I have always found the beetles are in pairs, not always in the same pot. If you squish only one, you've missed one.
This year I have sprayed them as they were present before the lilies even emerged. I have 9 pots of lilies and last year I spent more time killing beetles than I did appreciating the lilies. I have taken note of comments about spraying early or late in the day.
Thank you all for your answers. I'll keep an eye on any discussions about the spray, as this sounds like a good solution but I certainly wouldn't want to affect the bees. I guess I need to toughen up and not be squeamish about squishing them!
The problem with Provado is that it is absorbed into the plant (that's how it kills the beetles) and poisons the pollen which is how it poisons the bees, not just when it's sprayed
Squishing is the way to go
And if I were a lily beetle, I'd probably rather be squished than poisoned ......
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I spent one summer squishing red beetles when I saw them,and wiping off the grubs and their black mess. I always managed to miss one, who would strip a plant while I was at work. Last year the lilies got one spray, early on, and they were clear for the season, and my garden was full of bees. I also have lots of bees and butterflies this year. I wouldn't spray at all if the lilies were near to forming flower buds.
Oh dear, I hadn't thought about the bees being affected. It's just that I have a 10 large pots of lilies and I can't be out there all day looking for the blighters. I know from experience that if they are not caught they can strip a lily stem overnight, every leaf, leaving that awful poo. Maybe this year I'll try not to use the spray and just be more vigilant. If only the bees would leave the lilies alone and visit all the other flowers I've got in the garden-sorted!
Its always a tough issue when we try to protect our plants.I remember moving here in 1998 and I was fairly new to gardening.We had a load of bedding plants being delivered by my brother-in-law (French Marigolds,Begonias etc) and he reminded me to put down plenty of slug pellets.I duly did and bitterly regretted it when I saw all the dead and dying slugs/snails the next morning.I've never used slug pellets since and keep the more tender bedding plants for tubs and hanging baskets.Any trespassing snails are now carried to the bottom of the garden under the shrubs where hopefully Song Thrushes and Hedgehogs will munch on them.
A bit off topic sorry lol. Anyway I think what I'm trying to say is that traditional 'pests' are I think the price we pay for bending nature to our will.That's why I still prefer to pick off the lily beetles rather than poison them.As unsightly as we might find them,they are part of nature's grand plan and have evolved to co-exist with lilies as their host plant.Having said that,I can understand how frustrating it must be to have 10 or more pots full of lilies only to have them eaten by these little fellows.I'm lucky in having just the one pot of lilies.Does anyone know of any natural predators for these beetles? (other than birds I suppose).
.Does anyone know of any natural predators for these beetles? (other than birds I suppose).
Not in this country (apart from DovesFromAbove ) - red lily beetle is an invader from overseas. Generally birds won't go for any red insects - it's an evolved warning colour which says "I'm poisonous or taste nasty!"
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
I find they die better when you shout "die you little b***ards" as you jump on them. Not scientific in any way, but it makes me feel better when they've scoffed my fritillaries and it keeps my neighbours on their toes.
Posts
Hi Fishy65.
I have always found the beetles are in pairs, not always in the same pot. If you squish only one, you've missed one.
This year I have sprayed them as they were present before the lilies even emerged. I have 9 pots of lilies and last year I spent more time killing beetles than I did appreciating the lilies. I have taken note of comments about spraying early or late in the day.
The problem with Provado is that it is absorbed into the plant (that's how it kills the beetles) and poisons the pollen which is how it poisons the bees, not just when it's sprayed
Squishing is the way to go
And if I were a lily beetle, I'd probably rather be squished than poisoned ......
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I spent one summer squishing red beetles when I saw them,and wiping off the grubs and their black mess. I always managed to miss one, who would strip a plant while I was at work. Last year the lilies got one spray, early on, and they were clear for the season, and my garden was full of bees. I also have lots of bees and butterflies this year. I wouldn't spray at all if the lilies were near to forming flower buds.
Oh dear, I hadn't thought about the bees being affected. It's just that I have a 10 large pots of lilies and I can't be out there all day looking for the blighters. I know from experience that if they are not caught they can strip a lily stem overnight, every leaf, leaving that awful poo. Maybe this year I'll try not to use the spray and just be more vigilant. If only the bees would leave the lilies alone and visit all the other flowers I've got in the garden-sorted!
Maybe if you plant more very fragrant blooms you will attract more bees away from the lilies and minimise the chemical damage.
I guess I'm just a garden psychopath because I use a rubber glove and a "squashy welly boot" for snails too.
maybe I should re-name myself granny psycho?
Its always a tough issue when we try to protect our plants.I remember moving here in 1998 and I was fairly new to gardening.We had a load of bedding plants being delivered by my brother-in-law (French Marigolds,Begonias etc) and he reminded me to put down plenty of slug pellets.I duly did and bitterly regretted it when I saw all the dead and dying slugs/snails the next morning.I've never used slug pellets since and keep the more tender bedding plants for tubs and hanging baskets.Any trespassing snails are now carried to the bottom of the garden under the shrubs where hopefully Song Thrushes and Hedgehogs will munch on them.
A bit off topic sorry lol. Anyway I think what I'm trying to say is that traditional 'pests' are I think the price we pay for bending nature to our will.That's why I still prefer to pick off the lily beetles rather than poison them.As unsightly as we might find them,they are part of nature's grand plan and have evolved to co-exist with lilies as their host plant.Having said that,I can understand how frustrating it must be to have 10 or more pots full of lilies only to have them eaten by these little fellows.I'm lucky in having just the one pot of lilies.Does anyone know of any natural predators for these beetles? (other than birds I suppose).
Me
Another one bites the dust!!!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Not in this country (apart from DovesFromAbove
) - red lily beetle is an invader from overseas. Generally birds won't go for any red insects - it's an evolved warning colour which says "I'm poisonous or taste nasty!"
I find they die better when you shout "die you little b***ards" as you jump on them. Not scientific in any way, but it makes me feel better when they've scoffed my fritillaries and it keeps my neighbours on their toes.