Insect control of roses

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INSECT CONTROL

Malathion, Diazinon, Cygon and Cystox can all be used on roses to control insect problems. Derris or Rotenone powder are also effective, and somewhat more of an organic method than chemicals, if you prefer this. I find it very ironic that some gardeners are ruthlessly against any type of chemical control, EXCEPT when their prize rose is under attack! Use all according to directions on the package. Safers Insecticidal Soap is an effective non-chemical control as well. Check our feature articles section for the recipes page to learn how to make your own insect sprays and drenches.

The most common insects found on roses in our climate is aphids and spider mites. Spider mites can usually be sprayed of with a good dousing from the garden hose on a regular basis. They are quite hard to detect, unless they are already well-established. They will suck the energy right out of your rose in a hurry, so watch for webbing occurring between leaves and stems, as well as miniscule insects either red, brown or white appearing under leaves. They prefer hot dry weather and will multiply rapidly under these conditions. We use rotenone or Insecticidal soap for control.

Aphids are just as much of a problem as Spider Mites, and sometimes harder to get rid of, although they are much easier to spot. Watch for black or green sucking insects at the newest growth, and covering new buds. They also congregate under leaves where it is cooler. They like conditions opposite of Spider Mites, preferring shady, cool weather. They also reproduce in huge numbers very quickly. We can almost guarantee an outbreak in the roses when we have a spell of dreary weather. In our area, the last few years have been particularly bad for aphids, and there is evidence they are becoming resistant to the more common types of sprays, a result of chemical overuse, no doubt. The Brooks Research and Crop Development Specialists have recommended using Sevin as a control, alternately with other less common sprays such as Ambush, particularly where black aphids are present. Don't kid your self - aphids in big enough numbers will KILL an otherwise healthy tree or shrub in no time, by sucking the moisture out. We have lost many poplar seedlings at the 4 to 6 foot height in their growth because of black aphids which we did not spot in time. There is a well known myth that ants damage plants, but in fact they do not. What happens is that they herd the aphids, who damage the plants. If you notice ants crawling around your plants, look for aphids as well.

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