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Lily Beetle
Manderson27
Posts: 14
Hello
Last year I grew some lilies in a pot and found Lily Beetle. I battled all summer, picking them off and squidging them spraying them with various pesticides and other home remedies. Is there anything out there that will kill these stubborn critters? Eventually I gave up and burned everything but I love lilies and want to grow some more but am worried they will be infested again.
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you really need to get the grubs. I know they cover themselves in their own poo, but thin latex gloves help.
With the adults: their defense is to drop to the ground and lie on their backs so they look black. As you go to remove them, put your other hand underneath, so if it does see you coming and drops off, you're ready to catch it.
Like slugs all you can do is check plants, pick off & destroy. Damage limitation!
The grubs emerge from the soil beneath the plants don't they? If I replant in new compost what do I do with the old. Will composting it break the cycle (I'm usually a year ahead with the compost) or do I bung it in the refuse collection?
Once upon a time I had a beautiful clump of Madonna lilies. Now I don't.
This may be helpful http://www.manitobalilies.ca/Life%20Cycle%20of%20the%20Red%20Lily%20Beetle.pdf
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I do keep a close eye on the 'victims' as I put their containers in places where I can easily see them and do something about both the beetles and their progeny. And I don't have to worry about the neighbours as nobody else gardens anyway. I think I'll dispose of the old compost to be on the safer side. I can't think where they appeared from in the first place though. The nearest lilies I know off are across the valley about a km away. If they can fly that far there isn't much hope of stopping them altogether
I give mine one spray with provado ultimate bug killer, when I spot the first beetle. That lasts for six weeks, and then I leave them. Squash all red beetles.
The bug killer will have worn off by the time they flower.
That's what I do Fidget. Don't get too much damage from them as long as I'm vigilant.
That's very useful info Dove .... many thanks.
I keep my oriental lilies in large pots so I can pop into spaces in the garden when needed. I repot them every year and check over for any intruders. I also spray with neem oil solution as the foliage appears and at intervals throughout the year.
Been doing this for a couple of years and so far so good.
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
Thank you for all your responses. Looks like it is going to be a summer of squishing and spraying to limit the damage. As last year was the first time I had them I was late at realising exactly what the problem was. In fact I am embarrassed to say that I thought the pretty red beetle I saw was unrelated to the damage so the damage was very severe by the time I had identified the culprit. Oh well we live and learn. I am prepared to go to battle early this time and hopefully I can save any lilies I grow.