Box Tree Caterpillars

Box tree caterpillars (the larvae of the box tree moth Cydalima perspectalis) can strip Buxus hedges and topiary in weeks. If you’ve noticed skeletonised leaves, webbing or green-yellow caterpillars with black heads and dark stripes, act quickly. Pest Shield provides professional box tree caterpillar control across Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham and surrounding towns—combining accurate identification, safe treatments and practical aftercare to get your box back to health.

What the damage looks like
Caterpillars feed on the soft foliage, leaving leaves “windowed” or reduced to veins. You may see webbing deep inside the hedge, pellets of frass (droppings), and brown patches that spread rapidly. Multiple generations can occur April to October, so untreated plants often decline through summer.

How we control box tree caterpillar (IPM approach)

• Survey & confirm – We confirm the pest (not winter scorch or drought), assess pressure and check neighbouring planting.

• Pheromone monitoring – Discreet traps help time treatments to peak moth activity and detect re-infestations.

• Targeted treatments – We prioritise biological options such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt, var. kurstaki) applied to reach feeding zones, alongside approved selective products where pressure is high.

• Follow-ups – Because new larvae hatch in waves, we schedule return visits to break the cycle.

• Cultural fixes – We improve light and airflow within dense hedges, remove heavily infested clippings, and advise on watering/feeding so plants recover strongly.
  All products are used legally and exactly to label in a way that protects people, pets and pollinators (e.g., avoiding spray during bee flight and in blossom).

Why timing matters
Treatments work best when caterpillars are small and actively feeding. Our monitoring and site notes ensure we treat at the right moment, then recheck 10–14 days later. Leaving it until late summer usually means more foliage loss, slower recovery and higher costs.

Aftercare that speeds recovery
Healthy plants resist re-infestation better. We’ll outline a simple programme: deep watering during dry spells, a balanced feed (not excessive nitrogen), light remedial pruning once fresh growth starts, and hygiene (bag and remove clippings; don’t compost heavily infested material). We can maintain traps through the season and return for preventative checks ahead of peak periods.

When replacement makes sense
Where plants are severely defoliated or multiple seasons of damage have distorted structure, we’ll be honest about re-planting options—either fresh box with a prevention plan, or alternative evergreen structures less prone to attack.

For private gardens, estates and commercial sites
We work discreetly for homeowners, landscapers, housing associations and facilities teams. You’ll get a clear digital report after every visit—what we found, what we applied (with COSHH), photographs and practical next steps. For large sites we can phase works by bed or quadrant so borders remain presentable.

Why choose Pest Shield
Local North East technicians, fast response, and evidence-led control that goes beyond a one-off spray. We combine monitoring, selective treatments and plant-health improvements so results last—without over-treating or risking off-target effects.

Areas we cover
Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Gateshead, and nearby towns including South Shields, Washington, Jarrow, Hebburn, North Shields, Tynemouth, Whitley Bay, Wallsend, Chester-le-Street, Seaham and Peterlee.

Get advice or a free quote
Send a photo of the damage and we’ll confirm if it’s box tree caterpillar and recommend the safest, most effective plan for your garden or site.