The boxwood moth (butterfly from the fan family) is an invasive species, it is one of the greatest threats to boxwood. It spreads quickly and forages heavily, therefore Smaller bushes can be destroyed even in a few days. When noticing the larvae, it is worth spraying immediately to minimize their damage. Most often they feed in March, June and August after four weeks they end and turn into butterflies.
The insect lays eggs 2-3 times a year. The last butterflies may appear in October, but their larvae are usually not fully educated. The transformed butterflies lay eggs deep in boxwood, so the first symptoms of infected plant can be difficult to see. Most often they are left white threads on the leaves, and brown dots (droppings), also bogged, empty shoots appear. Adult moths are difficult to see because they are only active at night. Butterflies can be tried to catch with pheromone traps.
Until recently, these pests did not occur in Poland, but now they are a real scourge in the gardens. If you want to get rid of them, you can reach for both chemical and natural preparations. The latter are definitely better for the environment, and they can be equally effective. One of the best spraying is a mixture of water with black potassium soap. This preparation with proper use is able to combat up to 90 percent. larvae Before using it, you can also rinse the bush, i.e. use a strong stream of water, directed at the center of boxwood to rinse some of the nested larvae, it is important that the water is under higher pressure. It’s best to do in the morning on a sunny day, and spraying the next day after 18:00, thanks to which we will get rid of most insects.
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Black soap is able to damage the epithelium covering the body of the caterpillar, and this leads to dehydration of the individual and later death. The effects of operation are visible during the day. However, to fight all pests, especially if the invasion is large, then the procedure should be repeated after 7-10 days. It is worth remembering that Butterflies can move up to 10 kmtherefore, having boxwood in the garden, it is worth doing such spraying prophylactically 3-5 times a year to prevent the reproduction of pests inside it.
Black soap spraying is best done after 18:00When the temperature reaches 18 – 22 degrees.
Spray should not be carried out in autumn. In mid -September, moth cocoons and are preparing for wintering, in such a situation plant protection products can be ineffective. Just like too early spraying in late winter – it’s better to wait for favorable conditions, thanks to which we will be sure that we got rid of boxwood moths.
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At the beginning you should buy liquid black soap – we will find it mostly drugstores. Later, enough Mix with water in a 1:10 ratio. This means that 100 ml of soap falls on 10 liters of water, if we have a small bush, we can add 10 ml of soap to a liter of water. The preparation should be mixed thoroughly and poured into the washer, in the case of large bushes, it is good that it has a long lance, thanks to which we will get inside the boxwood.
