Buxus Hedge (caterpillar problem)

Hi, does anyone have any experience in a buxus hedge growing back from a caterpillar infestation? (see attached picture). I applied leatherjacket and caterpillar specific nematodes 2 weeks ago.

 

Box moth, mine are coming back, not seen any this year yet, but I'm sure they will return.

lots of people have given up on growing Box.

 

They have 3 cycles of laying so they will be back

 

A few years back Chris Beardshaw had problems with box blight in his garden and I recall that one of the things he did was feed it with seaweed feed.
We had problems with box moth/caterpillars a couple of years ago and now have only the one hedge left. It was fed with seaweed feed and was looking pretty good this year, until my OH trimmed it last week and I spotted a magpie pulling a caterpillar out of it.

We are going to try treating with Xentari, but as others have said, it will be a never ending battle I'm afraid.

 

My neighbour knocked on my door last week to tell me that her box had box moth infestation and she was going to rip it all out. I asked her to wear disinfected wellies and gloves next time she visited my property .

 

only thing ive seen work is a big population of ducks and other birds to gobble the larvae

lots of evergreen replacements. hebe, berberry, some edible ones like eleagnus ebbingei, tea even if you acidify the soil. in the south there is chilean guava Ugni Molinae which makes tasty berries. grows really well in mild ireland.

 

Good to know and yes I agree, Box can be a nightmare, alot of problems they face unfortunately. Ilex Crenata is a safer alternative