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Woolly aphids on box shrub - help

Jade3Jade3 Posts: 50
edited April 2022 in Problem solving
I have woolly aphid on the box, not sure what to do, when I cut the affected growth to trim back the box the aphids get air born and I don't want to breathe them in and also don't want to use poison that could irritate airways.  I wonder if I should think about getting rid of some of the box hedging, is this going to come again every year now?

Very grateful for any tips and advice.

Thank you

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @Jade3 can you post a picture please. It may not be woolly aphid. If you are worried, you could always wear your covid mask when pruning.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Jade3Jade3 Posts: 50
    Lizzie27 said:
    @Jade3 can you post a picture please. It may not be woolly aphid. If you are worried, you could always wear your covid mask when pruning.
    Thanks Lizzie I've added picture to post above.  thanks again for any advice.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @Jade3 , Not quite sure what that is I'm afraid. I think I've had it on my box hedge in the past but just left it. You may find the birds will eat it all. I expect some of the other posters will have better ideas.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Jade3 I just wash them off with a watering can, if they do any harm I am not aware of it.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Not to worry too much. It looks like Box sucker. Common on new growth in spring. They feed off new leaves and cause them to cup a bit, but this is just superficial. If your shrub is well established, just give them a trim around mid June onwards. They don't attack beyond that time. 
  • Jade3Jade3 Posts: 50
    Many thanks Lizzie, Suze and Borderline, that's a great help. thank you all.
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