Invasive Box Tree Moth Leads to Quarantine on Boxwood Shrubs

Hamilton County and five neighboring counties currently are under quarantine to prevent the spread of the invasive box tree moth.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture issued the quarantine this month to restrict the movement of boxwood shrubs out of the area. The box tree moths were detected almost a year ago near the border of Hamilton and Clermont counties and have been confirmed in Hamilton, Clermont, Butler, Greene, Montgomery and Warren counties.

Box tree moths threaten ornamental boxwood plantings. The public is asked to report sightings through the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s reporting tool. It, and other information, may be found at https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/invasive-insects/btm.