On 29 Mar 2011 12:01:15 GMT, wrote:

Jake Nospam@invalid wrote:
Lily beetle this early. Where's the torch? I'm off out to the garden
now! They should at least give the lilies a chance to grow more than
an inch tall! If it wasn't for the pesky red devils (in quantity) an
the consequent reliance on Provado I think I'd qualify as "organic".

I didn't think there was anything that killed the buggers.
Same with asparagus beetle. :-(

Provado Ultimate Bug Killer does for them if they arrive "in quantity"
but this early, it's usually just a couple (usually in copulating
mode) and my spring approach is to let my right thumb nail grow a bit
longer, just right for nipping them in half against the right index
finger. Though it's always an idea to put a sheet of white paper under
them before attacking in case they fall off - they usually land
(black) bottom up and are difficult to find on soil.

Provado's systemic so a spraying will last for a while. Downside is
that it also kills beneficial insects so spray in the evening when
they've gone to bed - don't use it as a "contact insecticide".

Toby Buckland also says that mineral soap sprays do the trick. One
product called "SB Plant Invigorator" is supposedly worth trying (QVC
are also selling it under the "Flower Power" brand) and I've got some
to try. Seems this was developed as a plant food but some bright spark
discovered it was pretty effective against blackfly and other nasties.

Jake