Cecil County Added to Quarantine Due to Box Tree Moth Infestation

Cecil County has been added to the list of quarantined areas by the Maryland Department of Agriculture due to an infestation of box tree moths. The invasive species, native to east Asia, was first spotted in the US in 2021 and has rapidly spread across the eastern seaboard, including Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Homeowners with boxwoods are advised to be vigilant in spotting the caterpillars, which are lime green with thin black stripes and can grow up to 1.5 inches long. Adult moths have white wings with a brown border and are generally active at night.

Pest control expert Rick McDaniels suggests that homeowners pick off the caterpillars from their bushes when they're small, put them in soapy water, and monitor their boxwoods afterwards to prevent another infestation. The box tree moth lays eggs on the underside of leaves, making them hard to spot.

The quarantine is directed at growers and shippers who need a certification of inspection and a signed compliance agreement to move boxwoods into or out of quarantined counties. Homeowners can prune out infested branches and remove the shrub completely if necessary, but this may cost up to $100 per tree.