This year, my lilies seem to be fated - nibbled by lily beetles during the day, and munched by slugs and snails whilst its raining, and overnight. Some pot-fulls are being attacked for the 1st time, despite being several years old!
This is the worst damage my lilies have ever suffered.
When I find either types of pest, I get great satisfaction from lifting it from the 'victim', then quickly crushing underfoot.
Thanks Marinelilium for the tips about garlic, mint & lavender. I'll try them out.
I too love lilies... keeping an eagle eye is a must..simular to Tim Burr..I use an old jam jar to knock them into & close the lid...in the jar is small amount vinegar & salt...with bit of water.. placing the jar outside & leaving it until I need it again..eventually throwing it away..
Used to make me angry when they dropped off & I missed them.. I dont anymore...
One of the most useful items when trying to catch lit beetles, is an old tea strainer. Preferably not the one you use for your Earl Grey - but one that is no longer used in the kitchen. You can knock the red terrors into it, put your hand over the top and carry the beastie to a hard surface where you can jump on him howling with glee - the last part is optional, but my neighbours are used to this, and know I am rather odd anyway so ignore my howls in lily beetle season. (come to that, at any other time as well ..... .) Seriously, a strainer really does help catch the beetles, and is easily popped into your pocket or tool bag as you go about the garden.
Lat year we were away for most of May so I did that which I don't normally do, and doused the potted lilies with Provado ultimate bug killer. This was sad as I have been non-chemical in the garden for years, but was not happy to come back to around a hundred or more dirty black sticks. I must say it worked very well indeed, nothing else got touched, and I can see it happening again. The trouble is there is nothing that will recognise these beetles as prey, as they are not native to the UK, but another aggravating import. Red means means danger to most insectivores so they are not likely to try it and see if it is delicious or not.
I grow my lilies in pots, and submerge the pots weekly in a rain barrel for 30 mins, and scoop off the beetles with a jar. I leave the lidded jar in the sun till they die. This is an easy method and I have very few catches since ai have been doing it this way. And my lilies love the soak.
I've just found some lily beetles on my lilies which were coming on very well. I managed to pick off a few but as mentioned I found that they do manage to escape! I am going to try to check them at least once a day. I will try to catch them with my other hand as suggested. BettyC
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Afraid not. We only had two nice days here too.
So there's been no sign of beetles since then.
But the weather will improve, and they'll be back.
This is the worst damage my lilies have ever suffered.
When I find either types of pest, I get great satisfaction from lifting it from the 'victim', then quickly crushing underfoot.
Thanks Marinelilium for the tips about garlic, mint & lavender. I'll try them out.
Used to make me angry when they dropped off & I missed them.. I dont anymore...
All these suggestions and methods are good , I dont feel guilty at all either . They have killed my plants and I kill them!
I havent invited them to my garden so they get the tresspasers treatment ! did you know they fly too ?
Lat year we were away for most of May so I did that which I don't normally do, and doused the potted lilies with Provado ultimate bug killer. This was sad as I have been non-chemical in the garden for years, but was not happy to come back to around a hundred or more dirty black sticks. I must say it worked very well indeed, nothing else got touched, and I can see it happening again. The trouble is there is nothing that will recognise these beetles as prey, as they are not native to the UK, but another aggravating import. Red means means danger to most insectivores so they are not likely to try it and see if it is delicious or not.
A good blast with bug spray does seem to work - I am never quick enough to catch them before disappear onto the ground!