Tag Archives: 17972

Lily beetles

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This question was asked by
– Linda Swales – 

I bought some large lily bulbs from you a couple of years ago at Harrogate flower show. They are fantastic!
Can you tell me how to control Lily Beetles, I must have “removed” over 30 of them this year. I have also the black eggs covered in their excrement.
Regards
Mrs Swales

Good afternoon,

Thank you so much for getting in touch — we’re delighted to hear your lilies from Harrogate are still going strong and looking fantastic!

Lily beetles are unfortunately a persistent nuisance for lily growers, and it sounds like you’ve done a great job already spotting and removing both the beetles and their rather unpleasant-looking larvae.

Here are our top tips for keeping them under control:

1. Early Prevention:
Start checking your lilies regularly from early spring as soon as growth appears — the earlier you catch the beetles, the better. Daily checks are ideal, especially in warm weather.

2. Physical Removal:
As you’ve already been doing, hand-picking the bright red adults and squashing or disposing of them is effective. Keep an eye on the undersides of leaves for the orangey-red eggs and remove those too.

3. Neem Oil Spray:
Neem oil is a natural, organic deterrent that interferes with the beetle’s feeding and breeding cycle. Spray it onto the foliage, paying special attention to leaf undersides. This can be especially helpful if your lilies are already blooming and you want to avoid chemicals.

4. Lily Beetle Prevention Spray:
We also recommend using a dedicated lily beetle prevention spray early in the season, ideally when the first shoots appear. Spraying early allows the solution to be absorbed into the plant, making the foliage taste bitter to beetles. Lily Beetle Prevention Spray (SKU17972)

5. Clean-Up After Flowering:
Once your lilies have finished blooming, remove any dead foliage and debris from around the base of the plant. This reduces overwintering spots for beetles and larvae.

Despite their best efforts, many gardeners have to repeat treatments every year — but with your vigilance, your lilies should continue to thrive!

The Hart Family

Reusing lily bulbs that suffered badly with red lily beetle last year

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This question was asked by
– Dawn L

Pots were left to winter outside as they were infested with red lily beetle. Can I still take the bulbs out wash and air dry in greenhouse to reuse this year? Many thanks.

Yes, you can likely reuse the lily bulbs if they were only infested with red lily beetles and not other issues. First, thoroughly clean the bulbs by removing any visible debris and washing them gently under water. Then, allow them to air dry in a greenhouse or other protected, warm environment. Once dry, you can plant them as usual.

Tips for Preventing Future Infestations:

    • Inspect lilies early for red lily beetle larvae and adults during the growing season.

Reusing your bulbs after a beetle infestation is possible as long as you take these steps to ensure they’re clean and healthy. Hopefully, this will help you enjoy a beautiful lily display again this year!

Lily Beetle Black mess

Damaged caused by Red Lily beetle

Red Scarlet lily Beetle on Plant. Lilioceris lilii

Lily Beetle Prevention Spray

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This question was asked by
– Allan W

Hi – I’ve been looking around the local garden centres for something to kill off the red beetles that are starting to appear on my lilies, but cant find anything. Some experts say just squash them, but the little blighters crawl into the stem where you cant get at them. Clearly my computer’s cookies has identified what I’m looking for and up pops your details and two products that you have. Am I correct in that they are both preventative and I may be too late or is one better for this stage and would prevent further infestation.
Many thanks Allan Watson

Hi Allan,
Yes we have the The Grazers Spray and the Concentrate for you to make up yourself. They are both a repellent and not an insecticide/pesticide. Therefore, it won’t kill the beetles. You will need to remove all visible beetles and their babies beforehand and then start spraying. You will find the babies in either a black mess under the leaves or as a row of little tiny red dots.

Once you have removed all sight of the beetles, then you can start spraying ensuring to spray under the leaves as well. The spray makes the foliage taste bitter so the lily beetles won’t like the taste. I would advise spraying your lilies once a week and spray again if it rains. Hope this helps.

You get more for your money buying the concentrate as it will last a lot longer.

Lily Beetle Prevention Concentrate (SKU179721)
Lily Beetle Prevention Spray (SKU17972)

The Hart Family

What compost or mix of composts do I use for the lilies?

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This question was asked by
– Elizabeth B

I have just ordered some Oriental lily bulbs from you to grow in large clay pots. What is the best compost to use? Do I need to add sand as some sites advise? How do I prevent the dreaded Lily Beetle?? I can start them in a cold greenhouse.

Hi there,
You can mix John Innes No.3 with a good quality Multi-purpose compost (50:50 mix). Adding horticultural grit for drainage is recommended.

We have a Grazers G4 spray or concentrate you can purchase for the lily beetle.

Lily Beetle Prevention Concentrate (SKU179721)

Lily Beetle Prevention Spray (SKU17972)

Lily bulbs

The Hart Family

Red Lily Beetle

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This question was asked by
– Pearl T

Is there a way to prevent lily beetles, I pick them off but they are devastating them?

Hi Pearl

Lily Beetles are such a pain aren’t they? To get rid of them, you could try making a garlic solution (crushed garlic and water) or purchasing our lily beetle prevention spray.

Lily Beetle Prevention Spray (SKU17972)

The Hart Family

Collections

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This question was asked by
– C. Kemp

How can I eradicate Lilly Beatle and eggs from my Lilly plant that I bought last summer. I would like to buy more of these beautiful plants.
I need to be sure how to control and deter them from my garden before I buy more.
Thanks

Have you tried the eco-friendly lily beetle prevention spray? You will need to be vigilant and keep spraying them and spray again if it rains.
This spray is a prevention so you will need to get rid of any you see beforehand.

Lily Beetle Prevention (SKU17972)

The Hart Family

Lily beetle

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This question was asked by
– Avril Collins

Do you have any advice as to varieties of lily suitable for planting in a pot, preferably with scent, that resist lily beetle? many thanks

Any of the Oriental dwarf lilies are great for pots as they are shorter varieties. However, any lily variety can be planted in a pot. If you want them to be scented, then avoid the Asiatics as they don’t carry a fragrance. I’d suggest Lily Salmon Star, this is a stunning pot lily with a pretty scent. Unfortunately, Lily beetles are attracted to most lilies. They aren’t picky! Have you seen our Lily Beetle Prevention spray?

Lily ‘Salmon Star’ (harts1106)

Lily Beetle Prevention (SKU17972)

Pot Lilies

The Hart Family

Lily beetle

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This question was asked by
– christine gilbert

what is your best lily beetle insecticide

We currently recommend using Grazers G4 Lily Beetle Prevention. It’s all natural and and eco-friendly.

Lily Beetle Prevention (SKU17972)

The Hart Family