You can use string interpolation:
$db.execute %{DELETE FROM templates WHERE id = #{deleteid}}
$db.execute %Q{DELETE FROM templates WHERE id = #{deleteid}}
UPDATE
User can pass arbitrary string. Using deleteid directly can be dangerous. As @muistooshort commented, you should escape the deleteid.
Consult your db driver's documentation for methods that accepts parameter and escape the parameter (or prepare method).
For example, if you use sqlite3-ruby, you can use Database#query, which will escape for you.
$db.prepare(%q{DELETE FROM templates WHERE id = ?}, [deleteid])
in pg, use Connection#exec_params:
$db.exec_params(%q{DELETE FROM templates WHERE id = $1}, [deleteid])
$db? Just throwing unescaped values into SQL is criminally irresponsible.