I’ve had ridiculous numbers of red lily beetles last year and again this year. The spring soil was loaded with them. I had to move most of my lilies to pots this year so that I could keep up with the squishing. Blogged it here: http://empressofdirt.blogspot.com/2010/05/good-bye-red-lily-beetles.html
In case it helps anyone else, I found it helpful to dunk the entire plant upsidedown in a bucket of water before potting it. This caused tons of beetles to come off the plants. And you have to get the eggs too.
PS: I read Thrifty a few months ago and loved it. I love the connections between being frugal, what’s best for the earth, and what’s best for one’s own complete health.

What is a lily beetle?

I’ve had great success with my lily plants over the last 4-5 years, but this year, total infestation with these pesky beetles. I spent two weeks in early June squishing them, and finally gave it up as a losing battle. I also feared for my other plants, so I dug mine up and tossed them into the compost heap behind the garage. Lots of people here in Ottawa have been complaining of these pests this year.

Marjorie
First time I have written to you
I like many others, seem to hear your name come up fairly often, in some discussion or other of gardening matters.

Love “the garden” myself and as well getting to be one of those older gals.

As to the lily bug I have managed the past few years to keep them in fairly good control
Did have the experience of them taking over my lily bed a few years back but fortunately we moved. Not because of the lily bug but I was happy to not have to deal with that lily bed
But now from trial and error and watching I have learned more about them
I watch very early in spring, as the Fritilleria , pop out of the ground.
Just squishing daily if I can.
I think that some stage of them overwinters and in my flower beds I actually add bags of leaves in the fall covering all my flower beds inches deep. And do not remove the leaves in spring .

As the lilies come up I keep watch and squish

I think it is important not to have to many lilies close together but spread them throughout your flower beds.

I moved to a house in Barrie three years ago and the gardens are coming along nicely.
Have managed to keep the lilies quite well and even bought two new ones this year. One is called something about Chocolate and the flower looks quite neat.

If anyone is yet reading this lengthy note and wondering why I wrote to you, the reason was that I decided to try something a little different this season in July and August of 2010
It is one thing to keep an eye on each lily plant before and while they are in bloom
The beauty and fragrance of the lily is worth the effort.
But when the bloom is finished I find I don’t have the interest and as well there is much to do with other plants.
What I decided to do, to save time and worry is to cut off the spent flowers, and then strip off all the leaves leaving only the thick large stem to feed the bulb.

My soil is very rich in the garden and the main stem will feed the bulb some, I am sure.

This may not be the correct procedure but it sure does make things simpler.