Aphids are one of the biggest problems that can affect roses. They can be quite a nuisance, eating away at your rose bush and taking away some of the natural beauty. One of the best ways to prevent aphids is to spray your rose bushes regularly. But how often should you do that? We’ve done the research so that you can prevent aphids before they cause a problem.
How often you should spray roses depends on what time of year it is. When plants and insects are dormant in the winter, you should only spray roses once or twice for preventative measures. You should spray them about once per week during the growing seasons, especially if you’ve already noticed aphids.
But what type of spray is the best to use for aphids? How do you use the spray effectively? Are there sprays you can use that contain fewer chemicals? We’ll try to answer all of your questions in this article. Please continue reading to learn more.
How Often Should You Spray Your Roses For Aphids?
If there are aphids on your roses, you should be more deliberate with your spraying so that you can wipe them out. It is recommended to spray them once around every 7 days or so during the growing season. However, depending on the type of spray that you use, this could range between every 5 to 10 days until the aphids are gone.
The reason for this time frame is that some sprays are more powerful than others. But even the most powerful spray likely won’t kill all the aphids the first time. Spraying routinely allows time for new, younger aphids to be killed before they have a chance to lay eggs as well. As long as aphids keep laying eggs and the eggs keep hatching, the problem will continue.
Are All Types Of Roses Affected By Aphids?
Many different varieties of roses can grow in multiple different zones. With so many rose varieties as well as zones that have different climates, you may assume that aphids won’t be a problem because you’ve never seen any, or your roses are marketed as being low maintenance.
Yes, it’s true that some varieties of roses require less care than others. But all types of roses are susceptible to aphids, especially in the warmer climates with a longer growing season. Different species of aphids can affect roses, but the most common ones are known as rose aphids.
What Kinds Of Problems Can Aphids Cause?
Sometimes when people see a few aphids on their plants, they aren’t concerned. After all, many rose bushes can withstand a certain amount of aphids without sustaining much damage. But the issue with aphids is that they can reproduce quickly, and a few aphids can soon turn into an infestation.
An infestation can cause a lot of harm to roses that have been healthy up until this point. Obviously, aphids feed off the rose bushes just like other insects do. But when aphids feed, they do so by sucking the sap out of the plant tissues.
Sucking the sap out of the rose bushes causes a sweet substance to form. This substance is known as honeydew, and it can attract ants. The ants help to protect the aphids so that they don’t get eaten by other insects. If the aphids aren’t being eaten naturally, they can continue to reproduce and worsen the infestation.
The honeydew can also cause a fungus called black mold to grow on the rose bush. This could end up killing the rose bush eventually if the aphid infestation isn’t taken care of. So as you can see, aphids can cause larger problems for rose bushes other than just using them as a food source.
What Can You Use To Spray Roses For Aphids?
Chemical Insecticides
The most effective spray to use on rose bushes is a chemical insecticide spray. You can use an all-purpose plant spray, or you can use a spray that is specifically targeted for roses. Follow the instructions on the packaging for how to use it. It's also a good idea to water your roses before using insecticides because they can burn the plant.
However, when using chemical insecticides on plants, it’s important to note that not only will they kill aphids and other harmful insects, but beneficial insects (such as ladybugs that eat aphids) as well. It’s best to only use these for severe infestations or as a last result after you’ve tried a method that uses fewer chemicals.
Dish Detergent
Another option you can try is to use dish detergent. It contains fewer chemicals than insecticides, so it won't harm helpful insects that may also visit your rose bush. But, the spray has to come into direct contact with the aphids to kill them, so you will need to be more careful with how you use it.
To make the spray, it's crucial that you only use mild, unscented dish soap. You don't want to use dish soaps that are fragranced or heavy-duty soaps because they could harm the plant in the process. The recipe to make the spray is five tablespoons of soap per gallon of water. Pour some into a spray bottle to spray on your roses.
You'll want to use a spray bottle that has a wide stream because it will cover more of the plant. It's essential to make sure that the spray covers the aphids. When using the spray, test it on a hidden area of the plant first to ensure it doesn't cause damage. Let it sit overnight and check it the next day.
If the soap doesn't harm the plant, it should be safe to use. Spray from a distance of about 12 inches away from the plant, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Focus specifically on rosebuds and the underside of leaves. You'll likely find more aphids there. Repeat every 5 to 7 days until the aphids are gone.
See more: How To Get Rid Of Black Aphids [A Complete Guide]
Will Vinegar Kill Aphids On Roses?
You can use vinegar to kill aphids as long as it is diluted, but it is not one of the recommended methods, especially for long-term use. The reason is that the acidic properties of vinegar will kill the aphids, but it could also damage or even kill the plant if you use it too frequently.
How Do You Keep Aphids Off Roses?
If aphids can cause such large problems to rose bushes, how can you keep them off your roses? The key is to take preventative measures before the aphids become a problem. You will want to treat the plants in the winter while plants and insects are dormant.
It’s recommended to use an insecticide spray on the rose bushes to kill any insects that may be nesting around the bush for the winter. To do this, you don’t need to spray the bush itself. Instead, you should spray the ground around the rose bush at the beginning of winter.
Towards the end of winter, you should spray both the rose bush and the ground around it. This is done to kill any aphids or other insects that remain and protect the rose bush before any potential new insects arrive in spring. Once spring comes, you will want to routinely spray the plant once per week.
Click here to see this insecticide and disease spray on Amazon. It’s safe to use on most plants, including roses.
See more: How To Care For Roses During Winter [5 Actionable Tips]
What Time Of Day Is Best To Spray Roses?
You will want to spray your roses as early in the morning as you can before it gets too hot. You will want to wait until after the sun is up so that the sun can help to dry the spray. But you don’t want to wait until the sun gets too hot, as this could cause the spray to burn the plant.
How Long Does It Take To Kill Aphids?
Whether you use insecticide spray, dish soap, or something else to kill aphids, using it regularly is key to removing all of the aphids as quickly as possible. If you stick to a schedule, you can kill all of the aphids in as little as two weeks. But if you don't use them frequently or regularly, you are prolonging the problem because the aphids will continue to reproduce.
In Closing
Aphids on your rose bushes can be a nuisance, but they don't have to be a massive problem if you treat them quickly and effectively. Insecticide sprays are effective but may kill other insects in the process. Dish detergent sprays are safer but require more frequent use. Whatever you choose, we hope that you can rid your rose bushes of aphids once and for all. Thanks for reading!