Aphids control is important year-round but must increase in the summer when roses are more susceptible to a range of pests from aphids to fungus.
Commercial pesticides are available as well as natural or organic methods for ridding the garden of pests.
We'll look at some basic solutions you can make with everyday household ingredients that won't pollute the environment or harm children.
To find commercial organic solutions, check with local garden centers, chain stores, or environmentally friendly retail sources.
Wash The Aphids Keeping aphids off your roses is no simple task in mid-summer.
Roses' number one pest, aphids thrive in dry, hot summers.
If leaves on plants are dry, curling at the edges, or disfigured, there may already be a pest issue.
A good hard rain or spraying with a hose may wash some of the bugs away.
There are other options available to gardeners as well.
Hunt The Aphids Ladybugs - those cute red and black bugs we sing songs about and incorporate into contemporary design.
They love these annoying pests and can be the best aphids control product for your garden.
These little bugs can be purchased in bulk from garden shops or internet sites to be released in your garden.
Within days, the pesky aphids should be gone, though additional releases of ladybugs will likely be necessary over the summer.
Naturally occurring ladybugs are not in sufficient numbers to be effective in pest removal.
Other Critters For aphids and other bugs, the oldest tactic for bug removal is to pick the bugs off by hand and discard, either by squishing the bugs or placing in a bucket of warm soapy water.
Japanese beetles can be effectively eliminated with this technique, the best time to capture them is late evening.
Spider mites also prey on rose leaves, leaving web-like structures on the undersides of leaves.
Almost too small to be seen, they are best removed with strong bursts of water.
Commercial or Home-Made? Organic aphid treatments are the safest for ground water, youngsters, pets and the neighborhood air.
Some products can be purchased; some come from the kitchen cabinet.
A mixture of garlic juice and ground red pepper or liquid pepper sauce like Tabasco, makes an effective spray which repels not only small bugs, but deer and rabbits as well.
Spray it liberally on affected leaves - just avoid getting it on hands or in eyes.
Powdered milk, mixed with warm water makes a very gentle spray for rose plants.
Mix ½ cup powder to a quart of warm water.
This works for some pests; rain washes this solution away, so frequent applications might be necessary.
There are organic commercial products to kill bugs: sticky traps are little paper tents containing a hormone-like substance.
Hung on limbs or stakes, the bugs are lured in and get stuck to the surface.
Dispose a full trap away from the garden.
Neem Oil is a popular product, organically made from trees in the tropics.
This oil works effectively in controlling a range of rose pests without killing the 'good' bugs.
It is safe for animals and will not harm plants in the garden.
Give these products a try and if aphids are still a problem it's time to consult your local rose expert for more aggressive advice.
Remember to deal with bugs as soon as possible.
Continue watering and feeding for healthier, stronger plants able to resist bugs and fungal diseases.
Commercial pesticides are available as well as natural or organic methods for ridding the garden of pests.
We'll look at some basic solutions you can make with everyday household ingredients that won't pollute the environment or harm children.
To find commercial organic solutions, check with local garden centers, chain stores, or environmentally friendly retail sources.
Wash The Aphids Keeping aphids off your roses is no simple task in mid-summer.
Roses' number one pest, aphids thrive in dry, hot summers.
If leaves on plants are dry, curling at the edges, or disfigured, there may already be a pest issue.
A good hard rain or spraying with a hose may wash some of the bugs away.
There are other options available to gardeners as well.
Hunt The Aphids Ladybugs - those cute red and black bugs we sing songs about and incorporate into contemporary design.
They love these annoying pests and can be the best aphids control product for your garden.
These little bugs can be purchased in bulk from garden shops or internet sites to be released in your garden.
Within days, the pesky aphids should be gone, though additional releases of ladybugs will likely be necessary over the summer.
Naturally occurring ladybugs are not in sufficient numbers to be effective in pest removal.
Other Critters For aphids and other bugs, the oldest tactic for bug removal is to pick the bugs off by hand and discard, either by squishing the bugs or placing in a bucket of warm soapy water.
Japanese beetles can be effectively eliminated with this technique, the best time to capture them is late evening.
Spider mites also prey on rose leaves, leaving web-like structures on the undersides of leaves.
Almost too small to be seen, they are best removed with strong bursts of water.
Commercial or Home-Made? Organic aphid treatments are the safest for ground water, youngsters, pets and the neighborhood air.
Some products can be purchased; some come from the kitchen cabinet.
A mixture of garlic juice and ground red pepper or liquid pepper sauce like Tabasco, makes an effective spray which repels not only small bugs, but deer and rabbits as well.
Spray it liberally on affected leaves - just avoid getting it on hands or in eyes.
Powdered milk, mixed with warm water makes a very gentle spray for rose plants.
Mix ½ cup powder to a quart of warm water.
This works for some pests; rain washes this solution away, so frequent applications might be necessary.
There are organic commercial products to kill bugs: sticky traps are little paper tents containing a hormone-like substance.
Hung on limbs or stakes, the bugs are lured in and get stuck to the surface.
Dispose a full trap away from the garden.
Neem Oil is a popular product, organically made from trees in the tropics.
This oil works effectively in controlling a range of rose pests without killing the 'good' bugs.
It is safe for animals and will not harm plants in the garden.
Give these products a try and if aphids are still a problem it's time to consult your local rose expert for more aggressive advice.
Remember to deal with bugs as soon as possible.
Continue watering and feeding for healthier, stronger plants able to resist bugs and fungal diseases.