Vitax Py Bug Killer Concentrate Garden Spray, 250 ml

Product Information

As box caterpillars feed on the leaves, they tend to leave behind skeletonised leaves with only the veins remaining. This can give the plant a web-like appearance, as the caterpillars consume all of the soft tissue between the veins. Spray the whole plant, including the undersides and tops of the leaves, as well as any plants directly beside your affected boxwood. However, DO NOT spray any flowering plants, as a chemical insecticide doesn’t only kill caterpillars – it will kill pollinators like bees, too.

At this point, it could be easy to think the caterpillars won’t cause much damage, and they’ll go away on their own. But trust me; this isn’t the case – I’m talking from past experience here! It’s important to act straight away to minimise the damage. So, what can you do? With this in mind, it’s unsurprising that seeing a box caterpillar infestation can cause even an experienced gardener some stress, especially if their boxwood is in plain sight for all to see!Pesticide control The RHS believes that avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies, should be the first line of control. If chemical controls are used, they should be used only in a minimal and highly targeted manner. Spray your boxwood with a store-bought chemical insecticide as soon as you notice any damage. This could be as early as March all the way to late September. This control method has two pheromone lures that act as a female moth, attracting male box tree moths. Once the trap has lured them in, they drop through the funnel and into the trap.

The final control method is a chemical (or “synthetic”) insecticide. I don’t typically use or recommend chemical insecticides due to the potential damage they can do to other animals and plants.

PY Bug Killer Concentrate is a broad spectrum insecticide that specifically controls aphids and caterpillars on roses and a wide range of vegetables. OK, so hand removal doesn’t sound all that fun. But when you’ve noticed the start of an infestation, hand removal may be all you need to control their numbers. Simply put on some protective gloves and get to work, removing each caterpillar by hand. Tolerate some thrips damage, despite extensive silvery mottling established outdoor shrubs will usually survive the presence of glasshouse thrips For flat hard surfaces, apply 10 grams of product per square metre of surface. For ants nests in grass apply 20 grams of product per square metre.