Watch the video: Boxwood moth – This is how you can save your boxwoods – without chemicals.
It has been driving boxwood lovers to despair since the 2000s: the boxwood moth. The voracious caterpillars eat entire trees and hedges bare. Entire parks are increasingly turning brown instead of green. This bright green caterpillar is responsible for the baldness. It was introduced from East Asia and has no enemies in this country. It helps to be vigilant so that you don’t have to resort to chemicals straight away and endanger bees and other insects or have to dispose of the entire boxwood stock. If you recognize the infestation early, you can collect the caterpillars and the typical webs. It helps to shake the trees so the caterpillars fall out. Severely infected branches should be cut off. You can also fight the boxwood moths with a strong jet of water. For severe infestations, the Federal Environment Agency recommends a spray based on the bacterium “Bacillus thuringiensis”. However, NABU advises against using baking soda as a home remedy.