LILY BULBS

The bulbs shouldn't be affected - the beetles overwinter in soil.

Re-plant your bulbs as quickly as you possibly can - unlike, say, daffodils they will be damaged if they dry out at all.

Alina W,  Any idea how deep in the soil the wretched things are during the winter? Could I just replace the top 2 inches of soil in my large lily pots? At what time of year do you reckon the beetles start being active?

They vary according to the cold, artjak - the colder it is, the deeper they go. Also, they can and do fly, so even if you change the soil they will still fly in.

When they become active - I've seen them as early as March.

If you're not adverse to using chemicals, then a routine drenching the compost with Provado & repeated at intervals throghout the season should help keep the beetles away. Trouble is I always forget to repeat the applications, so they still struck!

I now dont try growing lilies at all, but do have Fritillaries which they also like. I dont use any chemicals on those, as in the open borders, just pick off/squash as many beetles as I spot. J.

Thanks everone.  I shall plant them tomorrow

I went and got the provado, ready for next season; I'm fed up with squashing beetles!