Brummie a long time ago
master brummie
Its horrible isn't it?Last year box tree moths/caterpillars decided to descend on my garden and help themselves to my box hedging. Consequently this is the result. Gutted. It’s taken me 5 years to get the plants to this stage. So I’ve bought 2 box tree moth traps, you know the ones with pheromones. Anyone used these ? I’m sceptical, but worth a try. Otherwise I think the hedging will have to come out. Pity, as I can see new shoots starting. Any other tips welcome too as I’m a believer of attacking on all fronts. Viv.
3 years ago we had an infestation in the region, and they came back the year after in smaller numbers to finish the job. The traps you have will help a lot. If you see the caterpillars on the plants, kill them, dump them in hot water if you don't want to use your foot. Bear in mind that hairy caterpillars of most sorts can irritate the skin, sometimes badly, wear gardening gloves. (I'm sure you knew that). If it gets as far as turning into moths, then the ones to go for are the darker brown ones, they are the females. Show no mercy. They can fly a good distance, so get them when you see them. It is a bit of a manual process, but worth it.
If you have new shoots, take the rest out and leave them to grow, it might be dispiriting, but they will come back. They have round here, and quite quickly.
Just to lift your spirits slightly, it is a big walking area around here (Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle route) and the caterpillars were hanging from branches a bit like spiders on a thread, and brushing into the faces of the walkers. A bit like the effect in some fairground ghost trains. Reactions ranged from panic, arm waving, spitting out caterpillars.
All the above from Julie, my other half. I am still on a provisional licence in the gardening department.
Bonne chance, Andrew.