What is Box Caterpillar?
Box Caterpillar (Cydalima perspectalis) is native to East Asia and was unfortunately first spotted in the UK in 2007 down to imports to imports from abroad. Measuring around 1 inch, they very successfully hide amongst the foliage and are usually only noticed once major damage has occured.
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Moths are seen in gardens from May onwards and the cycle from egg to fully grown moth takes a matter of months. Eating a huge amount in their two week larval stage, they then cover themselves in a silk cocoon before emerging as moths. Early treatment can easily control the spread on caterpillar and therefore help save plants.
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It takes only a few days for plants to be completely defoliated usually leading to death.
Note particularly obvious
Partial defoliation
This usually take only 3-4 weeks. Plants can be resurrected depending on how much of an area has been eaten.
Note particularly obvious
1
Lepid 1
A Box Moth pheromone that inhibits the male moths ability to find a female to mate.
Can treat up to 50m of hedge under 1meter in width and height. Also suitable for topiary and larger hedges
Use April-July
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£450
Box Caterpillar
Control
There is good news- it can be treated. We use a natural, biological control that only affect the caterpillar, leaving other insects alone. The controls naturally feed on caterpillar and aren't man made chemicals.
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Treatment is recommended at up to 2 applications per year, but once treated, sometimes only an annual treatment is required
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£90 per treatment per half hour which is usually enough for the average garden.
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Having had Box caterpillar cause real damage to my own hedging a few years back, I thought there must be something that can be done and thankfully there is. Seeing beautiful hedges and topiary shapes killed off in weeks is not only sad to see, but also financially painful.
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Costs to replace a 100cm hedge standing 40cm tall can be around £70 and a 100cm x 60cm as much as £170.
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We feel we offer a cost effective answer compared to the price of replacing established hedges
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2
Lepid 2
A naturally occurring bacteria used to treat Box Caterpillar.
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Usually two treatments per year
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Use March-September
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£90