I have three Lilies in pots. I was unaware of what a lily beetle was and didn't think anything of the many pretty red beetles on my plants... until the leaves disappeared and I figured it out. Anyway, it was too late by then. They'd done their dirty work. I have flicked off loads of larvae but they are disgusting and slimy and I have to give up after a while because it's just so gross. Anyway... I'm not sure what to do now. The flowers (the ones that weren't damaged by beetles) have opened and are fading. There are no leaves on any of the plants anyway. What do I do with the plants now? Do I cut the stems back? I know that bulbs need the leaves to feed the bulbs for next year, but I have no leaves. Is there any point in trying to save these plants or should I just bin them and start afresh, getting rid of the soil too in case there's eggs in it, keeping a better eye out for lily beetles in future now that I know what they can do!

Any suggestions would be welcome.