Box tree moth invasion: How to protect and save your garden

The box tree moth is the most prominent representative of the family Crambidae in Europe. It feeds on young boxwood shoots and can cause the complete death of the plant. How can you get rid of this pest from your garden?

None of us had heard of the box tree moth twenty years ago. Initially, it inhabited Asia, but in 2006, its presence was noted in Germany. It quickly spread throughout the rest of Europe.

The box tree moth is an invasive species. As the name suggests, it feeds on boxwood. In a short time, it can severely damage the plant and even lead to its death. How do you get rid of the box tree moth? Try one of these home remedies.

The box tree moth appears in gardens as early as April. Within one season, the female can lay about 30 eggs. She lays them on young boxwood shoots and then covers the plant with a solid web.

Three weeks later, larvae hatch, which later turn into caterpillars. They stand out with their unique yellow-green colouration, featuring stripes and characteristic black spots. During this period, they are incredibly voracious. They feed on young leaves and shoots of boxwood, destroying the plant in the process. They can even lead to the plant's death if not removed in time.

If you notice a thin web on the boxwood, it's a sign that the box tree moth has attacked the shrub. How can you get rid of the pest from the garden? You can use ready-made insecticides or prepare a homemade spray to deal with pests quickly. It's cheap, eco-friendly, and completely safe for the plant.

You need two things—water and plain soap. Grate a soap bar and dissolve it in 5 litres of warm water. Pour the prepared solution into a bottle with a sprayer and spray the plant. After a few hours, you'll notice the larvae lying on the ground. Repeat the procedure for a week, and you'll get rid of them for good.

Don't have plain soap at home? No problem. Use oil and vinegar. Prepare 5 litres of water and add 5 tablespoons of oil and 4 tablespoons of vinegar. Mix the ingredients and pour them into a bottle with a sprayer, then spray the boxwood with it. Repeat the procedure for a week; the box tree moth will be just a memory after a week.