Brilliant, beautiful gardeners, any suggestions for eradicating leafminers in buxus?

Contact insecticides that are effective against boxwood leafminer adults and are labeled for homeowner use are malathion (such as Southern Ag Malathion 50%, Bonide Malathion Concentrate, Spectracide Malathion Insect Spray Concentrate, or Ortho Malathion Plus Insect Spray Concentrate) and carbaryl (Garden Tech Sevin or Ferti-lome Liquid Carbaryl Garden Spray). With these insecticides, begin treatment in mid-April to early May when the adult flies are seen hovering around the boxwood plants. Foliar systemic insecticides, such as acephate (Ortho Bug-B-Gon Japanese Beetle Killer or Bonide Systemic Insect Control Concentrate) are effective when leafminers are present in mines. Soil treatments with dinotefuran (Green Light Tree & Shrub Insect Control with Safari Insecticide) or imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control, Bonide Annual Tree & Shrub Insect Control with Systemaxx, or Ferti-lome Tree & Shrub Systemic Insect Drench) will control leafminers, but may take two weeks or more to begin providing season long control. Dinotefuran may move into shrubs more quickly than imidacloprid for faster control.

RScott

Cut out the infected parts and spray the rest with a garden/pedticide oil. (called pestoil or whiteoil in Oz) Its low toxic.

And make sure you rake up any leaf litter that is under or around trhe hedge to prevent reinfestation.

Good morning Reynwater,

I hope you had a great weekend. I just finished my morning walk at Venice Beach. I love to see these huge high flying pelicans hit the water below and come up with a fish.

http://www.venicebeach.com/

I just answered another question about Boxwood and leafminers a few weeks ago. It looks like Boxwoods are having a hard spring. Hit your Boxwoods NOW with “SPINOSAD” also called “Spinosyn A and B”, before your boxwoods start their new growth. It is an organic/natural insecticide.

Adult leafminers emerge from the leaves when boxwoods start new growth. The female leafminers immediately begin laying eggs in the new growth in April and early May. If new growth has already started, prune off new growth IMMEDIATELY and destroy by burning. This will stop next year’s invasion. Spinosad will kill Leafminers in one (1) or two (2) days.

IMPORTANT: Although “Spinosad” is organic, it is deadly to bees. If you have bees in the area, do not use. If bees are in the area, mix one third (1/3) cup Murphy Oil Soap to one (1) gallon of water. Again spray leaves on tops and especially the bottoms. Spray twice (a week apart). This mixture is not as toxic but it works. I used it for many years on citrus trees before using spinosad.

http://www.comfortis4dogs.com/about-comfortis/faqs...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinosad

TIP 1: I notice many answers have listed some deadly “manmade chemicals”. Warning, do NOT breathe or let any of these manmade chemicals/poisons tough your skin. Especially do not use around children or pets. Many of these chemicals/poisons can remain toxic in the SOIL and on the plants for months. The EPA suggests fruit/vegetable pickers stay out of the fields for at least a week after using some of these chemicals. I also believe these manmade chemicals/poisons weaken your plants/trees natural immune system.

TIP 2: I believe plants and trees stay healthy under the right conditions. Again, plants are just like humans. If they get weak, they get sick. Therefore check your soil’s pH level. You can fertilize, water, and sing to your plants, but they cannot access nutrients from the soil when your soil’s pH level is not right for that plant/tree. Your Boxwoods should stay around pH level 7.

Buy a pH Soil Testing Meter. The meters also check for mineral (nitrogen) deficiencies of iron, magnesium, and potassium in your soil. The meters are very easy to use. You can use the meter for other plants/trees. The meter will last you for years. A good one will cost under $20. I have included my favorite website which explains soil pH, and why it is important.

http://www.gardenersnet.com/atoz/ph.htm

TIP 3: Clean out ALL debris from under and around your Boxwoods. This debris can harbor viruses and fungi which can harm your plants roots and stems. Boxwoods have shallow roots. Their roots will benefit greatly from one (1) inch layer of organic mulch, no more than one (1) inch. VERY important you keep the new mulch six (6) inches away from the trunks.

You must understand that Leafminer is a generic term for many/wide variety of insects whose larvae tunnel inside plant leaves. In California and Florida, the most common is the citrus leafminer. I have had to fight leafminers many times. Most of the time they will not kill the plant or tree, but they can do a lot of damage especially with the plant or tree’s appearance. The website below is from the University of Florida which explains the difference species.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg006

I have developed many organic ways to fight them. I believe most diseases and insect invasions are caused by lack of nutrients, improper soil pH levels, and a lack of maintenance. A plant is the same as a human. When they become weak or lack a vitamin (nutrient), they get sick.

Tip 4: Companion growing: I guarantee companion growing helps. I do not have many problems with insects. I do share some with God’s creatures. I enjoy watching a few butterflies flying in the yard. After removing debris from around your boxwoods, if possible plant a few cloves of garlic. Garlic is a wonder plant which has been used for centuries. Garlic will help fight off many insects and diseases. I plant garlic around every fruit tree, especially peaches. You can also use for cooking (smile).

http://organicgardening.about.com/od/pestcontrol/a...

The above tips should help you win the fight for the long haul. I am an organic backyard gardener. I have nine (9) rare fruit trees, a 20x20 vegetable garden, and a front and backyard with hundreds of shrubs and flowers. I research all my trees and plants before I plant them. Right now I am researching and trying to get approval to plant a “Peanut Butter Tree”.

http://www.daleysfruit.com.au/fruit%20pages/peanut...

You and your family have a beautiful week. Peace, from Los Angeles.

This site seems to have sound advice may be worth a look

http://gardening.about.com/od/insectpestid/qt/Leaf...