Sasha CampbellIf you think you may have a lily leaf beetle infestation, removing these beetles from your plants is crucial.
Those pesky insects love to eat lilies. So, if you’re wondering what’s eating your Asiatic lilies, these little red beetles might be the culprits.
But what exactly are they? Lily leaf beetles (Lilioceris lilii) are small, bright red beetles. They mainly eat the leaves, stems, flowers, and buds of true lilies and fritillaries. Sometimes, they also target other plants like lily of the valley [1].
However, you can take some steps to control them naturally.
Signs of Lily Beetles
You might notice holes in the leaves of your lily plants. Looking closely, you can sometimes see the bright red and shiny beetles crawling around on the plants.
Tiny orange-red eggs might also be visible on the underside of the leaves.
How to Get Rid of Lily Leaf Beetles Naturally
Identifying and removing these red garden beetles as soon as possible is vital to protect your plants from them.
Below are some common home remedies and natural methods that have worked successfully for other gardeners.
1. Neem Oil
Neem oil has been used for centuries and has helped to combat various insects.
When applied directly to your lilies, neem oil’s powerful effect can help protect your plants from lily beetle larvae.
When using neem oil, remember that it is most effective against larvae [2]. Therefore, you may need other preventive techniques besides neem oil to ensure complete protection.
To make a homemade lily beetle spray using neem oil, combine 5 ml of neem oil with 500 ml of water. For best results, apply every 5 to 7 days while the pests are actively feeding on your plants.
2. Spinosad
Another way to naturally get rid of scarlet lily beetles is by using spinosad.
This insecticide paralyzes these beetles. It’s safe for pets, birds, and most beneficial insects like ladybugs and green lacewings.
However, it will harm bees, so exercise caution when using it. Do not use it during the plant’s blooming season.
Keep in mind, too, that spinosad only works when it comes into contact with the beetle. Therefore, you will need to apply it thoroughly to your plants.
Also, the product‘s effectiveness will decrease when exposed to direct sunlight or heat. So, it is best to apply it in the early morning or late afternoon.
3. Parasitic Wasps
These wasps will feed on the larvae of leaf beetles and other pests.
Once introduced into your garden, they search for beetles and lay eggs inside their larvae. The wasp larvae then consume the beetle larva from the inside out, killing it.
4. Clean Up Your Garden in the Fall
Come fall, you can take proactive steps to prevent your lily leaf beetle problem from lingering into the next season.
First, remove all fallen leaves and plant debris. This should be done in the autumn to prevent red lily beetles from overwintering in the soil.
This will help deter these pests and other bugs that eat lilies and keep your garden tidy.
5. Handpicking
Handpicking adult beetles and larvae from plants is another great solution (and it’s environmentally friendly, too!).
After picking the pests off, drop them into hot, soapy water to kill them.
You want to do this as early in the season as possible before the beetle population can build up. You can also pick off eggs from the underside of affected leaves.
6. Predatory Ground Beetles
Attracting predatory ground beetles is another organic control measure for red lily beetles that you could look into.
Provide habitats such as wood piles and leaf litter for ground beetles. They will feed on lily beetle grubs and other pests in your garden.
7. Frogs
Frogs are natural predators of lily leaf beetles and can help reduce their population naturally. They feed on beetle larvae and may also eat adult beetles.
Therefore, provide habitat for these predators by providing rocks, aquatic plants, and logs for shelter. This way, they can stay safe while hunting for pests.
8. Birds
Birds like chickadees and bluebirds also love to snack on leaf beetles.
So, encourage some birds by putting up bird feeders and providing water. Doing so may attract birds from far and wide.
9. Coffee Grounds
Some gardeners have had success repelling red lily beetles with used coffee grounds. They apply the grounds to the base of their lilies, and the pests are deterred.
10. Diatomaceous Earth
This home remedy is widely used in gardens to control pests. The reason is simple—it works!
So, sprinkle some diatomaceous earth at the base of your lily plants and the shoots. The beetles will die soon after crawling through it.
11. Eco-1 Garden Spray
This is also an organic pest control product worth trying. Eco-1 Garden Spray kills on contact.
It is also relatively easy to use. Just mix according to the manufacturer’s label, then spray all areas where the insects are present.
It works great against scarlet lily beetles, broad mites, psyllids, and other pests.
Takeaway
Using natural remedies, you can take steps to prevent, or at least reduce, the damage caused by lily leaf beetles. You can better protect your lilies from these pesky insects with the proper methods.
Add comment