Folk living in homes in a city suburb have been devastated to watch the destruction of well-kept hedges.

The cottages in Church Street, Old Catton date back to the 1800s and are all decorated with box hedges in geometric designs in the front gardens.  

However, over the last year homeowners have struggled to get an unruly pest under control and now many are watching their hedges succumb to the destructive little critters.  

Box hedge moths are aptly named as they travel around looking for fresh well-kept box hedges to feast on and they usually don’t give up until the plant is utterly destroyed.  

Norwich Evening News: The Old Catton cottages were built in the 1800's and were well-known for the geometric box hedge outside them The Old Catton cottages were built in the 1800's and were well-known for the geometric box hedge outside them (Image: Submitted)

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A man living in one of the cottages said: “This is tragic, my cottage dates back to 1850 and now the hedges are being ravaged by the box moth.  

“Some people have given up the fight and dug their hedges up.” 

The moths make their homes in Buxus plants which is very often used for topiary.  

Norwich Evening News: Box Hedge Moth originally comes from Asia Box Hedge Moth originally comes from Asia (Image: Submitted)

Though the invasive species has only been in Britain since around 2007 having made their way over from Asia, they have quickly become prevalent as they sweep their way through the UK destroying people's plants.  

They cause the most damage between the months of March and October, but warmer weather means they are currently showing no sign of slowing down.  

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Norwich Evening News: Pest controllers say that it isn't worth the battle Pest controllers say that it isn't worth the battle (Image: Submitted)

Andrew Dellbridge, a city pest controller, didn’t have good news for those facing the plague of moths.  

He said: “Sadly the only way forward is to dig up the box plants and replant with an alternative.  

“There is loads of advice out there for what you can and can’t do, but save yourself time, effort and money – this is a battle that can’t be won.  

“The range of the moth is moving more and more north each year due to global warming.” 

Norwich Evening News: City pest controller Andrew Dellbridge says that it is a battle that cannot be won City pest controller Andrew Dellbridge says that it is a battle that cannot be won (Image: Ace Pest Control)