{"product_id":"box-tree-moth-caterpillar-nematodes","title":"Box Tree Moth Caterpillar Nematodes (Steinernema mix)","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you've noticed unusual webbing on a clipped box ball, leaves stripped to skeleton form, or the unmistakable sight of pale-green caterpillars with black heads working their way through your topiary — this is what you're looking at. The \u003cstrong\u003eBox Tree Moth\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCydalima perspectalis\u003c\/em\u003e) has become one of the most serious threats to British box gardens of the past decade, particularly across the South, and it's spreading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe good news: nematodes work. The \u003cstrong\u003eRHS has now confirmed\u003c\/strong\u003e what biological control specialists have been recommending for years — that nematode treatments significantly reduce larvae numbers, and properly timed, they can save a box hedge or topiary specimen from the worst of the damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis pack contains a \u003cem\u003eSteinernema feltiae\u003c\/em\u003e \/ \u003cem\u003eSteinernema carpocapsae\u003c\/em\u003e nematode mix — two complementary species working together against the caterpillars at the most vulnerable stage of their life cycle. Each pack treats approximately 60 sqm of box hedge or topiary. Available in 1, 2, or 3-pack quantities, supplied through our partner Ladybird Plant Care — specialists in biological pest controls, chosen because their approach mirrors our own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpotting the pest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCatching box tree moth early gives you the best chance of saving the plant. Look for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePale yellow eggs\u003c\/strong\u003e in clusters on the underside of leaves, often near the outer growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCaterpillars\u003c\/strong\u003e — pale green with black heads and dark stripes, growing up to 4cm long\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWebbing\u003c\/strong\u003e between leaves and twigs, often the first sign noticeable from a distance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDefoliation and dieback\u003c\/strong\u003e — caterpillars work their way inward, sometimes stripping a plant from the inside out before the outer canopy looks affected\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe adult moth\u003c\/strong\u003e — brown with white-edged wings, around 4cm wingspan, often resting on or near box plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy the time webbing is visible, you typically already have a serious infestation. Worth checking your box plants regularly through spring and summer rather than waiting to see damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow nematodes work against box tree moth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe nematode mix in this pack — \u003cem\u003eSteinernema feltiae\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eSteinernema carpocapsae\u003c\/em\u003e — are microscopic organisms that seek out the caterpillars and infect them naturally, halting feeding within hours and ending the larva's life cycle within a few days. Crucially, they're harmless to bees, butterflies, ladybirds, hoverflies, birds, pets, children, and the wider garden ecosystem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRHS Entomologist Stephanie Bird has confirmed: \u003cem\u003e\"Nematodes can be a useful addition to the gardener's armoury for control of box moth caterpillar.\"\u003c\/em\u003e A recent RHS study found they considerably reduce larvae numbers — bringing the overall pest population down by affecting this critical life stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen and how often to treat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBox tree moth has \u003cstrong\u003etwo generations per year\u003c\/strong\u003e, so for proper protection treatment is needed at two points in the season:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring treatment\u003c\/strong\u003e — typically late April to May, targeting the first generation of caterpillars\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMidsummer treatment\u003c\/strong\u003e — typically July, targeting the second generation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor each treatment window, ideally apply \u003cstrong\u003ethree doses, two weeks apart\u003c\/strong\u003e. This gives the most reliable control because nematodes are short-lived once applied, and successive applications catch caterpillars hatching at different times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAir temperature needs to be \u003cstrong\u003e12°C or above\u003c\/strong\u003e for the nematodes to be effective — apply on mild days, and ideally in the cool of evening rather than the heat of midday.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much to order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHere's an important practical point: nematode packs only stay viable in the fridge for \u003cstrong\u003e2-3 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e. So we'd recommend not buying all three doses for a treatment window at once. Instead:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrder the first two doses\u003c\/strong\u003e at the start of your treatment window (the 2-pack quantity is sized for exactly this)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrder the third dose\u003c\/strong\u003e a couple of weeks later, timed to arrive when you need it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis way nothing goes to waste, and your treatments are always with the freshest possible product. For larger box collections covering more than 60 sqm, scale the quantities accordingly — one pack treats roughly 60 sqm of plant material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat else to do alongside\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNematodes are most effective as part of a wider approach. Some additional steps that genuinely help:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-pick caterpillars\u003c\/strong\u003e wherever you can see them — especially in the early stages of an infestation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRemove and bin (don't compost) any leaves with heavy webbing\u003c\/strong\u003e — this physically reduces the pest population on the plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck the underside of leaves for egg clusters\u003c\/strong\u003e and remove these by hand where possible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePheromone traps\u003c\/strong\u003e can be useful for monitoring adult moth activity (not for control, but for knowing when caterpillars are about to appear)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen up the centre of dense topiary\u003c\/strong\u003e a little after pruning — better airflow makes the plant less hospitable to caterpillars and easier to inspect\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of nematodes for the larvae you can't see and hand-removal for the ones you can is significantly more effective than either approach alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrdering and despatch\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBecause these are \u003cem\u003elive\u003c\/em\u003e biological controls, we don't keep them on standing stock — they're ordered in fresh through Ladybird Plant Care so they reach you at peak effectiveness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrder by 10am Monday\u003c\/strong\u003e for despatch the same week\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrders placed \u003cstrong\u003eafter 10am Monday\u003c\/strong\u003e will despatch the following week\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDispatched directly by Ladybird Plant Care — you'll receive tracking from them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWorth bearing in mind when planning a treatment cycle — give yourself a few days' grace, particularly for the first dose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFull application instructions come with your pack. You can also \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0023\/4573\/0117\/files\/Multitarget_Nematode_Mix.pdf?v=1750754762\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003edownload the detailed instructions here\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHelp the RHS track the spread\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBox tree moth is still spreading across the UK and your sighting genuinely helps the RHS monitor where it's reaching and how rapidly. If you've spotted moths, caterpillars, or damage, please consider \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.rhs.org.uk\/boxtreemothsurvey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003efilling out the RHS Box Tree Moth Survey\u003c\/a\u003e. It only takes a few minutes, and citizen-science contributions like this are how we collectively understand and respond to garden pests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Ladybird Plant Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLadybird Plant Care are specialists in biological pest controls — gentle, naturally-derived solutions for problems that have traditionally been tackled with chemicals. We stock their range because their approach mirrors our own: work \u003cem\u003ewith\u003c\/em\u003e the garden, not against it, and trust the wider ecosystem to find its own balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA note for box-loving gardeners: if your hedge or topiary is significantly damaged, don't write it off. Box is remarkably resilient — with the moth controlled and good aftercare (a feed, a mulch, patience through one growing season), most plants recover their form within a year or two. The hardest part is acting quickly enough to stop the damage before it gets ahead of you.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLive biological products cannot be returned. Please order only when you're ready to apply within the next few days, and ensure you have suitable conditions (temperature above 12°C, active pest presence) for treatment success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ladybirdplantcare.co.uk","offers":[{"title":"1 x 60 sqm pack","offer_id":56759939957113,"sku":"GYO-01-PK-S","price":9.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 x 60 sqm packs","offer_id":56759939989881,"sku":"GYO-02-PK-M","price":17.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 x 60 sqm packs","offer_id":56759940022649,"sku":"GYO-03-PK-L","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0576\/6004\/7547\/files\/ac0f491f-3194-43e8-abbd-d305e5256000.jpg?v=1772371102","url":"https:\/\/www.bishybarnabeescottagegarden.com\/products\/box-tree-moth-caterpillar-nematodes","provider":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}