Boxwood pests - Ask Extension
Dee Runk boxwood has an insect problem. Is it possible to identify and recommend treatment as the infestation seems fairly significant.
Knowledgebase
Boxwood pests #872968
Asked June 13, 2024, 2:04 PM EDT
Dee Runk boxwood has an insect problem. Is it possible to identify and recommend treatment as the infestation seems fairly significant.
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
The foliage pictured looks really good, and the webbing is from spiders, not a plant pest. There might be a very minor amount of old boxwood mite feeding damage present (which is very common), but those mites are not responsible for any webbing, and they generally don't cause much cosmetic damage to warrant treatment. You can use the information on our boxwood diagnostic page to see if any other symptoms look concerning, and you can share additional photos with us if you think there is an infection or another pest causing damage on other parts of the shrub.
If the spider webs are bothersome, you can spray the shrub with a strong jet of water from a garden hose to knock most of them off, but the spiders will probably just rebuild them fairly quickly, especially as we get later in the season and the spiders are more mature (as larger spiders tend to build more prominent webs). They're eating insects, though, so are good to have around as natural pest control.
Miri
If the spider webs are bothersome, you can spray the shrub with a strong jet of water from a garden hose to knock most of them off, but the spiders will probably just rebuild them fairly quickly, especially as we get later in the season and the spiders are more mature (as larger spiders tend to build more prominent webs). They're eating insects, though, so are good to have around as natural pest control.
Miri
Thank you very much for the information. It is good news that it’s not something worse. I will try a water spray as the bushes do have a lot of webs making some of the branches fall away from the tree. There is quite an infestation. There are 2 of these, one on each side of my house and are a central plant to the landscaping.
As always, I appreciate the information- as well as the spiders!
Cynthia