Wondering How to Get Rid of Aphids on Roses? Learn the Most Effective Solutions to make your rose bushes pest-free in no time.
Aphids are the most unpleasant concern for gardeners as these pests suck out the sap from the plant tissues, which stunts their growth. If you are worried about their infestation on your favorite rose bushes, check out the Most Effective Solutions on How to Get Rid of Aphids on Roses!
Discover the Most Powerful Ways to Kill Aphids here
How to Get Rid of Aphids on Roses?
1. Use Wood Ash
Wood ash dehydrates and suffocates aphids, thus barring them away. Sprinkle directly on the affected areas to get rid of aphids on roses.
Find out some Helpful Wood Ash Uses in the Garden here
2. Invite Beneficial Insects to the Garden
Invite beneficial insects such as lacewings, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps to the garden by growing herbs such as coriander, dill, and fennel. These helpful insects will feed on the aphids, keeping your roses pest free and thriving.
3. Spray Organic Neem Oil Solution
According to studies, neem-based biopesticides are highly effective in suppressing aphids. Mix 1 teaspoon organic neem oil and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon mild liquid soap thoroughly in one or two liters of water. Transfer the solution to a spray bottle and give the aphid-affected areas a good shower.
Repeat the process every 10 days for a pest-free rose garden.
Learn about the Organic Neem Oil Uses in the Garden here
4. Sprinkle Baking Soda
Baking soda eliminates aphids pretty effectively. Sprinkle the powder on the affected areas directly for instant results.
Alternatively, mix a teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil into a liter of mildly warm water. Shake well and spray on the pests and enjoy a pest-free rose garden.
Check out the Baking Soda Uses in the Garden here
5. Wipe Away Aphids with Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol acts as a solvent and bars off the protective shell of the insects, thus dehydrating them. Dip a cotton pad in rubbing alcohol and swap the shoots and foliage to remove the sooty molds, larvae eggs, and adult aphids.
Learn about the Rubbing Alcohol Uses in the Garden here
6. Use Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Aphids Instantly
Research has proven the efficacy of diatomaceous earth as a natural insecticide. The particles leave the cuticle permeable to water, rapidly desiccating the cell membranes and killing the pests.
Sprinkle the powder directly on the affected areas for instant removal of aphids. Clean them later using a soft cotton cloth or garden gloves. Do NOT forget to put on gloves before dealing with DE.
Learn How to Use DE in Your Garden here
7. Use Insecticidal Soap for a Pest-Free Rose Bush
Spraying the infected rose bushes with insecticidal soap solution is a potent way of removing aphids, mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites.
This removes the protective waxy layer of the pests, thus dehydrating them. Learn to make this organic insecticide at home here.
8. Hand Pick the Aphids
Use a pair of garden gloves to clean the aphid infestation manually. Although identifying these minute bodies with bare eyes can be a task, you may inspect the undersides of the discolored rose leaves, buds, or stems.
Transfer them to a bowl of liquid soap, or simply use your hands to squish these soft-body pests.
9. Dust Infested Shoots with Flour
One of the easiest solutions on the list—dust the infested shoots with a cup of flour from your pantry. Sprinkle the flour targeting the infested areas. The pests will ingest the powder, be left constipated, and die.
Alternatively, you can spray the undersides of the leaves with a mixture of flour and water in the early morning; as the day sets, the sun’s rays will dry out the mixture, shriveling the pests to death.
Swap the shoots clean with a cotton pad soaked in diluted dishwasher liquid.
10. Use Detergent Spray to Fight Aphids
Detergent or dish soap is scientifically proven as a potent non-toxic remedy to fight aphids on rose plants. Mix 1/4 to 1/2 tablespoon of mild liquid detergent to a liter of lukewarm water; you may also need to add 1 teaspoon of neem oil or any vegetable oil to make the solution more effective.
Mix well and spray on the affected rose parts. The soapy solution will desiccate the aphids, hence barring them away.
Wondering How to Use Detergent in Garden? Click here
11. Snip Away the Affected Shoots and Leaves
Snipping away the affected stems can be an instant solution to the problem. However, you may need to use other remedies in case of increased infestation.
12. Use Water Hose
Using a water hose to knock down these pests is an effective technique, especially for rose bushes, as the sturdy shoots remain unaffected, but the water force removes the soft body critters.
You may need to repeat the process 2-3 times a week for visible results.
13. Grow Aphid Repelling Plants
Plants such as garlic, chives, catnip, and leeks repel aphids as these pesky pests cannot stand their strong smell and prefer to stay away. Grow them near your rose bushes and enjoy healthy and pretty blooms.
Discover the Best Aphid Repelling Plants here
14. Go for Inorganic Solutions
It is best to use organic methods to get rid of aphids; however, in case of acute aphid infestation, try pesticides formulated with Imidacloprid, Lambda-Cyhalothrin, Deltamethrin, Diazinon, and Daconil.
Also, look for sprays to get rid of aphids that contain bifenthrin, malathion, permethrin, cyfluthrin, or pyrethrin. These are broad-spectrum chemicals and keep the rose bushes pest-free for a longer time. Do refer to the label for the correct dosage to avoid adverse reactions.
Black Spots on Roses? Get the Best Remedies here
15. Use Essential Oil Blends
A blend of black pepper, eucalyptus, rosemary, and tea tree essential oils is highly effective against the aphid colony, as backed by science.
Learn how to make a potent essential oil pest killer spray here!
