachtin	Contact poison, inhibits feeding, larval development, reproduction, then death	Lizetan AZ pest-free, neem products, Compo boxwood moth K.O. i.a.	Harmful to various insects, arachnids and aquatic organisms
Thiacloprid	Systemic and contact poison, paralysis and death	Bayer Calypso	In undiluted form harmful to humans, harmful to various insects, arachnids and aquatic organisms
Acetamiprid	Systemic and contact poison, paralysis and death	Pest-free Careo concetrat	Slightly harmful to various insects, arachnids and aquatic organisms
Pyrethrins, rapeseed oil	Contact poison, anesthesia, and death	Spruzit AF Pest-Free, COMPO Triathlon Universal Insect-Free AF	Harmful to various insects, arachnids and aquatic organisms

Note: The active ingredient azadirachtin is made from the seeds of Neem tree won. Neem products can be used in organic farming and are considered "organic". In fact, however, the isolated active ingredient is as damaging to many non-target organisms as conventional insecticides. Broths from natural Neem oil In contrast, they are often less concentrated and also contain substances that have a deterrent effect on insects and thus prevent contact with the harmful azadirachtin.

Fight boxwood moth biologically

We recommend combating the moth biologically. Using low dose neem oil spray is a possible option. The spray liquid must be applied regularly and, thanks to the ingredients salannin and meliantriol, also acts as an effective deterrent. It simply keeps the moth at a distance through an unpleasant smell. It is now also possible to use beneficial insects: nematodes of the species Steinernema carpocapsae parasitize and kill moth caterpillars. In order for these to be able to reach the caterpillars at all, however, a very special formulation of the spray mixture is necessary, which contains adhesives and swelling agents. The promotion of “own” beneficial insects is particularly close to nature: the native garden birds and wasps, as mentioned above under the item “Home remedies”.

The use of highly specific Bt preparations is recommended by authorities and experts: remedies like ours Plantura borer-free XenTari^®. They contain persistent forms of a particular strain of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which can only damage caterpillars. The bacterium has to be ingested by the borer, a toxin is released in the intestine, which causes a quick feeding stop and then the death of the caterpillar. Caterpillars that do not eat the boxwood are not attacked by the bacterium - so admirals, swallowtails and other beautiful moths are safe.

This special article provides you with comprehensive information about the possibilities of biological control of the borer.

Fight the box tree moth with home remedies

The box tree moth can be kept in check to a certain extent with tricks and tricks. If the infestation is low, collecting the caterpillars and cutting out the webs is still worthwhile. Who the flight of the nocturnal moths - and with it the mating - means Pheromone traps observed and used the hedge trimmer two weeks later at the latest, this allows the eggs and newly hatched larvae to be removed from the outside area. Packing the entire box tree in a net can help prevent the egg-laying from the outset - but it blocks the view of the beautiful shrub. If you want to reduce a strong infestation quickly, it is also helpful to use a high-pressure cleaner to throw the majority of the caterpillars out of the branches. Or you can pack individual box trees in black plastic bags and let the sun heat the inside so much that hardly a borer leaves the bush alive. We would like to advise against the use of baking powder and algae lime, because these agents are ineffective or even harmful to your box tree. Lastly, encouraging birds and wasps in your yard is also a preventative measure. These devour the moths (possibly even the caterpillars) and thus plaster part of the problem. Detailed information on how to use the above Home remedies for the box tree moth can be found in our associated special article. Please note that home remedies are often more time-consuming and less effective than specially developed remedies. We therefore clearly recommend the use of ours Plantura borer-free XenTari^®that combines maximum effectiveness with sustainability - for gardeners without compromise.

Tip: The caterpillars of the boxwood moth contain many toxins, which they ingest from the boxwood, which is also poisonous. Just as most people can touch the boxwood, skin contact with the boxwood moth is not dangerous either. However, you should not put the moth or boxwood in your mouth. In our special article "Are boxwood moths poisonous?”You can find more information on this topic.