Danger! This is how you prevent the dreaded boxwood borer!

Danger! This is how you prevent the dreaded boxwood borer!

The box tree borer, an insidious garden pest from East Asia, is increasingly causing problems for hobby gardeners in northern Germany. Loud Mercury This dreaded pest is constantly spreading from southern to northern Germany and is often attracted unnoticed by care errors. Boxwood borer caterpillars can cause significant damage to boxwood trees, which is a cause for concern for many gardeners.

What are the main defects that can lead to an infestation? The focus is on six care mistakes that gardeners should definitely avoid: the wrong location (too much sun and too little shade), irregular watering, inadequate fertilization, incorrect cutting times, failure to carry out regular checks and also inadequate air circulation. What all mistakes have in common is the potential to only further favor the boxwood moth.

Pests and their characteristics

But what does the boxwood moth actually look like? The caterpillars are initially light green and have black dots, so they are barely visible on the boxwood leaves. As they age, they become darker and develop noticeable stripes. These dreaded caterpillars can grow up to 4 cm long and are brutal in their feeding activity.

It's not just the caterpillar infestation that's a concern. If detected early, the damage shows up as small holes in the leaves, which can quickly develop into larger feeding areas. In the worst case, there is even a risk that the plant will die completely. Therefore, it is crucial to identify damage early in order to combat it effectively Garden academies explained.

Natural enemies and control methods

The natural enemies of the boxwood borer include sparrows, tits and wasps, which like to eat the larvae. In order to support beneficial insects, gardens should be provided with beneficial insect-friendly areas. Biological control methods, such as the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or neem oil, are effective solutions to combat the caterpillars naturally.

In addition to biological agents, chemical control methods are available, including approved insecticides such as pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. Promising application periods are spring at the beginning of caterpillar activity, summer during the peak, and fall for final application. But be careful - the use of chemical agents poses risks for non-target organisms and can lead to the development of resistance.

Practical tips for gardeners

To prevent an infestation, gardeners should pay attention to choosing a suitable location. A sunny to partially shaded spot with well-drained soil is ideal. Regular checks of the boxwood trees for signs of infestation and the use of pheromone traps can also help to identify the pest in a timely manner. The settlement of birds and the tolerance of wasps in the garden also support natural control.

There are definitely some preventative measures that every hobby gardener can integrate into their care: These include regular checks for signs of infestation, checking when purchasing plants and the early removal of caterpillars and webs. If you also choose alternative plants that are not attacked by the boxwood moth, you can save a bit of your garden idyll native-plants.de notes.

Ultimately, dealing with the boxwood borer requires proper knowledge and a proactive approach. With the right care and appropriate measures, gardeners can still enjoy their boxwoods in all their glory.