How can I kill or remove insects from cut flowers that I bring inside?

Question

When I cut flowers (typically daylilies) from my garden and bring them inside, I often find I am treated to a barrage of flies over the next few days. I'm going to guess that there are maggot larvae within the flowers, which matures inside my home.

I'd also like to bring in my peonies, but they are covered in ants. If a different technique is applicable for them, I'd like to know.

I love the idea of bringing my garden inside, but not at the expense of harboring an indoor insect colony. Is there a way to kill the insects/larvae (with or preferably without chemicals?)

Answer 1

Inspect your flowers before bringing them inside; if you see insects on them, give them a gentle shake or dislodge the critters by hand with something like a small, soft paintbrush. Another option is to cut the flowers in the early morning and let them sit in a bucket of water outside in the shade for a few hours before bringing them inside; the insects will often leave on their own. I've been bringing cut flowers in for years and find this usually works just fine. I wouldn't go to the effort of killing insects that are there naturally.

Answer 2

1. chemically, you may use a spray containing malathion @ 1% with a sticker-spreader. it is a relatively safe pesticide.
2. organically, neem (azadiracta ) emulsion @ 2% you may use with a sticker-spreader.

both are safe on flowers. spray during a mild weather when the plant is not under any stress.

Answer 3

This year for the first time I brought in peony buds before they opened.They were about the size of a golf ball and had some of the pink color showing. No ants and they opened beautifully.