He already has some magnificent box tree hedges on his conscience, the box tree moth. Various sprays can be used to combat it. But when is the right time to inject against the Zünsler?

In a nutshell

  • the earlier it is detected, the more promising the treatment
  • Combat at different times with different methods
  • Spraying is just one step in controlling the box tree moth
  • right time depends on the activity of the pests

early detection of infestation

This pest is a small butterfly. Before spraying against the box tree moth, you should first identify it and its larvae. You can recognize him by these characteristics

  • dark-edged, silky white forewings
  • Larvae yellow-green to dark green caterpillars
  • green larvae hard to see on green foliage
  • typical signs in spring
  • white webs between leaves and shoots
  • Eating marks and/or droppings on leaves and shoots

Tip: Regular checking of the boxwood for webs, caterpillars or traces of droppings is recommended between April and September. This is the only way to detect and treat an infestation at an early stage.

Orientate to the rhythm of life

If you want to effectively combat this pest, you should know its lifestyle, because it is crucial for the success of a treatment. That's because the box tree moth uses sophisticated tactics to protect itself at several stages in its life. The eggs and pupae overwinter inside the plants. they are protected by webs and leaves at the end of February/beginning of March and can only be removed by pruning at this time.

The first step in spraying against the box tree moth is to set up pheromone traps to observe moth flight. Both in April/May for the first and in August and September for the second generation of moths. In particularly warm years, moth flight can also take place earlier.

Hints: If sprays are used too late, the box tree moth can damage the box so badly that it dies.

When should you inject?

The right time determines the success or failure of spraying against the box tree moth. The best spray is useless if it is administered too early or too late. These funds are particularly effective against the caterpillars of the box tree moth. As a result, they are most effective when used at the caterpillar stage, when the caterpillars are roaming freely on the plant.

  • Cut back the box about ten days after discovering the moths
  • to remove most of the eggs and larvae
  • start spraying another four days later
  • the first larvae have hatched and are beginning to eat
  • Repeat treatment after one to two weeks
  • at outside temperatures from 15 degrees and dry weather
  • no specific time of day
  • Don't just inject plants externally
  • also treat the inside intensively

When it comes to sprays, you should only use biological preparations. In this regard, agents based on the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis have already proven themselves. They are effective against free-eating butterfly caterpillars and beetle larvae. The active ingredients are absorbed by the caterpillars through feeding, which ultimately kills them. Neem oil is also suitable for direct control.

Ineffective during hibernation

During the hibernation, treatment with sprays is not recommended. The hibernation depends on the length of the day and usually begins as early as September. The animals are now inactive. They hibernate in webs of leaves and threads and only become active again next spring when temperatures rise above around 12 degrees.

frequently asked Questions

Are spraying alone sufficient to combat it?

They are part of effective control, since they cannot be effective at every stage of the pest's development and further measures such as cutting out infested parts of the plant at an early stage are usually necessary.

Does the box tree moth have natural predators?

There are hardly any natural predators. This is because the caterpillars are poisonous and are avoided by most pesticides. The toxicity comes from the fact that they absorb toxic ingredients from the boxwood through their feeding activity. For this reason you should also wear gloves when collecting the caterpillars.

Can you do something to prevent it?

Generally, an infestation cannot be prevented. However, when buying new plants, you can make sure that they are healthy. In addition, it can be helpful to hang up yellow boards near the box trees in order to recognize signs of a possible box tree moth population at an early stage and to be able to act as quickly as possible.

Category:

Garden plants