If you suddenly discover deformed and sticky, shiny leaves or damaged areas on the shoots on your roses, it is most likely an aphid infestation. These green, red or white plant lice are quite common on roses and feed on the nutritious plant sap. An infestation is so likely that there is even a subspecies that specializes in roses, the rose aphid. Fortunately, lice can be easily combated using simple means.
How do you fight aphids on roses?
To effectively combat aphids on roses, you can use home remedies such as a soft soap and spirit mixture, lavender oil or nettle manure. Alternatively, use natural predators such as ladybirds or lacewings or, in exceptional cases, use biological control agents.
Effectively prevent an infestation
Since prevention is known to be better than cure, you should prevent a possible aphid infestation in advance. Effective prevention begins when you purchase the roses; you should only purchase he althy, undamaged products with strong roots. If, on the other hand, the rose appears limp or even has wilted leaves or shoots, you should keep your hands off it. The likelihood of bringing a plant disease into your home or garden or attracting aphids is simply too high. The animals prefer to attack weakened plants, which is why further prevention is aimed at strengthening the roses. This in turn happens not only through special, herbal strengthening agents, but also through optimal site conditions and good care.
What to do if it's already too late? Fight aphids effectively
But even if you do everything right, aphids can settle on your roses. Act as quickly as possible to minimize the damage. In addition, the aphids are easier to control if they are infested in the early stages.
Home remedies for aphids
Various home remedies have proven to be effective, especially in the case of minor infestations. These are gentle on the plant but put an end to the unwanted aphids. These mainly include these three methods:
Treatment with soft soap and spirit
The mixture of soft soap and spirit has proven particularly effective in combating aphids, and there are various recipes. Instead of soap and spirits, you can also use dishwashing liquid and sunflower or rapeseed oil, although you should use unflavored products if possible. Ecological dishwashing detergents or those for sensitive skin are particularly suitable.
Tackling aphids with lavender oil
You have probably heard or read that you should plant roses and lavender together. In fact, this combination also looks very aesthetic in the garden and is effective against aphids, but the two types of plants have completely different needs in terms of location and care. Instead, you can attack the aphids with a mixture of water and a few drops of lavender oil, as the little creatures don't particularly like the aroma of this Mediterranean plant.
Use nettle manure against aphids
Stinging nettles are also not particularly popular with aphids, which is why treatment with nettle manure usually has a good effect. This product also has the advantage that it has a strengthening effect at the same time and also provides the rose with important nutrients - nettle manure is an excellent strengthening agent and a good fertilizer.
Fight aphids naturally
In addition to the home remedies described, various useful insects or their larvae can also be used to effectively combat aphids. Beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings, grove hoverflies and earwigs can be easily colonized with the help of an insect hotel. You can also purchase the animals you want and plant them directly in your garden.
Biological and chemical control agents
Biological and chemical control agents such as neem and others should be used as little as possible. These substances are not only toxic to aphids, but also to humans and other animals.
Tip
Where there are aphids, there are often ants too. Keep an eye out for these little crawlers and scare them away as soon as possible, as they can cause serious damage, especially to the roots of plants.
