Gardeners fall into two catagories,Organic ( wouldnt use artificial products ) and those who use insecticides.
While I love my garden it isnt the all consuming center of my life ,maybe 60 %. There are too many lilies here to hand pick the red devils.
I use pesticides because its easier and does a better more thorough job.
I have nothing against anyone hand picking the red beetles off the plants or squeezing the larvae with its excrement on its back, between their fingers. Ugggg. I cant wait for the wasp to migrate here and save me the trouble of hauling the sprayer around.
I just use a pesticide twice a year and the beetles are pretty much controlled.
I have had great luck with Sevin and Bayer 12 month Tree and Shrub spray.
In early spring when the lilies are just poking above the soil, I spray the tops and around the ground where they are emerging. I have been told the larvae are living near the emerging stems and both pesticides will kill them.
I also spray in mid season. The beetle has a two phase life cycle and lay new eggs about the time the Asiatic lilies are blooming.
This is better than a weekly beetle check and killing. There are 500 lily stems in any season here.It would not leave me time for any other duties.
I dont do a second spray mid summer unless I see the beetles or new signs of activity
