aphids on Rose
Quick answer
If your Rose has aphids, the most likely cause is: Soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that cluster on tender new growth and developing buds, especially in spring. They excrete sticky honeydew which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold. They reproduce rapidly in mild weather.
Start here:
- 1. Blast off with a strong stream of water from the hose (repeat every 2-3 days)
- 2. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil directly to the clusters, ensuring contact
Why Rose gets aphids
Rosa spp.
Soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that cluster on tender new growth and developing buds, especially in spring. They excrete sticky honeydew which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold. They reproduce rapidly in mild weather.
How to reverse aphids on Rose
- 1
Blast off with a strong stream of water from the hose (repeat every 2-3 days)
- 2
Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil directly to the clusters, ensuring contact
- 3
If ants are farming them, use ant baits at the base of the plant
- 4
Introduce natural predators like ladybugs or lacewings
Keep aphids off this Rose
Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which creates the lush, sappy growth aphids prefer. Encourage beneficial insects by planting alyssum or yarrow nearby.