I've just found Rosemary beetle all over my lavenders - what do I do?

[knickerelasticjones]

I've never seen Rosemary beetle before (didn't know they got as far north as Scotland) but I've just found them on my lavender - lots of them too.

They are very pretty, but I really want to get rid of them as they have pretty much killed one bush already and I have a large row of lavenders in the front garden which I really don't want to lose. Anybody know the best way to get rid of them?

... oh and I know from a biodiversity point of view its really appalling to think of getting rid of the beetles, but on the other hand I have oodles of ladybirds on my allotment, partly because I have let some areas get quite overgrown so they have lots of lovely undisturbed areas to do their things in. So I think that compensates - I hope.

any help much appreciated!

[MadBadandDangerousToKnow]

Top tips from the Royal Horticultural Society here. Your options range from picking them off and squishing them to zapping them with insecticides, but you have to be ruthless.

[TheProvincialLady]

Rosemary Beetle sounds like a woman who works in a crystals and silk scarves shop

Sorry, as you were.

[EssieW]

I had this on my sage. Squashed them basically. Sage has recovered...

[frogs]

Bribe your dc to pull them off and squash them. Kids enjoy this, ime. Then check yourself, they particularly like to hide in the forks of branches, so be meticulous. If you keep this up on a regular basis your plants will be okay.

I don't think there's a biodiversity issue -- they're mediterranean imposters not a native species.

[knickerelasticjones]

Excellent - I shall pick them off with impunity.

Actually both my DDs and a couple of their friends from down the road really like bugs so I might get them to do it for me. The good thing about the beetles is they look really pretty so the kids really want to find them.

I just have to persuade the DDs not to keep them as pets......