Can I use household soap to kill pests?

Do not use regular dish soap as it can damage the leaves. Use a dedicated insecticidal soap designed for garden use.

How often should I check for pests?

Inspect your boxwood every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season. Early detection makes treatment much easier.

Littleleaf boxwood: pests, causes and fixes

Check these first

Look closely at the undersides of the leaves with a magnifying glass.
Check for fine webbing between the branches.
Inspect the leaves for small bumps or blisters.

Likely causes

Boxwood leafminer
Most likely
How to tell: You will see small blisters or bumps on the undersides of the leaves. These are caused by larvae feeding inside the leaf tissue.
What to do: Prune away heavily infested branches in early spring before the adults emerge. You can also apply a systemic insecticide labeled for boxwoods in late spring.
Spider mites
Possible
How to tell: The leaves look stippled or speckled with tiny yellow dots and you might see fine webbing. These pests thrive in hot, dry conditions.
What to do: Spray the foliage thoroughly with a strong stream of water to dislodge the mites. If the infestation is severe, use an insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your littleleaf boxwood

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Small numbers of pests are usually manageable. Worry if you see significant defoliation or if the plant looks weak and stunted.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant healthy with proper watering and prune to allow good airflow through the center of the shrub.

Littleleaf boxwood: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your littleleaf boxwood and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I use household soap to kill pests?: Do not use regular dish soap as it can damage the leaves. Use a dedicated insecticidal soap designed for garden use.
How often should I check for pests?: Inspect your boxwood every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season. Early detection makes treatment much easier.

How do I identify pests on my Japanese Boxwood?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your littleleaf boxwood?

Likely causes

Boxwood leafminer

Spider mites

Find out what's wrong with your littleleaf boxwood

When to worry

Stopping it coming back

Littleleaf boxwood: pests? Check yours with a photo

Questions people ask

Guides to these causes

More problems with Littleleaf boxwood