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Lily beetles

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  • I have not seen any beetles yet or holes in the leaves, but I've sprayed with  Provado because I know that if I miss checking one day I might get a nasty surprise the next day. Little blighters!

  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364

    I am quite sure the little B*****s can easily crawl back over the fence. Guernsey Donkey2.  Will soon see hers marching back.

    It is probably early for the beetle grubs to appear yet as the beetles have to do their mating. It is the grubs that do the real damage. 

    Last edited: 21 April 2017 07:07:59




    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    The only good lily beetle is a  squashed dead lily beetle.  They are not native to this country, there are no local predators except me, and the larvae are quite disgusting. I spent one summer wiping them off with damp kitchen towel, and still my lilies were ruined.

  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364

    I am lily beetle predator as well.




    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    diggingdoris says:

    I have not seen any beetles yet or holes in the leaves, but I've sprayed with  Provado because I know that if I miss checking one day I might get a nasty surprise the next day. Little blighters!

    See original post

    Re Provado, pelase read Guardian article "Garden centres urged to drop bug killer to protect bees" at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/09/garden-centres-urged-to-drop-bug-killer-to-protect-bees 

  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254

    ... continued

    Please read also "Red alert over Monty Don’s lily beetle tip" at http://www.amateurgardening.com/news/red-alert-over-monty-dons-lily-beetle-tip-4206

    Last edited: 21 April 2017 09:04:31

  • Thanks for sharing Papi jo - that is one of the reasons why I don't spray insects - we have hedgehogs in our garden and I don't want to find them dead through spraying. 

    Four days without lily beetles now Iamweedy - that walk I took them on - well it was only about 100 metres away but perhaps they have ended up eating next door's lilies instead of mine!

  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364

    I have just seen this  about the big horticulture companies and the chemicals they use.

    http://www.hortweek.com/garden-retail-fertilisers-chemicals-changing-marketplace/retail/article/1372005




    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • Oh I don't like to think I am killing bees by using Provado, but I do only use it on two pots of lilies, not on anything else in the garden. I hope that as I grow numerous bee loving plants, hopefully they won't settle on my lilies.

  • Bee witchedBee witched Posts: 1,295

    Hi Folks,

    Don't get mad get even!

    The neem oil I recommended earlier in this thread really works.  It is used in making shampoos, toothpaste, soaps, cosmetics, mosquito repellants, creams and lotions, pet products like pet shampoo, etc.

    It is derived by pressing the seed kernels of the neem tree ... totally natural. 

    I am a beekeeper so don't use any chemicals in the garden ....  and I only spray the neem late evening to avoid bees / ladybirds etc.

    Really worth trying.

    Bee 

    image

    Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders  

    A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
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