Roses are one of the most popular garden plants, grown for their romantic blooms and delightful fragrance. These beloved plants can be prone to a number of pests, particularly aphids, which are attracted to roses for the sweet sap that’s found inside the leaves, stems, and buds.

Aphid populations can multiply quickly, infesting plants in a short amount of time. A major aphid infestation can cause serious damage to plant tissue, weakening or even killing plants. Here’s how to identify and control aphids on roses.

WHAT ARE APHIDS?

Aphids are a common garden pest that feed on plant sap. They cause damage to a wide variety of plants, including roses. Adult insects are 1/16-inch to 1/4-inch long, with oval-shaped bodies. These soft-bodied insects are usually found in clusters.

Aphids can overwinter on plants and underneath leaves or mulch, with eggs hatching in early spring. Newly hatched larvae feed on plants and begin to lay eggs when they become adults. Most aphids are wingless and move by crawling, though some adults can develop wings. These pests occur in most climate zones.

HOW TO GET RID OF APHIDS ON ROSES

There are a number of safe organic methods to control aphids on roses. The use of chemical pesticides is not recommended, as they can cause harm to beneficial insects and wildlife. Here’s how to get rid of aphids on roses:

• Spray water. Apply a moderately strong spray of water to dislodge pests. Make sure the spray is strong enough to knock off the insects, but not so strong as to cause foliage and flowers to become damaged or stripped off the rose plant. Spray early in the day and allow foliage to dry out to help prevent the spread of fungal diseases.
• Use soap. A solution of water and soap is an effective pest control that can be used to kill aphids on your rose bushes. Use a mild liquid soap (not detergent), such as Ivory, and mix 1 tablespoon of soap with 1 quart of water. Apply with a spray bottle. You can also use a pre-mixed commercial insecticidal soap such as Safer’s brand.
• Apply neem oil. This natural pesticide is made from oil that is pressed from the seeds of neem trees (Azadirachta indica). Neem oil inhibits the ability of aphids to move and feed, interrupts the life cycle, and smothers the insects. Use neem oil according to instructions and make sure to coat the entire rose plant, including the undersides of leaves where aphids may be hiding. Learn more about how to use neem oil.
• Introduce insect predators. Green lacewings and ladybugs (also known as lady beetles) feed on aphids. Both are more effective at controlling aphids in the larval stage. Attract these natural enemies by including their favorite plants in your garden, such as dill, fennel, mint, Queen Anne’s lace, thyme, and yarrow. Live ladybugs and lacewing eggs can be purchased online or in nurseries and garden centers.
• Attract birds. Many songbirds such as finches, warblers, and sparrows feed on aphids. Provide water, food, shelter, and places to nest to attract and keep these birds in your yard.