Boxwood Moth Worm - Ask Extension
Is there a way to save these plants? How to safely dispose of plants with BoxTree Moth in Caterpillar stage?
Knowledgebase
Boxwood Moth Worm #931650
Asked May 14, 2026, 10:19 AM EDT
Is there a way to save these plants? How to safely dispose of plants with BoxTree Moth in Caterpillar stage?
Clinton County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
If you are certain that you are seeing the Boxwood moth caterpillars, you can attempt to eradicate them with pesticide applications. This article discusses various products that are effective against boxwood moth larvae. You would want to carefully follow the label instructions regarding amounts and frequency of applications.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/insecticide-options-for-box-tree-moth-management-ir4-project
If you think you would rather remove the shrubs, there are protocols described in this article that explain how to responsibly dispose of infested plant material. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/safeguard-against-spreading-the-invasive-box-tree-moth
The most common method is double bagging in plastic bags and leaving the bags in the sun to make sure the larvae are killed.
If you are certain that you are seeing the Boxwood moth caterpillars, you can attempt to eradicate them with pesticide applications. This article discusses various products that are effective against boxwood moth larvae. You would want to carefully follow the label instructions regarding amounts and frequency of applications.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/insecticide-options-for-box-tree-moth-management-ir4-project
If you think you would rather remove the shrubs, there are protocols described in this article that explain how to responsibly dispose of infested plant material. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/safeguard-against-spreading-the-invasive-box-tree-moth
The most common method is double bagging in plastic bags and leaving the bags in the sun to make sure the larvae are killed.
