Pest identification
What's eating my lilium 'dizzy'?
Lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii)
Signs: Adults and their grub-covered larvae skeletonize leaves and devour buds, leaving plants stripped bare.
Control: Hand-pick adults and larvae daily — check undersides of leaves. Spinosad or pyrethrin sprays for heavy infestations. Neem oil as a deterrent.
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on stems and buds cause distorted, sticky growth and can transmit lily mosaic virus.
Control: Blast off with a strong jet of water. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage ladybirds and lacewings.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes eaten through emerging shoots and young leaves, mainly in damp conditions.
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets around the base; use copper tape on containers; go out at night to hand-pick.
Deer
Signs: Whole stems and flower buds browsed off at night, leaving clean-cut stubs.
Control: Use deer-repellent sprays (garlic/egg-based) or physical fencing; plant with deer-deterrent neighbours such as lavender.
Keep lilium 'dizzy' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Lilium 'Dizzy' pests — FAQ
What is eating my lilium 'dizzy'?
Lily beetles are the number-one threat to Lilium 'Dizzy' in both the US and UK, stripping foliage to bare stems. Aphids cluster on buds and new growth, while slugs attack emerging shoots in spring. Deer and rabbits will browse whole stems if left unprotected.
How do I get rid of lily beetle (lilioceris lilii) on lilium 'dizzy'?
Adults and their grub-covered larvae skeletonize leaves and devour buds, leaving plants stripped bare. Hand-pick adults and larvae daily — check undersides of leaves. Spinosad or pyrethrin sprays for heavy infestations. Neem oil as a deterrent.
How do I get rid of aphids on lilium 'dizzy'?
Dense colonies on stems and buds cause distorted, sticky growth and can transmit lily mosaic virus. Blast off with a strong jet of water. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage ladybirds and lacewings.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on lilium 'dizzy'?
Ragged holes eaten through emerging shoots and young leaves, mainly in damp conditions. Apply iron phosphate pellets around the base; use copper tape on containers; go out at night to hand-pick.
How do I get rid of deer on lilium 'dizzy'?
Whole stems and flower buds browsed off at night, leaving clean-cut stubs. Use deer-repellent sprays (garlic/egg-based) or physical fencing; plant with deer-deterrent neighbours such as lavender.