Bonide treatment to prevent leaf miners on boxwoods - Ask Extension
We have several boxwoods that were infested with leaf miners the past 2 springs. We sprayed the infestations with Bonide. We have not seen any leaf m...
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Bonide treatment to prevent leaf miners on boxwoods #866611
Asked May 01, 2024, 12:45 PM EDT
We have several boxwoods that were infested with leaf miners the past 2 springs. We sprayed the infestations with Bonide. We have not seen any leaf miners yet this spring. We have not had a chance to treat/drench with Bonide yet this spring.
Is it too late to try to prevent leaf miners this spring with a Bonide drench, since it takes weeks for the drench to absorb in the roots? We have both small (2 ft) and large/old (6 ft) box woods.
Or, should we spray with Bonide now and do Bonide drench in the fall?
We’d like to avoid treating twice in the same year if possible since it will cost quite a bit to treat twice.
Thank you!
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
It is not recommended to do a systemic control for leafminer until after bloom in an attempt to protect pollinators. Contact insecticides labeled for use on boxwood leafminer may be used during their adult emergence in mid-May or early-June. Monitoring techniques should be used to confirm the presence of the pest before applications are made. I found some scientific based information on websites and listed them below.
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1950
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/insects/flies/boxwood-leafminer
You may also want to try mechanical control of the leafminer population, if it is not too extensive. I wish you success in controlling damage to your boxwoods and that they provide you with beauty for many years.
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1950
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/insects/flies/boxwood-leafminer
You may also want to try mechanical control of the leafminer population, if it is not too extensive. I wish you success in controlling damage to your boxwoods and that they provide you with beauty for many years.
Thanks. My boxwoods all finished blooming a few weeks ago. And I’ve had no signs of infestation yet. My current goal is prevention.
- Is it too late to do a systemic drench for prevention now, since it takes weeks for a drench to be effective and infestation could occur during that time?
- Will a foliar application now provide long term prevention, with or without the presence of infestation?
Thank you!
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2024 1:30 PM
To: Rhonda Krouse <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Bonide treatment to prevent leaf miners on boxwoods (#0136532)
Since your boxwoods have finished blooming the use of a systemic insecticide, at this time, should have good efficacy against boxwood leafminer. The adults emerge in May thru early June and then the females lay eggs in-between the leaf surfaces. If a systemic has been applied, it will kill any larvae as they feed and as a result control development into adults.
I hope this provides success in managing Leafminer damage to your shrubs.
I hope this provides success in managing Leafminer damage to your shrubs.
