Box Tree Moth Treatment
Boxwoods across Toronto and the GTA face a growing threat: the invasive Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis), capable of stripping hedges bare in just weeks if left untreated.
At GREEN & BRIGHT SOLUTIONS, we offer professional, eco-conscious treatment programs to protect your landscape from this aggressive pest — using well-timed applications that stop the damage before it’s too late.
"Protect Your Boxwoods from Destruction!"
What Is the Box Tree Moth?
Box Tree Moth larvae are leaf-eating caterpillars that target boxwood shrubs. In their feeding stage, they chew through leaves and young shoots, leaving behind bare stems, green-black frass, and silk webbing.
Box Tree Moth is highly invasive, spreading quickly and causing severe defoliation when multiple generations overlap during the season. Across Toronto and Southern Ontario, untreated infestations have led to the decline and death of countless boxwood hedges.
Signs of Box Tree Moth Damage
- Thin webbing or silk threads between leaves
- Chewed or skeletonized foliage
- Green-yellow striped caterpillars (0.04–1.5 in) with black heads
- Frass (greenish-black droppings) scattered in the canopy
- Rapid thinning or browning of leaves
Early infestations can be difficult to spot, as young caterpillars camouflage with the foliage. Regular monitoring ensures early action and better results.
Our Treatment Approach
We use targeted, eco-conscious treatments that protect your boxwoods while minimizing harm to pollinators and other beneficial insects:
Biological treatments
Target caterpillars naturally without affecting pollinators and beneficial species.
Manual removal
Available for low-pressure areas or if you prefer a hands-on spray-free approach.
Timed applications
Scheduled precisely to match the Box Tree Moth’s life cycle for best results.
Ongoing monitoring
Regular inspections to detect new caterpillar activity early and prevent recurring damage throughout the season.
This treatment is also effective against other invasive caterpillars such as the Gypsy Moth (LDD Moth), helping to protect not just boxwoods, but also other vulnerable trees and shrubs in your yard.
Because treatments only affect the active caterpillar stage, protection typically lasts for that generation. Ongoing monitoring is essential to catch new waves of larvae as they emerge.
When to Act?
Timing is key. Box Tree Moth produces multiple generations per year, and early intervention leads to the best results:
- Initial inspection and treatment in late spring – first generation.
- Follow-up in mid-summer – second wave of larvae.
- Final fall check-up – to stop late-season caterpillars.
In Southern Ontario, the Box Tree Moth typically produces 2 to 3 full generations per year, and in warmer years, a partial fourth generation may occur. This makes seasonal monitoring essential, and additional treatments may be required in late summer or fall. Fall treatments are especially important to reduce survival into the next season.
Serving Toronto, Vaughan, Etobicoke, Mississauga, North York and nearby.
Protect Your Boxwoods Today
