Box T Pro Press after four seasons use – is it worth it?

The quick answer is yes, 2025 will be the fourth season of using Box T Pro Press and the third consecutive year at the Grade 1 listed Chiswick House & Gardens, West London. It feels like a good time to round up why I’ve continued to recommend its use for dealing with the continuing ravages of the box tree moth and caterpillar.

 What is it and how does it work?

The product is based on the same pheromone that is used in box moth trap lures. Pheromones are a distinctive smell (simplified explanation) of a female box moth that attracts males so that they can mate. In a trap this lures the male moths to the trap so that the pest pressure level can be monitored.

In Box T Pro Press the pheromone strength is 7 times stronger with doses applied to box hedges and Topiary at regular intervals based on their size (once every 2m for hedges less than a metre tall and wide). Normally a male box moth flies towards a female moth by sensing where she is from the pheromone she emitted, however in the area treated with Box T Pro Press, everywhere smells of the female box moth pheromone so consequently the males are confused and can’t find the females. Consequently far fewer eggs get fertilised and the number of caterpillars born is reduced.

My experience at both the National Trust’s Ham House and Chiswick House & Gardens is a reduction in the number of caterpillars of around 80%. The effect of this is a major reduction in damage to the treated Buxus plants and therefore significantly improved visual appearance. The other major advantage is that it reduces the pressure to use the Bacillus thuringiensis based spray like Dipel which although the most effective treatment does require up to 8 applications when first dealing with a large infestation. In the UK this inevitably means that just as you need to spray the weather turns very wet or windy and causes a delay and therefore more damage to your topiary or hedges. Using the Box T Pro Press means you can reduce the number of times you need to spray, at both properties mentioned only 2 or 3 applications were needed and some of those were just in targeted areas. You can also delay spraying until suitable weather conditions return without as much damage being done compared to if you were only spraying which helps reduces your stress levels! 

The Product

It comes in a sachet that contains 250 doses or dollops. This is put into a clear plastic cylinder that has a bicycle pump valve at one end and at the other a nozzle very similar to those used for the application of expanding foam. The bike valve is used to pressurise the cylinder which forces the product out the nozzle when the trigger is pressed. The advantage of this is that no propellants are needed – an idea that other companies might like to consider to help their eco credentials.

The pheromone is suspended in waxy gel that you apply to a branch inside the plant and it defuse over the following three months. Two treatments are required to cover the full flight season of the moth, in the UK first application is in mid-May and again three months later in mid-August. Once a sachet is opened it needs to be stored in a fridge and be used within 3 months. 

Conclusions after multiple uses

The are a few of downsides to the product that I can see, one it is that it is only registered for professional use (you need to hold PA1 & PA6 certificates) which limits the customer base. Another is that it is only effective when used in larger gardens/areas otherwise fertilised female moths might fly in from surrounding gardens. Also its cost at about £1 a dose is a significant stumbling block to professionals I have talked to about using it in clients gardens. French company M2I, who make the product, which is distributed in the UK by Fargro*, are keen to reduce the price if they can and last year did see a reduction. They have also looked at improving the dispenser so that it outputs exactly the right dose each time – getting an exact dose isn’t always easy when the weather is warmer as the waxy substance comes out the dispenser quick.

Even with the above issues, I still believe it is worth using because of the reduced need to spray and therefore the reduced pressure on fitting in spraying sessions into a tight garden schedule that is often hampered by the weather. At Chiswick House & Gardens both Alan Titchmarsh and Advolly Richmond, whilst visiting the gardens, have comments on how healthy the box hedges are compared to other properties where they look very eaten or have been removed. 

Limited Time Half Price Product

There is an option to purchase time limited use Box T Pro Press at half price whilst stocks last (it needs to be used as part of the first dose this year due to its immanent used by date). If you are interested in purchasing this time limited use product, please contact Fargro, National Products Manager, Ste Massam by email ste.massam@fargro.co.uk

* Fargro has supplied the product to Chiswick House & Gardens free, however I did recommend its use and subject to budget limitations, the team would buy the product based on its efficacy and ease of use.