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Lily beetles

helen.ofyorkhelen.ofyork Posts: 1
in The potting shed
Prior to planting lilies in our garden we never saw any, why do they suddenly appear? Do they come on/in the bulbs?
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Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    They had nothing to eat previously 😉 at least they're easy to spot...makes for a whack a mole game in the garden. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Got my first one yesterday, it fell on the soil, not easy to spot as they fall on their backs and play dead, but I was as determined as he was. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    They do over winter in between the scales of the bulbs.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    I found one, it fell to the ground. I just had to wait until he started climbing again. Where there’s one there’s more and they might have disgusting babies.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    The well -prepared ( not me. I suspect it should be I but that's another thread😊) have some white paper handy for them to call in If they drop.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • D0rdogne_DamselD0rdogne_Damsel Posts: 4,184
    I have a jam jar of soapy water next to the lilys,  put jar underneath the leaf they're on, little tap and they're in the jar - and can't get out because of the soap film. For good measure, I stir it up like a whirlpool. 
    It doesn't even need to be clean or warm soapy water, I leave it there all the time. 😅😱
    • “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
  • AaronBilAaronBil Posts: 100
    Good shout, genuinely have no idea how they find them as the turn up well before flowers open. Managed to catch a couple pairs mating last year...dispatched.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    My clump of Tiger-Lilies will be lucky to survive this years apparent onslaught by these critters ; took 14 (!) off the three stemmed group last Sunday !!
    Total warfare has been declared .
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    I’m afraid I squish them with a trowel, a quick death at least. I like that they are easy to spot.
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    Despatched one a few weeks ago - was surprised to see it so early.  Cursory glances have not revealed any more but after reading all your comments will be more vigilant.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
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