Few pests have spread as quickly in German and European gardens in recent years as the box tree borer. These nocturnal butterflies are so voracious that theydestroy entire stands of boxwood. How can boxwood borers be controlled, how helpful are the remedies and what boxwood alternatives are there?
Fighting boxwood borers – traps, insecticides, home remedies?
To say it straight away: an ideal remedy againstBoxwood boreris difficult to find. Insecticides, with their many harmful effects on the environment, are not a good option. Home remedies, beneficial insects and plant strengtheners (e.g. neem oil, nematodes or algae lime) are worth trying, but do not help reliably in all cases.
The boxwood moth trap remains. It is particularly useful as an “early warning system”. The most important step if you want to combat the box tree borer is to regularly check the situation. This should be done at least from March to October by checking whether box tree moths have been caught. As soon as you notice that this has happened, you know: within the next 10 to 14 days the boxwood moth will lay eggs. You have to take action now!
Are boxwood borers poisonous?
Boxwood moths are not poisonous - neither the caterpillars nor the butterflies. The problem, however, is the pests' diet: the boxwood itself. It contains so-called alkaloids. These are organic compounds that have pronounced pharmacological effects and can be very toxic to humans and animals.
Since you probably don't want to include caterpillars in your diet, you don't need to worry about your own health. Because touching, touching and collecting the boxwood moth does not harm us humans. Particularly careful gardeners wear gardening gloves when fighting the pest and/or wash their hands carefully after work - this way they avoid skin irritation from the fine hairs.
Infestation by boxwood borer – must be reported or not?
There is no obligation to report if you have found the boxwood borer in your garden, as there is hardly any danger to people and other living beings. There are two things you should still do:
• Inform your neighbors so that they can - if they have one themselvesBoxwoodhave in the garden – take appropriate precautionary measures.
• Never dispose of infected cuttings, leaves or diseased whole boxwood trees in the compost or in the green waste bin. Small quantities should be disposed of in household waste in well-sealed plastic bags. Larger quantities should be handed over to the recycling center with a clear indication that your green waste is infested with the box tree borer. Only then can appropriate action be taken there.
The most common boxwood diseases and pests at a glance
The boxwood is an evergreen shrub that is very popular in our gardens and throughout Europe. Just like other plants, boxwood is subject to diseases and pests that are usually easy to diagnose. We give you an overview of the pathogens that threaten the shrub.
If you want to buy a box tree for your garden but are afraid of the box tree borer and other pests, you can use the so-called Bloombux®, for exampleBoxwood substitutebe a good solution. It corresponds to boxwood in appearance, growth and malleability and is undemanding. It also offers the advantage of attracting valuable insects such as bumblebees with its lush and colorful flowers. Boxwood moths and other pests pose no threat to the easy-care Bloombux®, which is why the butterflies don't even lay their eggs here.
With oneBoxwood alternative, such as the Bloombux®, you don't have to worry about pests and boxwood diseases. The Bloombux® is not only resistant to all boxwood diseases, it is also easy to care for and winter hardy. The cut-tolerant Bloombux® can be planted as a pot plant, solitary plant or hedge plant.
