From Tedot’s Finest – Toronto’s Top-Rated Sprinkler and Garden Drip System Experts
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Boxwood caterpillars are still causing serious problems in 2025 across Toronto and the GTA. What began as a growing concern in 2024 has now become a seasonal threat, especially for properties with mature hedges and formal garden layouts.
As a trusted name in irrigation systems and garden health, Tedot’s Finest often gets called in when homeowners notice something wrong with their plants. Sometimes it’s watering. Sometimes it’s pests. Often, it’s a bit of both. Our strength is in helping clients understand the difference and giving them real, actionable advice that protects their investment.
What Are Boxwood Caterpillars and Why Should You Be Concerned?
The boxwood caterpillar is the larval stage of the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis). These caterpillars feed aggressively on boxwood leaves, causing rapid defoliation. If left untreated, they can strip an entire hedge bare, leading to long-term damage or even plant death.
The damage often gets mistaken for drought stress or poor soil conditions. While many companies might stop at checking if your sprinklers are turning on, we take it further. We inspect water flow, pressure zones, soil response, and leaf structure. When things don’t add up, we help you get to the real cause.
How to Tell if It’s a Watering Problem or Pest Damage
Healthy gardens rely on both proper irrigation and close monitoring. It is easy to overlook the signs if you’re only focused on surface-level symptoms.
Watering issues often present as:
- Uniform browning from the outer edges of leaves
- Dry, compacted soil around the plant base
- Symptoms showing up across multiple plant types in the same area
Boxwood caterpillars, on the other hand, usually cause:
- Skeletonized or translucent leaves
- Browning that starts from deep inside the shrub
- Green or black droppings (frass) on leaves or the ground
- Fine silk webbing wrapped around new growth
- Caterpillars with green-yellow bodies, black stripes, and white dots
If you’re unsure, try this: place a white sheet under the plant and give it a shake. If caterpillars or droppings fall out, you’ve got a clear answer.
What You Can Do to Control Boxwood Caterpillars
While Tedot’s Finest does not apply pesticides, we believe in helping our clients stay informed. Here are the most effective ways to manage and recover from an infestation.
1. Apply BTK (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki)
BTK is a natural soil bacterium that specifically targets caterpillars without harming bees, pets, or beneficial insects.
Application tips:
- Choose a product like Safer’s BTK or Dipel
- Mix 15 to 30 mL of concentrate per 4 litres of water, following the label
- Spray thoroughly inside the plant, covering leaf undersides
- Apply early in the morning or in the evening for better effectiveness
- Reapply every 7 to 10 days or after rainfall until no caterpillars remain
It is important to remember that BTK must be ingested by the caterpillars to work, so proper timing and coverage are key.
2. Remove Caterpillars by Hand
Hand-picking is a practical solution for smaller gardens or light infestations.
- Wear gloves to avoid irritation
- Look deep inside the foliage and under leaves
- Drop caterpillars into a bucket of soapy water
- Do not crush them on the plant, as it can attract other pests
- Check your shrubs every few days during the active season
3. Help the Plant Recover Properly
Once the caterpillars are gone, your boxwoods will need time and support to recover.
Steps to aid recovery:
- Prune out dead, chewed, or damaged branches
- Apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and reduce evaporation
- Fertilize in early spring to encourage healthy new growth
- Water deeply and consistently with drip irrigation to reduce stress
- Thin dense growth to improve airflow and sunlight penetration
A common mistake is stopping after the caterpillars are gone. Recovery care is just as important. Without the right follow-through, the plant may remain weak and vulnerable.
This is where having the right partner makes a difference. Work with an irrigation professional who understands how water, soil, sunlight, and plant health all work together. At Tedot’s Finest, we help clients set up systems that support not just survival, but full recovery and growth.
If your irrigation company isn’t helping you think through recovery, it may be time to meet with someone who does.
Why Clients Choose Tedot’s Finest
Plenty of companies can turn on your sprinklers. Few take the time to understand what your garden is telling you.
At Tedot’s Finest, we don’t just make systems work, we make them work for your property. From water flow and zone coverage to leaf texture and soil condition, we look at the whole picture. Our team is known across Toronto for bringing added value, and it shows in our reviews.
Homeowners often say they learned more from a 10-minute conversation with us than they have in years of working with others. Whether it is grass care, mowing schedules, pests, or soil health, we’re here to share knowledge, not just show up and leave.
Healthy Gardens Need Collaboration
Your garden thrives when your irrigation team and gardener are working in sync. That is not always the case, but it can be. We take pride in filling that gap with insight, technical skill, and practical advice.
If you are unsure whether your plants are struggling from a lack of water or something more, schedule a walkthrough with us. We will help you assess the situation and make a clear plan moving forward.
Let’s protect your landscape the right way.
If you want a second opinion or just want to understand what’s really going on, we’re here to help.
📞 (437) 887-8677
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We’re not just turning on sprinklers. We’re helping homeowners grow healthy, resilient landscapes, one system at a time.
